Andy Moss, Managing Director of Niko UK, looks at why electricians would be wise to join the smart home revolution.
The past two decades have seen a major shift in the technological world and the innovations that have followed have transformed the way we live our lives. The smart home revolution has taken a little longer to emerge but we are gradually seeing a shift in the way we engage with our homes.
Our homes are our most important assets. They are our primary place of comfort, financial security and well-being and are a significant driver of our lifestyles. Smart homes are not just homes, they think and move with you and their potential to transform the way we live must not be underestimated.
The opportunities that this emergence will present to forward thinking electricians is something that must not be brushed under the carpet. The great news is, the connected home is ‘anyone’s game’. Developments in digital technology are unbundling and recombining industries, creating new markets and sources of value.
For those electricians and installers that wish to grow and push in to the smart market, there are some key industry findings that should be considered when talking to prospects or clients. The first thing to consider is that although 77% of respondents from a recent TechUK report suggested that they were aware of the connected home, only 10% said they had an in depth knowledge.
Another recent stat from PwC consumer survey suggested that 44% of respondents did not know who to trust with the installation of smart home tech. In order to win new clients, it’s clear that awareness and education around the smart home sector is something to consider and, as a result, the issue of trust should begin to unravel.
The most appealing features for potential clients include smart entertainment, smart energy and home monitoring and control which would suggest that your clients are going to expect the full works, with a primary focus on AV. Although the majority of connected home devices can talk to others, some don’t and it’s therefore a good idea to get on board with training that incorporates all or most of the above.
Finally, the barriers that you’re most likely to face when talking to prospects and clients about the installation of smart home tech include price, privacy, interoperability and security – all of which are areas of reasonable and understandable doubt that can easily be addressed with thorough explanation, a consultancy style approach to the technology on offer and an in depth understanding of how your client uses their home.
The smart home isn’t just a home, it’s a home that thinks and whilst technological advancements have meant significant changes to the way we live our lives outside and within our homes, the way we interact with them has been somewhat slower than the rest. As electricians, it’s important that we educate ourselves and subsequently our prospects and existing clients to ensure that they get the most out of their homes with the technology that’s available to them.
For more information on becoming a Niko Home Control Installer visit: www.homecontrol.uk.com
