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Popular Smart Technology Options for Homeowners

Posted by Justin Havre on Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 at 2:34pm.

Installing Home Smart TechnologyHome technology is a modern amenity. Time, energy and labour-saving devices are becoming mainstream, in the office, at home and in the automobile. It's impossible to escape it—and why would anyone want to?

Smart technology has changed, and will continue to alter the way Canadians look at the world, and the way we live in our homes.

There is a difference between home automation and smart home features, however. In a sense, it is one of degree: Home automation is one aspect of smart home technology. It is the modern smart home that has become the model for the future. Smart home technology allows integration of a host of features from a single, centrally located wireless hub. It keeps the homeowner in control, whether from the next room or across the continent.

Defining Smart in Today's Home Environment

Because home-based technology has developed at a fever pace, it is sometimes difficult to keep up and to understand. Magnify the effects of integrated home security, interactive communication and the ability to adjust home systems based on personal need and preference, and the implications are enormous.

Today, there is a decreasing need to flip switches, turn dials, set timers, or even think about individual adjustments in the home or condo. It's increasingly possible to record favourite television programmes, preselect shower water temperature, load a dishwasher and allow it to lower energy cost by choosing non-peak hours to operate, adjust lighting levels by voice command, and even lock or unlock the front door with a smart phone.

You can monitor and manage your home's operating systems and its security in a way that suits your lifestyle. View the exterior perimeter or home interiors while away on vacation, adjust temperature settings and window blinds from your office, monitor comings and goings of yard workers, repairmen or delivery services in real time, and perhaps even check the contents of your refrigerator as you shop at the local market.

It's a new world, one that is becoming increasingly important for both buyers and sellers, as smart homes are increasingly in demand and increasingly giving sellers a competitive edge in hot real estate markets like Northwest Calgary.

Sustainability Factor in Intelligent Buildings

Sustainable building works on a principle of using renewable sources of energy to their maximum. It also includes eco-friendly design and building applications.Smart building is based on the same ideas. The smart building represents a fully automated structure that monitors activities taking place in the building such as cooling, heating, lighting, air conditioning and other systems that consume power to operate. Intelligent structures are armed with sensors that gather information about operations in the building and adjust them to be efficient and cost-effective. Therefore, smart infrastructure contributes to reducing environmental influences (carbon footprint), cuts utility bills and ensures maximum space usage. The smart building provides high productivity of the residents with lower costs and higher life quality.

People often ask what the main difference between traditional construction techniques and intelligent ones is? The primary thing that sets them apart is the dynamism. While conventional buildings are static and serve only as shelters, smart buildings are dynamic and continually try to make residents' lives easier.

Elements of Smart Building

People often ask what the main difference between traditional construction techniques and intelligent ones is? The primary thing that sets them apart is the dynamism. While conventional buildings are static and serve only as shelters, smart buildings are dynamic and continually try to make residents' lives easier.

Smart lighting

Except for being highly energy efficient, smart lighting also includes automation and easy control. Lighting is automatically adjusted to the outdoors daylight in order to give the most optimal amount of light and remain energy efficient. It is easily controlled via smartphones, and it turns off automatically if it doesn't detect movement in the room.

Smart CO monitoring

One of the most dangerous gases, carbon monoxide, can be easily controlled with smart monitoring. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic and especially unsafe because humans can't smell it. The smart monitoring system will alert building's residents about the presence of the gas and immediately contact police or fire departments. Carbon Monoxide is known to be very toxic and dangerous, especially in the underground parking areas. Smart CO monitoring systems in the parking area will monitor the level of CO levels and control the ventilation system. These smart systems are automated and make sure the ventilation is properly working which will keep the CO count low.

Smart Security

Intelligent structures use an automated smart security system that is different from conventional one. The smart security system uses the latest technology, advanced cameras, automation system and alerting system in order to stop intruders.

Intelligent HVAC

Smart HVAC system reduces energy consumption costs and provides inhabitants with a better comfort. Smart HVAC uses sensors that are connected to the buildings automation system. Therefore, it picks up the data and adjusts cooling, heating or ventilation to the outdoor temperatures, humidity, and other factors.

Benefits of Smart Buildings

Smart building involves experts from areas such as architecture, science, construction, and engineering. Together they are able to create buildings that work with the environment instead of against it. The smart building has social, environmental and economic benefits. It positively affects the environment by supporting biodiversity and taking care of the ecosystem. This results with a higher water and air quality.Domino effect then happens when the economic benefits appear. Value of the property rises and new job opportunities open up in the green technology field. Therefore, it includes a social factor; more employment opportunities, more productive society and more equality.

Technology's Effect on the Real Estate Market

First, a definition: A smart home today "is one that provides its homeowners comfort, security, energy efficiency (low operating costs) and convenience at all times, regardless of whether anyone is home," according to SmartHomeUSA.

In Canada, although there is "high awareness" of modern technology, only 16 percent of homeowners have made an investment in home-based technology, based on research completed by The NPD Group.

Approximately 60 percent of respondents expressed interest in purchasing and/or using one or more home automation products. The interest is strong among younger consumers, primarily male, and security products attract more attention than energy-saving features.

Alarm systems, smart heating and air conditioning controllers, and automated lighting capabilities are big sellers. Among those who invest in home automation technology, home entertainment technology continues to be popular, followed by the "toys," including voice-activated controls to make home management easier and add to lifestyle enjoyment. More than half of buyers, those early adopters of technology for the home, are under 45.

Emotional "drivers" seem to be the primary reason homeowners install security systems, while financial considerations are cited most often by those who go the smart route in terms of energy management.

One thing is certain: The technology genie is out of the bottle, and home technology will continue to be an expanding field.

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