How are Smart Homeware Gadgets Growing in Popularity Around the World?
Technology is progressing with lightning speed, and it is hard to keep track of all the developments in various sectors. Smart homes have seemingly crept up from nowhere, but appliances that take care of everything from lighting to sound may soon be ubiquitous around the world. The smart house market in the USA alone is expected to be worth $40 billion in 2020 according to Alarms.org. Now, the question for many is how to incorporate the new technology while still maintaining classic aesthetics around the house. This could lead to a rise in hybrid houses.
From Lighting to Air Conditioning
Smart appliances have emerged with a primary objective of making home life more efficient and convenient. One of the most useful and widespread pieces of smart tech for homes is to do with temperature control. Air conditioning is big business around the world, with Warner Service claiming that 84 percent of homes in the States have a unit. Indeed, it’s more common there to have air-con than it is to have a dishwasher.
Smart thermostats are now being used in conjunction with air conditioning and heating systems to regulate the home’s temperature. They are connected to the internet which means they can be controlled by other devices such as smartphones and laptops. One of the main positive benefits of this technology is in combating climate change. They help to ensure that energy is being used efficiently and air conditioning isn’t left running unnecessarily. Eia states that more than half of energy use in homes is from heating and air conditioning, so tech reducing excess use is essential.
Along with smart temperature control, technology has been used to improve lighting and sound within the home. The Philips Hue is considered to be one of the best lighting devices and allows users to set routines. When it comes to smart speakers, the Amazon Echo is a popular option.
Hybrid Homes Offer the Best of Both Worlds
Having all this smart tech doesn’t mean your house has to look like something out of a science fiction movie. Indeed, some homeowners choose to enjoy the best of both worlds, combining state of the art appliances with traditional aesthetics and design. This can be seen with some of the opulent residences in rich cities like Ajman in the United Arab Emirates.
As shown in this list of properties from Bayut, the authentic Arab style is still clearly visible in the luxury homes available to rent or buy in the city. But they also benefit greatly from using smart tech. The temperature has been known to soar as high as 52.1 degrees Celsius in the country before, so air conditioning is crucial in homes in the region. Having a smart thermostat, therefore, will be high on the list of both homeowners’ and tenants’ priorities.
They may also be interested in smart security devices that control locks and surveillance cameras.
Just like double-glazing and postboxes are considered normal on houses now, smart appliances will become more mainstream as we move into the future. Soon, homeowners will take for granted how easy it is to control everything in the house. The key thing for home designers to consider moving forward is how to keep traditional aesthetics in a futuristic house.