After what has been a challenging year for many industries, we take a look at the impact Covid-19 has had on the smart home sector and what 2021 has in store.
Predictions of growth in the smart technology and home automation in 2019/20 were for there to be huge growth in both sales and awareness. Some of the biggest technology and retail industries started to take an interest in the market and Amazon and Google both developed a range of IoT devices to meet consumer demand.
Developers too started including some of these IoT devices as optional or added upgrades in luxury residential developments, including Nest or Hive smart heating controls and voice-controlled lighting and entertainment packages.
Hardwired or retrofitted systems such as the Loxone system however were less widely known and developers were still wary of including them as a standard feature of new developments. With Covid-19 changing the way many people now use their homes, the last six months have seen a huge spike in demand for home automation.
More than ever before people are repurposing rooms to use as office, gym and entertainment spaces. We are becoming increasingly conscious of living in a way which is more cost and energy efficient. As we spend more time than ever at home, we are starting to look for new ways to maximise the potential of our homes both aesthetically and in the way they function. Automation and smart living are becoming the go-to solution to solve these problems.
In countries across Europe such as Germany, recent surveys show that as many as 4 in 10 people already use smart devices with 72% saying it offers more comfort and quality of life. A recent article in tech publication Hidden Wires Magazine points to a growing number of homeowners looking to use automated heating, lighting, security, and entertainment in 2021 in the UK too.
With this new awareness and demand for automation, developers too are now starting to look at including comprehensive systems in new build properties. According to professional journal Building.co.uk “Installing smart home technology during the building process is typically easier and less expensive than installing the same technology in completed properties.
In addition, offering homes that feature smart lighting, smart heating controls and other smart products helps homebuilders differentiate themselves from their competitors and encourages buyers.”
So what system to use and what features will really improve both your life and the future value of your property? For us at potes, we have always felt that simplicity for the end user and reliability are of paramount importance when deciding on a system. When we discovered the Loxone Smart Home System we felt that it had incredible functionality and an easy to use interface for the end user.
After years running the system in our own home and show home without fault or issues, we are also confident it is robust and reliable and our clients to date agree. As to what features of the home you should automate, our guide to intelligent living gives a breakdown of the key features of home automation and their benefits.