The phenomenon of the Internet of Things (IoT) has given birth to a new wave of connected devices which improve safety, security and comfort around the home. Andy Mansfield, Marketing Communications Manager at Honeywell, explains more.
The latest figures point to growing consumer interest in intelligent appliances, as 1 in 3 people predict that most homes will be smart in the next 5 – 10 years. Key drivers include energy saving (43%) and security (23%) with devices such as connected thermostats, Wi-Fi cameras and digital sensors already popular choices among many homeowners.
The good news for tradespeople is a third (33%) of people would prefer a professional installation – meaning significant opportunities to upsell products and charge an installation fee.
The ‘smart’ specialist
Traditionally, fitting a thermostat or security product would come under the remit of a heating engineer or security specialist. However, when it comes to these new connected devices, electricians have the skillset that makes them perfect for the job. This is because they are electrical devices, so there is often a wiring element to installation which heating engineers may require assistance with.
Not only is the demand there, but also the product range to accommodate it. Honeywell, for example, has expanded its Lyric family to include the C1 Wi-Fi Security Camera and W1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector. This enables electricians to have a full suite of connected devices in their arsenal, which can then be upsold to increase the return on each job. Each device is controlled via the Lyric app, meaning there is less of a learning curve as electricians only need to become familiar with one interface.
Business growth
For self-employed electricians, time is money, so speediness is key to fitting in more work and running a profitable business. Thankfully, most connected devices are also quick and straightforward to install. Both the W1 and C1 simply need to be powered up, connected to Wi-Fi, then configured through the app which guides users through the process. The T6R thermostat has a flip-up wiring bar, clearly labelled terminals and strain relief to make the wiring process as easy as possible.
Whether it is leak detection, home security or heating, the lines between electricians and other trades is blurring, creating a platform for business growth. The connected home is showing no signs of stopping and electricians who capitalise on it in the early stages will reap the rewards now, and in the future.
