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4 Reasons to Improve Your Home’s IQ
A quarter of Australian homes are investing in smart technology, should you?
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‘Smart homes’ – in other words, homes that use intelligent, automated systems to control and monitor household functions – are gathering momentum in Australia. Current research suggests that the average Australian household has 13.7 internet connected devices in 2017, and according to another recent study, one in four Australian homes are now considered to be smart.
Due to recent advancements, smart home technology (also known as home automation or ‘domotics’ – like robotics, get it?) is going way beyond the ability to personalise your home lighting preferences or check your straighteners are off. “A smart home is much more than a Wi-Fi-enabled speaker system,” says Ben Clarke, home automation expert at Schneider Electric. “Home automation technology aims to simplify your life and can do so in endless ways from creating a safer home to designing a more energy-efficient and connected one,” he says.
Due to recent advancements, smart home technology (also known as home automation or ‘domotics’ – like robotics, get it?) is going way beyond the ability to personalise your home lighting preferences or check your straighteners are off. “A smart home is much more than a Wi-Fi-enabled speaker system,” says Ben Clarke, home automation expert at Schneider Electric. “Home automation technology aims to simplify your life and can do so in endless ways from creating a safer home to designing a more energy-efficient and connected one,” he says.
Above all, smart technology is allowing us to design homes that better suit our lifestyle needs, whether you opt for small, entry-level solutions or fully-integrated designs. Fans of Channel 9’s The Block will remember an example of the latter. Season 12’s ‘Challenge Apartment‘ (pictured), in collaboration with Clipsal by Schneider Electric, integrated everything from sensors and voice control to security systems and entertainment, “plus a whole host of fun things connected to some of the appliances, like the coffee machine, shower, blinds and air conditioning,” says Clarke.
1. We Live in a World That’s Connected
Perhaps the main reason why Australian homes are becoming smarter is due to advances in tech and the busy world we live in. “Smart home technology is all about improving comfort and convenience – with today’s technology, you can adapt your home environment to suit your lifestyle and this is definitely one of the big attractions,” says Clarke. It’s no coincidence that in the background the National Broadband Network (NBN) is striving to create a faster and more reliable broadband service to keep up.
Today’s modern Australian homes are equipped with numerous IoT-driven (Internet of Things, also known as ‘Connected Devices’) that can be controlled by an integrated automation network. From exhaust fans, heated towel rails and irrigation systems to audio-visual devices including TVs, DVD players and set-top boxes, you can save time and effort by pressing a button.
It’s the little luxuries. A huge benefit of this industry is to provide everyday convenience, but don’t forget those daily luxuries. For example, those fearful of the winter chill can now come home to a garage door that automatically opens, lights that come on outside, a just-warm home and the kettle boiling – oh, and the latest episode of Game of Thrones at the ready.
Perhaps the main reason why Australian homes are becoming smarter is due to advances in tech and the busy world we live in. “Smart home technology is all about improving comfort and convenience – with today’s technology, you can adapt your home environment to suit your lifestyle and this is definitely one of the big attractions,” says Clarke. It’s no coincidence that in the background the National Broadband Network (NBN) is striving to create a faster and more reliable broadband service to keep up.
Today’s modern Australian homes are equipped with numerous IoT-driven (Internet of Things, also known as ‘Connected Devices’) that can be controlled by an integrated automation network. From exhaust fans, heated towel rails and irrigation systems to audio-visual devices including TVs, DVD players and set-top boxes, you can save time and effort by pressing a button.
It’s the little luxuries. A huge benefit of this industry is to provide everyday convenience, but don’t forget those daily luxuries. For example, those fearful of the winter chill can now come home to a garage door that automatically opens, lights that come on outside, a just-warm home and the kettle boiling – oh, and the latest episode of Game of Thrones at the ready.
2. It’s Easier to Set Up Than You Think
If you’re expecting lots of messy cables, holes in the walls and expensive installation, think again. These days, smart technology can be both cost-effective and become virtually invisible in the home.
If you’re new to smart technology, consider a wireless solution which can be added to a new or existing home and won’t impact your home’s wiring. Plus, consider building up your automated solutions one at a time. For example, you could start by setting up lighting scenes or voice control for your sound system. Finally, if you need help, advice or inspiration, get in touch with an EcoXpert who can help you design and deploy a range of smart technologies.
