In recent years, there’s been a noticeable spike in the appearance of smart home technology throughout the world. We’re at the point where you even see smart appliances and gadgets being mentioned in house listings. Smart technology has managed to keep its word of making homes a more convenient place to live with algorithmic devices like thermostats and lighting, to keeping tabs on your food inventory using smart refrigerators.
Smart home technology has certainly accrued a substantial consumer following with many individuals anxiously awaiting the next generation of gadgets and electronics. The future of smart home technology won’t necessarily focus on what potential additions can make a residence “smarter.” Instead, the future might focus on how these gadgets and devices can be incorporated into the home as more of a standard feature. As we await the next generation to take shape, there are several ways and methods consumers and retailers alike will improve the overall efficiency of current and future smart home technologies.
1. Full Device Automation
Home automation devices like Google Home, Amazon Echo, and the (soon to be released) Apple HomePod are among the industry’s most popular devices. The next step for this technology and its consumers would be a true automation hub, allowing more devices to connect with a central bridge or hub for wireless use. Consumers would control these features using a remote control panel, tablet, or smartphone. The ideal home automation hub allows the user to monitor their home’s security, climate, sound, lights, and other aspects from a central device.
2. Mitigate Electricity Expenses
Along with convenience, smart home technologies obviously aim to achieve efficiency. Technologies on the rise like solar and home batteries are some that consumers have probably heard of in recent months, as companies like Tesla are unveiling products such as solar roofs and powerwalls. Since many people complain about the appearance of solar panels, efficiency and convenience is achieved in these concepts using a more artistic approach.
Technologies like these harness solar cells to power homes, but appear as normal roof shingles. Since solar power can be utilized instantly or stored for later, home batteries (like the powerwall) can store large quantities of energy for future use. Not only will these devices save smart home residents hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, but this could turn into a widespread trend among this industry’s consumers. As interest in solar technology rises, so will the popularity of home batteries and solar-based systems.
3. Non-Electric Smart Technology
Yes, gadgets and devices with “smart” capabilities like this do in fact exist. Smart technology features like windows are a good example of taking the electronic element out, where consumers can achieve efficiency by the amount of money they would save on house maintenance and utilities. Smart windows not only do a better job of insulating the house from outside climates, but make it easier for residents to heat or cool the inside of their homes.
4. A Smarter Garage
With hybrid and electric car purchases on the rise, this will prompt smart homes to also become more efficient by accommodating this change in consumer preference. Many newly-built smart homes are now including car charging stations, since many electric vehicles don’t have the same range on a single charge compared to traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. While most hybrid or electric car purchasers have the option of installing a port in their home, this demand will broaden as the number of people purchasing non-traditional cars increases. One of the potential ramifications of these circumstances could be the formation of a positive resale feature for homes with pre-installed charging ports.
5. Continue Centralization of WiFi Networks
Smart home owner or not, the vast majority of electronic consumers have for the most part, at least one or two devices requiring a WiFi connection to fully function. This correlation will continue among smart home residents moving forward.
One of the finishing touches of smart homes will continue focusing on the house’s array of appliances and personal devices. Instead of focusing on basics like climate control and lighting, advanced smart homes will utilize an array of appliances with smart technologies.
The sky is truly the limit for devices that can be added to smart homes with refrigerators capable of creating shopping lists, to toasters that connect to a home’s WiFi. Most people may start small and add a few appliances to their existing home, but a newly constructed residence could allow builders to broaden how many smart appliances are added into the home’s space. The key is to offer connectivity for as many items as possible in order to achieve maximal convenience.
