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Smart Home Trends You Need to Know About
The latest trends in smart home technology are all about improving our lives and the planet
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With homeowners keen to do their bit for the environment, while also ensuring that their daily routines are that little bit easier, installing smart home technology into your clients’ homes is definitely the answer!
According to the 2019 UK Houzz & Home Renovation Study, one in eight UK homeowners prioritise smart technology during home renovations, purchasing products like home assistants, streaming media players and smart thermostats.
Homes are getting smarter thanks to innovative wireless technology enabling homeowners to remotely control their heating, lighting, security systems and even electrical appliances. And by staying in control of their homes’ entire systems, from wherever they are and whenever it’s needed, owners can adapt their home to suit their family’s routines, manage energy output to reduce the impact on the environment, and start saving some cash in the long run.
Read on to get the lowdown on the latest trends in smart home technology and for top tips on how to start introducing it into your clients’ homes to create a more easy and efficient lifestyle.
According to the 2019 UK Houzz & Home Renovation Study, one in eight UK homeowners prioritise smart technology during home renovations, purchasing products like home assistants, streaming media players and smart thermostats.
Homes are getting smarter thanks to innovative wireless technology enabling homeowners to remotely control their heating, lighting, security systems and even electrical appliances. And by staying in control of their homes’ entire systems, from wherever they are and whenever it’s needed, owners can adapt their home to suit their family’s routines, manage energy output to reduce the impact on the environment, and start saving some cash in the long run.
Read on to get the lowdown on the latest trends in smart home technology and for top tips on how to start introducing it into your clients’ homes to create a more easy and efficient lifestyle.
What to Expect This Year…
With more innovative additions being added to smart home technologies each year, there’s still one overriding winner – smart heating controls. “Homeowners have quickly started to see the benefits of being able to control their heating and hot water more accurately, such as being able to turn it on via their smart phones just before they leave work for home,” says Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider UK Electrician Partner. “But this year we’ll see more advancements in how you can control these smart systems, such as being able to set individual room temperatures rather that heating the whole house, which will save people money in the long run.”
Another emerging smart home trend is remotely viewable
cameras and smart doorbells that instantly alert the homeowner to someone’s presence. “I’ve noticed a very big increase in smart security, especially cameras,” Phill continues. “The fact that you can talk through the camera is a big deterrent – if someone is where they shouldn’t be and they hear a voice, they’re not going to stick around for long, especially if they know they’re being recorded!”
With more innovative additions being added to smart home technologies each year, there’s still one overriding winner – smart heating controls. “Homeowners have quickly started to see the benefits of being able to control their heating and hot water more accurately, such as being able to turn it on via their smart phones just before they leave work for home,” says Phill Ratcliffe, a Schneider UK Electrician Partner. “But this year we’ll see more advancements in how you can control these smart systems, such as being able to set individual room temperatures rather that heating the whole house, which will save people money in the long run.”
Another emerging smart home trend is remotely viewable
cameras and smart doorbells that instantly alert the homeowner to someone’s presence. “I’ve noticed a very big increase in smart security, especially cameras,” Phill continues. “The fact that you can talk through the camera is a big deterrent – if someone is where they shouldn’t be and they hear a voice, they’re not going to stick around for long, especially if they know they’re being recorded!”
…More Customisation
Being able to customise the heating, lighting and security systems for a property creates a home that’s totally in tune with the family’s needs. “As well as being asked to install the popular integrated systems that can connect all your home’s devices, such as dimmers, plugs and sensors, I’m also being asked to install new smart ovens for customers,” says Phill. “This allows users to set the oven to preheat in advance, to save you time when you get home.”
Thanks to the latest smart technology, homeowners can also customise their kitchens to suit their favourite morning rituals. For example, setting the coffee machine to turn on ready for your morning cuppa.
Being able to customise the heating, lighting and security systems for a property creates a home that’s totally in tune with the family’s needs. “As well as being asked to install the popular integrated systems that can connect all your home’s devices, such as dimmers, plugs and sensors, I’m also being asked to install new smart ovens for customers,” says Phill. “This allows users to set the oven to preheat in advance, to save you time when you get home.”
Thanks to the latest smart technology, homeowners can also customise their kitchens to suit their favourite morning rituals. For example, setting the coffee machine to turn on ready for your morning cuppa.
The key is to consider the level of customisation your customers want, and what will fit within their budget – you can automate one area at a time and gradually build up how much of the home is customised. “My advice for anyone new to smart home technology is to start with smart lights and lamps. They are relatively inexpensive and are usually voice controlled. Then as you get brave, move to smart heating controls, cameras door locks, and alarms systems,” says Phill.
…Even More Voice-activated Technology
With the rise in popularity of products like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, expect to see more smart systems being paired with integrated all-in-one solutions, to offer endless options. Open the door after work, tell the house you have arrived and your voice-activated system will instantly create your pre-set atmosphere, from lighting to heating, and even music.
With the rise in popularity of products like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, expect to see more smart systems being paired with integrated all-in-one solutions, to offer endless options. Open the door after work, tell the house you have arrived and your voice-activated system will instantly create your pre-set atmosphere, from lighting to heating, and even music.
…Better Control of Your Energy Consumption
With the climate crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds as we head into a new decade, homeowners can now do their bit for the environment by controlling their homes’ energy and water usage. With a simple mobile app, they can monitor their home’s energy consumption from wherever they are – and are able to see who is using the most energy in the household, while setting targets to make sure they don’t use too much.
“People are starting to sit up and think more about the impact we are all having on the environment, and how we can cut our carbon footprint on this fragile planet of ours,” says Phill. “From my interaction with customers as an electrician, I’d like to think I influence them into installing such things as LED lighting and smart controls. These offer two benefits: reducing the energy consumed by the household, and reducing their annual bill. It’s a win-win situation.”
More: Learn more about Schneider’s innovative smart home technology here. Plus, click here to discover the perfect switch style for your client’s project.
Tell us: Which of these smart home technologies do you think you’ll be incorporating in customers’ homes? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
This story was written by the Sponsored Content Team
With the climate crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds as we head into a new decade, homeowners can now do their bit for the environment by controlling their homes’ energy and water usage. With a simple mobile app, they can monitor their home’s energy consumption from wherever they are – and are able to see who is using the most energy in the household, while setting targets to make sure they don’t use too much.
“People are starting to sit up and think more about the impact we are all having on the environment, and how we can cut our carbon footprint on this fragile planet of ours,” says Phill. “From my interaction with customers as an electrician, I’d like to think I influence them into installing such things as LED lighting and smart controls. These offer two benefits: reducing the energy consumed by the household, and reducing their annual bill. It’s a win-win situation.”
More: Learn more about Schneider’s innovative smart home technology here. Plus, click here to discover the perfect switch style for your client’s project.
Tell us: Which of these smart home technologies do you think you’ll be incorporating in customers’ homes? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
This story was written by the Sponsored Content Team
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
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