The smart home system sure to simplify your life

There are many aspects of our lives in which we readily adopt technological advances – our phones and laptops, for example.

Even our cars now have smart functions like automatic headlights and self-parking capabilities.

However, when it comes to “smart homes”, not many of us are aware of just what is possible.

Following 50 years of successful retailing, Holburn HiFi set up Holburn Co., a company specialising in bespoke home automation solutions that go way beyond just playing music or watching TV.

We spoke to Christian Jolliffe, sales manager at the Holburn Group, to find out more about the possibilities a smart home system offers.

The chances are you might already use apps for controlling aspects of your home, so what benefits does a bespoke smart home system offer?

Christian explained: “In today’s age everything seems to have an app. With more and more smart devices in the house the list of separate apps and controls can be endless. Our smart home system ties everything together and allows it to work together, controlled from one central point.

“People’s time is precious, and our lives are very noisy. Smart homes are about removing some of that noise, ensuring your home works for you – rather than you figuring out how to work your home!”

Christian talked us through how the smart home system can simplify everyday situations. He told us: “For example, you may have a Sonos, you might have a bit of smart lighting, you’ve got a TV, and you want to watch a film on Netflix.

“So, you turn your telly on and to the right channel, you’re then on your phone to play with your sound system and then you’re into the app to turn down your lighting.

“We can reduce all of that to a single button that says: ‘Watch Netflix’. That single button will fire up your TV, startup your audio system, boot up Netflix and after 90 seconds dim the lights for you too.”

The first step in integrating a smart home system is to have a consultation with the experts at Holburn Co. They work with you to deliver exactly what you need taking into account that every house, and every family, is different. And in terms of futureproofing, the smart home system can be expanded as you add more devices or extend your home.

From automated window dressings to zoned heating, or waking your house at the touch of a button when you return home or running “mockupancy” – activating lights and devices in your absence to make it look as if someone is at home – the possibilities are endless.

Christian says: “We find that as people start working with the system and enjoy the benefits, they want to add more and more things. If you decide it would be great if when you came home with the shopping all the lights in the kitchen turned on and Radio 2 started playing, that’s no problem, we can do that.”

Christian finishes by saying: “Holburn Hifi has been a retailer of audio equipment for 50 years, but a huge part of our organisation is our smart home business, Holburn Co. I think when people visit the store they’re surprised at what’s available, it’s not just turntables or televisions.”

■ Visit Holburn Hifi to discover how a Holburn Co. smart home system can automate your home – and simplify your life.

Several functions can be combined in the system and more can be added – the possibilities are endless.