Wifi coverage is key. It’s important to remember that an established home network is crucial when creating a ‘smart home’ – without a solid network the functionality will be limited.
If you’re expecting lots of messy cables, holes in the walls and expensive installation, think again. These days, smart technology can be both cost-effective and become virtually invisible in the home.
If you’re new to smart technology, consider a wireless solution which can be added to a new or existing home and won’t impact your home’s wiring. Plus, consider building up your automated solutions one at a time. For example, you could start by setting up lighting scenes or voice control for your sound system. Finally, if you need help, advice or inspiration, get in touch with an EcoXpert who can help you design and deploy a range of smart technologies.
Wifi coverage is key. It’s important to remember that an established home network is crucial when creating a ‘smart home’ – without a solid network the functionality will be limited.
3. It Can Help You Live Greener
To understand why home automation is taking the country by storm, we have to look beyond the smart (and let’s face it, fun) features like automatically turning on your coffee machine on a Sunday morning. In fact, smart tech is helping to improve society’s environmental impact, something that’s really important to many eco-conscious Australians.
Smart home technology such as PUSH Controls can ensure your home is the optimum temperature no matter the season. You can now switch your heating on remotely just before arriving home from work, so you don’t need to leave it on throughout the day. Or set your air con to come on only when the indoor temperature reaches a certain point.
Furthermore, with the PUSH Controls app, you can also keep a close eye on energy use – a great way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
C-Bus Saturn Zen Switch in ‘Black’
To understand why home automation is taking the country by storm, we have to look beyond the smart (and let’s face it, fun) features like automatically turning on your coffee machine on a Sunday morning. In fact, smart tech is helping to improve society’s environmental impact, something that’s really important to many eco-conscious Australians.
Smart home technology such as PUSH Controls can ensure your home is the optimum temperature no matter the season. You can now switch your heating on remotely just before arriving home from work, so you don’t need to leave it on throughout the day. Or set your air con to come on only when the indoor temperature reaches a certain point.
Furthermore, with the PUSH Controls app, you can also keep a close eye on energy use – a great way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
C-Bus Saturn Zen Switch in ‘Black’
By controlling the items in your home that are the most expensive to run, such as climate systems like heating and cooling, lighting and electrical appliances, you will save money, Package that up with a simple energy management tool, and you can monitor your energy consumption 24/7.
4. Safety and Security
Studies show that one of the primary reasons consumers purchase smart home technology is to keep their families safe whether they’re home or away. CCTV cameras, alarm panels, automated locks, and intercoms are fast becoming must-have items. This security technology also forms part of the smart home eco-system, where lighting, blinds and sensors are intrinsically connected. For example, an alarm is triggered, then all of the lights automatically turn on fully, and homeowners are alerted on their smart phones.
How secure? As more and more homes become connected, manufacturers are developing software and technologies that ensure safety of these devices. “This year, we will see increased efforts in data encryption and authentication of physical security, as well as at-home security systems with biometric intelligence to recognise faces, voices and thumbprints,” says Clarke. “We’ll also see a stronger push towards keeping devices safe from cyber threats.”
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Studies show that one of the primary reasons consumers purchase smart home technology is to keep their families safe whether they’re home or away. CCTV cameras, alarm panels, automated locks, and intercoms are fast becoming must-have items. This security technology also forms part of the smart home eco-system, where lighting, blinds and sensors are intrinsically connected. For example, an alarm is triggered, then all of the lights automatically turn on fully, and homeowners are alerted on their smart phones.
How secure? As more and more homes become connected, manufacturers are developing software and technologies that ensure safety of these devices. “This year, we will see increased efforts in data encryption and authentication of physical security, as well as at-home security systems with biometric intelligence to recognise faces, voices and thumbprints,” says Clarke. “We’ll also see a stronger push towards keeping devices safe from cyber threats.”
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Does wi-fi still operate when power is out or the internet is down? For a smart home idea. I would like curtains closing at a set temperature.
AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for sharing about smart home technology! It’s a Genius!!! Nowadays People's are making home more n more smarter for using smart technologies.
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