Voiceactivated controls, like Amazon Echo, can be a part of both wired and wireless systems
Smart home products are rapidly becoming mainstream. Wireless technology has given us easily retrofitted DIY solutions, such as Philips Hue for lighting, Hive for heating and security, plus Google Home and Apple HomeKit that work to unite many separate functions. They’re quick to set up, inexpensive, and you can add more kit as you need it.
Creating a home from scratch offers the opportunity to establish a wired, integrated system where everything works together. “If you’re self building, then you’ll probably want a professionally installed smart home ecosystem, as opposed to off-the-shelf solutions that might not be compatible with one another”, says Loxone’s operations and marketing manager, Tyron Cosway. Gone are the days when smart homes felt gimmicky; now, everyone can see the benefit of improved comfort and better control, and installers have focused on what’s really useful, not simply adding layers of complexity because they can.
What can you automate?
Heating, lighting, audio-visual (AV) and security products can all be centralised and controlled from one place. Motorised windows (and blinds) can integrate with heating and ventilation to regulate temperature or for security. It’s when it all works together that the magic happens: a ‘goodnight’ button, for example, could turn off downstairs lights, check garage doors are shut and alarm the house. High-end systems such as Crestron and Control4 have almost unlimited programming capabilities: use them to feed your fish, check the weather and water your lawn.