These aren’t the greatest of times to be in the housing industry, but for the consumers the benefit comes from how homebuilders are trying to differentiate themselves. That means bundling cool A/V and automation technology into your new home, as well as working in ways to make today’s new homes energy efficient.

The Innovative Housing Technology Awards (IHTA) recognize the advances and practices by manufacturers, electronic systems installers and builders to bring such solutions to the home. Electronic House sister publication TecHome Builder presents these awards, which received a record 110 entries this year.

Winners will be chosen later this week, but you can check out the descriptions of the entries online and see for yourself what goodies are going into the housing market these days. Head over to www.techomebuilder.com and click on the different categories.

Announcement of the winners takes place during the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) show in San Francisco.

Among the installer and builder categories are:

• Home Technology Integrator Excellence: Admit One Home Cinema (4 entries); Advanced Communication Technologies; ArchiTechKnowlogy Design Group; Audio Video Design; Cobalt Automation, Inc.; Comfort Radiant Heating, LLC; Enhanced Home Systems, Inc.; Hi-Tech Home; S&S Electric; STARDOT Automation; Video Audio Design, Inc.; Whitetail Electronics
• Coolest New Electronic House: Brilloso, A Premier Design Build Company; M/I Homes of Tampa, L.L.C.
• Effective Merchandising & Marketing: Fulton Homes; Schumacher Homes
• Excellent Connected Community: Dunham Marsh; The Plaza-Irvine
• Integrated Excellence: Royce Builders; Veridian Homes

Arlen Schweiger - Editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen writes about home technology installations and product news and reviews for electronichouse.com and Electronic House magazine.