Home Is Where the Heart Is

Ask anyone on what the word home evokes of and most will recount fond memories of conviviality, peace and safety. From natural primitive shelters to edifices of steel and glass, the home has always been close to all our hearts. Especially in a time when most of the world has been “sheltering in place”, home as a place of comfort and protection has never been more important.

Today’s smart homes invoke the same feelings and functions of yesteryears, albeit with new bells and whistles to make the present living experience even more enjoyable and secure, while being sustainable.

What Is a Smart Home?

A smart home is essentially a structure that is seamlessly integrated with technology to enhance the living experience of its residents. These technologies allow residents to control elements of their home environment in real-time, such as automating the usage of lights, accessing security or selecting ventilation and air conditioning systems, all with a few touches or strokes on a screen.

Certain smart homes possess biometric security entry systems that offer convenient yet secure access. Other smart homes boast remote security access, whether to let the plumber in or to view your security cameras when you are away and want to check on how the kids or pets are doing.

Why Does a Smart Home Matter?

Aside from offering a new experience of comfort and security, smart homes are also kinder to the environment. Environmental concerns are now a priority for many when living in a home, and being able to promote a building’s environmental features is a major selling point. A 2019 survey found that 77% of Americans and Australians want to learn more about how to live sustainably. These days, not only is it important for a building to possess systems to cater to the individual needs of its inhabitants, but it also must be dynamically integrated to reduce its residents’ carbon footprint.

Construction of modern smart homes employ the latest developments in architecture and engineering that provide an equal if not better living experience while utilizing cutting-edge techniques that rely on smart use of construction materials. For instance, Tesla recently unveiled its Solar Roof that puts a roof over our heads while harnessing solar energy for domestic use, powering your home while saving the environment.

What Are the Benefits to Residents and Home-Owners?

Buildings that are seamlessly integrated with technology enable residents to program functions tailored to the needs of its residents. For instance, motion sensors integrated with information systems will trigger lighting only when residents are present or illuminate areas of the home based on the daily routines of its residents. For instance, most would prefer dimmer lights for enjoying a relaxed evening meal as opposed to chopping vegetables, and a smart kitchen would allow for easy adjustment of the lighting to fit the mood. This alleviates decision-making for residents while conserving energy.\

What Are the Benefits to Building Owners?

For building owners, the smart use of energy and efficient building design can help to combat depreciation on the property by making the building more attractive over a longer period of time. In the long run, maintenance costs can be reduced substantially as well, as amenities and the structural integrity of the buildings are better preserved. Findings indicate that smart home applications can even save up to 23% on heating and cooling costs while requiring fewer repairs.

In Conclusion...

The notion of a fun, safe and comfortable home will always resonate deeply for most of us. The smart home is now proving to not only redefine conventional and traditional experiences of a home, but also proving to be the environmentally sounder option. For aspiring homeowners, renters, or developers, the smart home is the obvious choice to best meet the needs of the future.