7 High-Tech Home Improvements You'll Thank Yourself For
Want to turn up the heat, quick-boil some water or turn on the music without having to get up? You're in luck – technology’s got you covered
User
1 March 2015
At the age of 7, I was asked to write what life would be like in the 21st century. I imagined a world run by robots taking the drudgery out of our daily tasks. That was the 1980s, and not in my wildest dreams did I conceive of a ‘learning’ heating system operated from a mobile phone, or a home misting system to put out fires before they take hold. Thanks to forward-thinking engineers and designers who have embraced the possibilities of new technology, our home lives have become easier, safer and more comfortable.
Like it or not, technological advances are transforming the way we live. The boundaries between human and machine are blurring and the relationship between the individual and our homes is radically changing. The so-called ‘internet of things’, where everyday devices can communicate over the internet, promises to revolutionise home life. Here are some examples of designs for modern living. Have you tried any of them? Which others would you add or like to see?
Like it or not, technological advances are transforming the way we live. The boundaries between human and machine are blurring and the relationship between the individual and our homes is radically changing. The so-called ‘internet of things’, where everyday devices can communicate over the internet, promises to revolutionise home life. Here are some examples of designs for modern living. Have you tried any of them? Which others would you add or like to see?
Adjust the temperature from your phone
A new breed of thermostat learns your temperature desires and adjusts your heating according to the weather. Some can track how far away from home you are. Designed to save money and energy, it can be controlled from your smartphone or computer. Coming home from work or a trip away? Just let the thermostat know and your house will be nice and cool when you return.
A new breed of thermostat learns your temperature desires and adjusts your heating according to the weather. Some can track how far away from home you are. Designed to save money and energy, it can be controlled from your smartphone or computer. Coming home from work or a trip away? Just let the thermostat know and your house will be nice and cool when you return.
Put out fires instantly
A smoke alarm that tells you there’s a fire, then puts it out, is a no-brainer for home safety. This kitchen is fitted with an Automist system that emits a fine mist to starve a fire of oxygen. It can be fitted under your sink or, in this case, to discreet nozzles in the wall attached to the mains water.
It has the added benefit of meeting fire regulations in open-plan kitchen designs, so you can do away with fire-proof doors and protected escape routes. A traditional sprinkler system would do the same job, but it can be more complicated to install and uses more water in the event of a fire.
A smoke alarm that tells you there’s a fire, then puts it out, is a no-brainer for home safety. This kitchen is fitted with an Automist system that emits a fine mist to starve a fire of oxygen. It can be fitted under your sink or, in this case, to discreet nozzles in the wall attached to the mains water.
It has the added benefit of meeting fire regulations in open-plan kitchen designs, so you can do away with fire-proof doors and protected escape routes. A traditional sprinkler system would do the same job, but it can be more complicated to install and uses more water in the event of a fire.
Boil water in a flash
They say a watched kettle never boils, but that’s not an issue with an instant boiling-water tap. Fitted beside the main kitchen tap, you can make a cuppa or fill up your pans for pasta at the touch of a button.
They say a watched kettle never boils, but that’s not an issue with an instant boiling-water tap. Fitted beside the main kitchen tap, you can make a cuppa or fill up your pans for pasta at the touch of a button.
Listen to music in every room
Another internet-enabled invention, the wireless sound system lets you listen to your favourite music or radio programs all around the house, with wireless speakers placed in every room. Link it up to your music streaming or iTunes account and you can control it all from your phone, tablet or computer.
In this design, the owner has opted for a Sonos sound bar, which is designed to enhance the sound from your TV as well as acting as a speaker for your music listening needs.
Another internet-enabled invention, the wireless sound system lets you listen to your favourite music or radio programs all around the house, with wireless speakers placed in every room. Link it up to your music streaming or iTunes account and you can control it all from your phone, tablet or computer.
In this design, the owner has opted for a Sonos sound bar, which is designed to enhance the sound from your TV as well as acting as a speaker for your music listening needs.
Make vacuuming a breeze
The central vacuum system is a convenience-driven innovation. It has a central unit installed in a suitable place, such as a garage or under the stairs. Vacuum points are then built-in around your home and linked to the main unit. You plug a lightweight hose into the vacuum points and clean the room as normal, with the dust sucked into the main unit through pipes in the walls, or behind the skirting boards.
Vacuum sweep points (as shown in this picture) allow you to sweep all your dirt and dust away. No more lugging around a vacuum from room to room, getting tangled up in cords.
The central vacuum system is a convenience-driven innovation. It has a central unit installed in a suitable place, such as a garage or under the stairs. Vacuum points are then built-in around your home and linked to the main unit. You plug a lightweight hose into the vacuum points and clean the room as normal, with the dust sucked into the main unit through pipes in the walls, or behind the skirting boards.
Vacuum sweep points (as shown in this picture) allow you to sweep all your dirt and dust away. No more lugging around a vacuum from room to room, getting tangled up in cords.
Check up on your house from afar
Wherever you are, you can keep an eye on your home with remotely controlled CCTV cameras. Again, it’s all managed through your phone, tablet or computer. Love it or hate it, home security has never been so convenient. Can you resist the temptation not to spy?
Wherever you are, you can keep an eye on your home with remotely controlled CCTV cameras. Again, it’s all managed through your phone, tablet or computer. Love it or hate it, home security has never been so convenient. Can you resist the temptation not to spy?
Never have to cut the lawn again
Originally designed for sports tournaments, artificial or ‘fake’ grass has moved into a range of commercial and residential settings to create the sense of a green garden inside and out.
Innovations in the design have led to much more natural-looking and softer versions, and it’s even won awards at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. So for gardens where lawns just won’t grow or are heavily used, or for areas that need a bit of greening up, artificial grass takes away the need to sow, mow and water.
TELL US
Are these innovations a good thing, or do you prefer to keep things simple? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ideas for Keeping Your Tech Organised
11 High-Tech Gizmos and Gadgets for the Bathroom
Over-the-Top (but Seriously Sexy) High-Tech Home Improvements
Originally designed for sports tournaments, artificial or ‘fake’ grass has moved into a range of commercial and residential settings to create the sense of a green garden inside and out.
Innovations in the design have led to much more natural-looking and softer versions, and it’s even won awards at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK. So for gardens where lawns just won’t grow or are heavily used, or for areas that need a bit of greening up, artificial grass takes away the need to sow, mow and water.
TELL US
Are these innovations a good thing, or do you prefer to keep things simple? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
10 Ideas for Keeping Your Tech Organised
11 High-Tech Gizmos and Gadgets for the Bathroom
Over-the-Top (but Seriously Sexy) High-Tech Home Improvements
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Thanks
Another great article - happy to say that we have installed such systems in many of our projects and have had great feedback. Home automation is rapidly becoming more popular and will certainly be more prevalent in 2017.
Here's an example of the kind of smart home control that we install that controls these kinds of systems. All done through a mobile device, be it your phone or an iPad for example.