Home is where the smart is
DEBORAH STONE explains how developers are future-proofing properties with an array of gadgets from money-saving heating controls to hi-tech security systems
SMART homes are here to stay and they’re not just new-builds either as more homeowners fit wifi-enabled devices so they can control security, heating, lights and much more from apps on their phones.
Smart thermostats for radiators top Britons’ wishlists, with 71 per cent aiming to get them installed this year so they can switch them on or off remotely to avoid heating empty homes, saving money in the process.
And smart security is almost as popular, with 66 per cent interested in smart doorbells that beam pictures of callers to your phone; 60 per cent in installing smart cameras around their property and 57 per cent looking at smart locks.
The study by online estate agent sellhousefast.uk also shows that 64 per cent of us want to install smart lights or bulbs that we can switch on or off from our phone.
But although putting in a light bulb might be easy, homeowners attempting DIY installation of multi-room audio systems, smart thermostats and intelligent lighting may find themselves outsmarted.
The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) has warned homeowners against “having a go” at installing control systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, for instance. “These types of systems require full competency, not just in terms of electrics but the complex smart category itself,” says Darren Staniforth, NICEIC’S group senior technical presenter.
Similarly, professional installation of new-breed smart boilers is also essential and relatively easy with companies such as Boxt.
It provides a free Google Nest Learning Thermostat and Google Home Mini with selected combi boilers and offers next-day fixed-price installation by a local heating engineer when you order online.
Luckily, installing smart leisure equipment is much easier – particularly if you have a teenager to help you. Equipment such as Amazon’s Echo Studio can give your smart TV surround sound when used with a Fire TV Stick; enable you to play 3D music with an Amazon Music HD subscription and hook you up to Alexa – the virtual assistant who can answer questions, set alarms, play music and even read to you.
New-build developers switched on to smart technology include Legal & General Homes, which is giving new residents at its Finchwood Park development free ipads with videos on how to use the equipment built into their homes.these include direct fibre optic cabling, Hive smart heating systems and electric car charging ports.
The 1,500 homes at Finchwood Park, fewer than 10 miles from Reading and Bracknell in Berkshire, range from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, with prices starting from £325,000 for two-bedroom homes (0118 391 4248; landghomes.com).
Even second-hand homes are increasingly fitted with plenty of built-in kit.aisby Grange, an architecturally designed five-bedroom detached house near Grantham in Lincolnshire comes with super-fast fibre broadband and integrated Sonos sound system that connects to its cinema room and games/ gym room plus an electric car charger in the double garage.
There’s also 1.3 acres of grounds with a swimming pool, hot tub and tennis court.
The house is in countryside eight miles from Grantham railway station, with trains to London King’s Cross, and is for sale at £1,150,000 (purplebricks.co.uk).
Smart home technology makes secluded locations even more appealing to country-lovers and five-bedroom, five-bathroom Red Barn, near Forfar in Angus, proves the point.
It has state-of-the-art lighting and heating, speakers in every room including bathrooms as well as luxury features such as underfloor heating and a master bedroom with a free-standing bath in the ensuite.
For sale at £400,000 (0333 305 0202; yopa.co.uk) it’s also within reach of half-a-dozen golf courses that include the Championship Course at Carnoustie.
If only there was an app to smarten up your golf swing.
‘Professional installation is essential and easy’