PulteGroup is Testing Smarter, Healthier and More Sustainable Homes at America’s First Solar-Powered Town

National Homebuilder Partners with Ford to Create the “Home of the Future” on Innovation Way

PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, has built a living laboratory to explore how homeowners will live in the not-so-distant future. Located on “Innovation Way” within Babcock Ranch, America’s first and largest solar-powered town near Fort Myers, Florida, PulteGroup has unveiled two model homes that, while not yet for sale, are testing the latest, and in some cases, not yet commercially available, advancements in sustainable new home technologies and innovations. With More Life Built In, these Pulte Homes models include integration with the new, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning vehicle to create backup power and energy management solutions.

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“Among our core values is foresight for the future, where we are thinking, planning and testing for how people will interact and live within their homes,” said Ryan Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of PulteGroup. “At Innovation Way, we are making the future right at home with cutting-edge technology and homebuilding strategies that represent a new era of smart, comfortable, healthy and sustainable living. Over time, the performance of these homes will provide valuable insight into how we innovate our homes and delight buyers well into the future.”

Built Ford Tough on the Road and at Home
At its homes on Innovation Way, PulteGroup is collaborating with Ford and Sunrun to test how the Ford Intelligent Backup Power system of the F-150 Lightning can serve as a critical lifeline to homeowners during power outages. Both the Home Integration System and the Charge Station Pro are built right into the Pulte home. Once plugged in, a fully charged F-150 Lightning can provide the home with power for up to three days during an outage, or as long as 10 days when used in conjunction with rationing or solar power^*. The truck can also optimize the home’s energy usage when bidirectional power is combined with other lower-carbon energy sources to help manage energy costs and consumption.

“Ford is committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution with new features that can make people’s lives better and more rewarding. We will continue to work with innovative companies like PulteGroup to demonstrate how the future may look…today,” said Matt Stover, Ford Global Director of Charging and Energy Services. “The ability to showcase, test and learn from the energy storage capabilities of F-150 Lighting in a real-life home setting provides us with valuable knowledge for how electric vehicles can help drive performance, capability and productivity at home, as well as on the road.”

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Responsive Home Innovations
Found within the 2,400+ and 3,600+ square-foot, single- and two-story Pulte homes are innovative products and technologies designed to make the future healthier, more productive, comfortable, safer, and responsive to the world around us at home. While just a sampling, included in the test model homes are:

• Wi-Fi enabled lighting, load centers, thermostats, and kitchen appliances that make it easy for homeowners to control their homes from their phone or sound of their voice
• Moen® Flo Smart Water Security System to monitor and prevent leaks with whole home eco-friendly water filtration
• Smart Kitchen faucets and bathroom shower controls that are voice controlled and hands-free
• Broan® Ventilation System providing fresh air circulation that protects against bacteria, mold, and fungi growth with a series of wall plugs and sensors that identify pollutants and automatically engages ventilation
• JennAir® and KitchenAid® smart kitchen appliances that connect to WiFi for personalized options and real-time notifications
• Super Energy Efficient Lennox HVAC System with PureAir System for indoor air quality enhancement
• Rinnai® recirculating tankless water heater with Smart-Circ™ that provides faster hot water
• Rheia HVAC delivery system to improve overall A/C and eliminate bulk duct systems
• High Efficiency Low E impact windows and spray foam ceiling insulation to improve performance and comfort
• Smart Electrical Panel with Remote On/Off Capability that monitors energy usage by circuit
• Foam Block with Six-Inch Poured Solid Concrete Exterior Wall System and R-22 performance
• Back up battery system provided by Florida Power & Light (FPL) to increase energy resiliency and monitor usage
• Artificial turf in backyards that require little to no maintenance and are environmentally friendly
• Permeable drive and walkway pavers that allow water to percolate back into the ground instead of via storm water system

Over the next two years, Florida Power & Light (FPL) will collect, analyze and compare the homes’ energy consumption data, with the goal of identifying the most relevant and impactful innovations in sustainability for the homebuyers of tomorrow. Through this data collection and analysis, PulteGroup will receive actionable insights into which specific features and combinations are viable on a larger scale.

“Through the design, construction and unveiling of these trailblazing homes, we have been fortunate to collaborate with partners that share our commitment to innovation and quality,” said Richard McCormick, Florida Area President of PulteGroup. “In addition to Ford, FPL and Babcock Ranch developer Kitson & Partners, we are grateful to our collaborators at Moen, Whirlpool, Lennox, Sonos, Broan, Sunrun, Rheia and all of our many supplier partners for embarking on this exciting journey with us.”

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