The experts at KNX UK identify some of the latest smart home automation trends and user demands.
The concept of a ‘smart home’ is no longer confined to science fiction or high end luxury homes. Home automation has become an integral part of modern living, enhancing convenience, security, and energy efficiency.
As electrical professionals, staying abreast of the latest smart home automation trends and understanding the technology, settings and scenes that homeowners desire can help provide superior services to your clients.
So, let’s explore some of the features and scenes that homeowners are increasingly requesting to enhance their lifestyle:
Good morning routine
Imagine the bathroom heating turns on at 6am. A few moments later the room is at the perfect temperature. At 6:30am the blinds in your bedroom are gently raised. Your favourite news program automatically comes on the TV or radio.
Automating your clients’ morning routine can greatly enhance convenience and energy efficiency, as well as making sure they start each day energised and well-informed.
Comfort adapting thermostats
Thermostats have evolved to adapt to temperature preferences and daily routines, ensuring the living space remains consistently comfortable. Intelligent thermostats learn daily patterns and temperature preferences, then use the data acquired from your interactions with the thermostat to anticipate when you’ll return home, when you’ll be asleep, and when you’ll be away.
Over time, these intelligent thermostats become tuned-in to your unique preferences and autonomously fine-tune the temperature settings, guaranteeing comfort without requiring manual intervention.
Entertainment scenes
Our integrator members say that their clients love the convenience and ‘wow’ factor that entertainment scenes offer. These scenes encompass automation options such as effortlessly dimming the lights, drawing the curtains, and activating the TV and sound system for a captivating movie night.
They can also craft an ambient atmosphere with gentle lighting and harmonious music for a memorable dinner party. Picture a ‘party’ scene that sets the mood with a simple button press, featuring tailored lighting that illuminates the home’s key decor elements and automatically plays a custom playlist.
Intelligent energy management
An increasing demand for automation settings that optimise energy consumption by adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and time of day reflects a broader societal shift towards eco-conscious living and sustainability.
The advanced systems that our integrators are increasingly installing adjust various parameters such as heating, cooling, and lighting based on factors like occupancy and time of day.
Dynamic lighting scenarios
Imagine waking up to the gradual emergence of sunlight as your automated blinds open in the morning.
Equipped with sensors, automated window blinds adapt throughout the day to maintain an ideal level of natural light, reducing the dependence on artificial lighting. For instance if the natural light falls below 40%, the automated lighting increases to 60%. This is perfect for darker evenings and overcast days, and for conserving energy during the lighter days of summer.
Intelligent integration
The ideal smart home ecosystem is one where all devices seamlessly communicate with each other, regardless of their manufacturer or built-in technology. Electrical professionals are increasingly asked to create systems that bring together various brands and protocols to create a cohesive automation experience.
To this end, KNX is the only worldwide standard for intelligent home and building controls. Products that work using the KNX language are made by different manufacturers and can be combined, with the KNX trademark logo guaranteeing their interworking and interoperability.
Smart home automation is not just a trend, it’s the future of modern living. From energy efficiency to customised scenes, homeowners are seeking to enhance their lifestyles by embracing the possibilities of smart home technology. By listening to these demands and equipping yourself with the skills and knowledge to create homes that are not just smarter but also more comfortable, secure, and energy-efficient you’ll be providing a superior service to customers.
Embracing the opportunity
One way to ensure you’re at the forefront of the smart home trend is by becoming qualified in KNX and joining the KNX UK National Association. By becoming a part of the KNX community, you not only enhance your professional expertise but also gain access to a network of experts and resources that can empower you to deliver the innovative, efficient, and personalised automation solutions your clients crave.
Get more details about KNX training options and dates here
