Over the last few years, there has been a technological revolution happening inside British homes.
Smart technology has quickly become the new normal, with a raft of new devices and a wave of automation making even the simplest of household tasks as easy as ever, while other installations monitor and analyse what we use to a tee. In fact, products are launching onto the market so fast, that even some seasoned techies are questioning if they’ve been left behind.
If you’re something of a newcomer to smart tech, you might be wondering where to start altogether. In this guide, we’ll give you some pointers, and let you know more about what smart tech might do for the value of your home.
What is smart home technology?
When we talk about ‘smart home technology’, we’re referring to a new wave of advanced automatic systems, many of which make use of AI (artificial intelligence), that are designed to make our daily lives easier and more data-led. Most of these devices are built to either analyse and report (such as a smart electric meter), or to operate functions remotely (like switching the heating on through a phone app).
This kind of technology has been around for a couple of decades, but it’s only now that we’re applying it to so many of our simple household situations. From changing the colour of your lights to suit the mood, to seeing who’s at the front door from your smartphone, the possibilities are almost endless.
What are the latest smart home innovations I should look out for?
Smart technology for the home can be arranged into a handful of categories, depending on its primary purpose.
Smart speakers
You can find popular versions of these from the likes of Amazon, Apple and Google. Connecting to the internet, these can perform a vast range of functions upon voice command, including:
Plus, most are compatible with your favourite tech devices like phones, TVs and tablets – as well as bringing voice activation to many of the devices listed below.
Smart heating
It’s never nice coming back to a cold home, and thanks to smart heating, you don’t have to. Things that the latest smart heating innovations can do include:
Smart lighting
You might think flicking on a switch is as easy as can be, but smart technology has managed to revolutionise even this, including:
Smart appliances
Innovative appliances have been simplifying tasks and chores around our home for decades, but smart appliances have an extra edge, including:
Smart security
It’s only natural to worry about your home’s security, but smart security technology can help you put many of your concerns to one side, thanks to:
Will installing smart technology increase the value of my home?
Whether smart technology will increase the value of your home may depend on which devices you invest in.
You’d take things like smart speakers and smart vacuum cleaners with you if you were to move, so these won’t attract any buyers in themselves. What will catch the eye of potential buyers will being able to claim that your heating, lighting, energy, water, and security systems are compatible with the latest smart technology.
Being able to show this off at any viewings may not fetch you a higher guide price, but it’ll certainly impress. As our homes get smarter and more technologically advanced, being compatible with the latest innovations is something that’s going to feature in the minds of would-be buyers more and more.
If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll need the services of a conveyancer, who will take care of all the legal aspects of your case, get a conveyancing quote for your sale today.
Disclaimer: The article above is only a rough guide on tips to let you know more about what smart tech might do for the value of your home.
