How is Technology Changing Homes?

Rapid technological advancements in recent years have enabled many industries to evolve at a breath-taking pace. The housing industry is no different. With more smart home products being readily available each day, read on to find out how technology is changing new homes in 2023.

Smart Homes

So, what are smart homes? A smart home is defined as a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or computer. These devices have become cheaper and easier to acquire in recent years, resulting in many homeowners utilising the benefits of this technology.

Automation

One of the biggest benefits to Smart Home technology is automation. There are several affordable products out there which facilitate homeowners to automate aspects of their home to help save energy and money. Heating is a great example of this. Using an app on your phone, many homeowners with this technology can automate heating with timers and schedules, control which rooms are heated and control the home temperature. These applications can usually be used remotely too, meaning if you accidentally leave the heating on when you leave the house, you can simply turn it off from your phone.

One example of this automated technology is Lightwave. Lightwave allows users to control several aspects of their home, including underfloor heating, automatic window blinds, garden water features and monitoring energy consumption. Lightwave can also integrate with voice assistants such as Alexa, making it even easier to control your home. This technology was integrated into our Miller’s Meadow development in Sandhurst and our Forge Mews development in Bearsted. If you are interested in new homes in Kent, contact us today!

Security

Almost two thirds of adults worry about their home when they aren’t there (SWNS, 2020). This is often due to fears they have left doors and windows open, left a tap on or haven’t turned the heating off. Smart home appliances can often help ease these worries.

For example, modern homes often have smart security systems which can be monitored on your phone. After an easy set up process, products such as Ring Doorbell and Google Nest allow homeowners to monitor their home access and talk to people at the front door. Many companies also offer smart locks which can be controlled through your phone, giving users more flexibility and peace of mind. These features can also be monitored remotely, making it easier to keep an eye on your home when you’re away. This has several benefits, such as increased peace of mind, convenience and being able to talk to the postie!

Voice control

“Alexa, what’s my notification?”

10 years ago, the thought of using a voice activated product to assist with every day tasks such as adding food to the grocery list, finding out the weather, or turning on the lights was merely a dream. In 2023, virtual assistants are everywhere. Whether it be an Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Home, there are several products which can be used as a digital assistant for as little as £10. Many of these devices can also link to third party applications, such as Spotify to play music, as well as third party devices, such as Lightwave or a SONOS speaker to play music through.

Voice control can also be used in the kitchen with smart ovens, or in the living room with smart TV’s, meaning your favourite show can be pulled up without even clicking a button.

Building practices

New technologies continue to push construction companies to evolve. This ranges from new sustainable materials such as carbon fibre, to new technology tools such as 3D printers, to improved safety gear and even to drones which can keep tabs on productivity and efficiency.

Additionally, Augmented Reality (AR) has become a useful new tool for builders and customers alike. For builders, its incorporation into wearable tech can help workers avoid hazards and work smarter. It can also help perform tasks like measuring. For customers, it can be used to visualise and explore a building from the comfort of their own home. At Clarendon Homes, we use Matterport technology to provide virtual tours, allowing customers to get a feel of our quality before visiting in person.

The future?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in every industry recently, including housing. While we cannot be sure of what the future holds, there are emerging trends which could be seen in the housing industry in the near future. Predictive analytics, a tool often used within AI, may be able to track stock levels and predict when a company needs to order particular materials. Other tools could help identify issues around a building site and make recommendations for how companies can avoid them. Looking further into the future, driverless vehicles may be able to replace on-site drivers one day.

For consumers, more advanced chat bots will likely be seen across all property developer websites in the coming years. These will be able to answer questions about aspects such as which properties are available, the buying process and more. Furthermore, AR and Virtual Reality (VR) will no doubt improve over the years to allow more realistic interactivity. At Clarendon Homes, we will continue to embrace emerging technologies to facilitate our aim of providing the best new build homes for our customers.

Got any questions or feedback on the article? Or maybe a topic you would like to be covered in a future blog? Email caitlin.willis@clarendonhomes.co.uk today, I would love to hear from you!