Key Takeaways:
- A connected home becomes smart when all the devices speak to each other
- Connectivity is key: A faster home network can support a smarter home
- Consumers are realizing that the additional cost of investing in added networks is worthwhile
An expert discusses what’s on tap for connected-home technology as it becomes more integral in building and remodeling. By Dianne M. Pogoda
“Smart home technologies are really not an option anymore; it’s about how much the buyer wants.”
Felicia Ratka, president of TBI Smart Home Solutions, drove home this point at the most recent Kohler Living virtual summit, where she and Brian Humphreys, director of sales for Kohler’s builder channel, discussed advancements in connected residential technology and how they are expected to evolve in “Smart Homes for the Long Haul.”
“Smart home control is extremely personal — what I value in a smart home might not be the same as what my neighbors find valuable,” Ratka began. The key, she noted, is determining what technologies will best cater to specific lifestyle needs. “We ask a ton of questions about how our buyers see themselves living in their homes. Do they entertain? Do they work from home? Do they have children? Are their children gamers? Because these answers will determine the type of home network they need and the technology that will support those functions.”
TBI, a part of Toll Brothers Inc., a luxury residential and commercial builder with operations in 24 states, offers a holistic approach to whole-house technology. “There’s a big difference between a connected home and a truly smart home. Everything has an app these days, and having 15 apps on your smartphone is the equivalent of having a slew of remote controls on your living room table,” Ratka explained. “So every smart-home device can operate independently from each other, and they all sit on your network — but the connected home truly becomes smart when all those devices can speak to each other and trigger various events.”
For example, a homeowner can come home and remotely open the garage door, and the truly smart home automatically disarms the alarm system and turns the inside lights on, as opposed to having a separate app for each function.
“Technology is finally being recognized as an important category in the total construction of the home.” — Felicia Ratka
Humphreys asked about how the market is shifting in the next three to five years.
“We’ve reached mass exposure with this category — again, everything has an app these days — so adoption is going to continue to grow,” Ratka said. “But connectivity is key. A faster home network can support a smarter home. IoT devices will benefit tremendously from 5G. With wireless, low-power requirements and more bandwidth in the home, you’ll have more support for connected devices. This enhances speed at which the devices can communicate with each other, and that turns into a better customer experience. Especially in high-density areas, that really becomes critical.”
Working From Home Changed Everything
Home networks are the backbone of all smart-home technologies. But the work-from-home landscape, coupled with virtual learning, put a big stress on networks and connectivity. Add to that the fact that the average American household has 25 connected devices, and the need to provide solid, reliable home network solutions beyond what Internet service providers may offer has really grown, Ratka said. Buyers are realizing that the additional cost of investing in these added networks is worthwhile to get more than their ISP can give them.
“On the building side, we’ve started to integrate audio/video closets into our floorplans. These are centrally located spaces where all the wiring, home network equipment, routers, cable boxes, receivers, etc., can be housed,” she explained. “When it’s centrally located, the homeowner knows they’ll always have good signal strength and be able to access all their equipment faster and easier. For us, it means technology is finally being recognized as an important category in the total construction of the home.”
Forward-thinking designers and remodelers would be wise to think about accommodating such spaces when embarking on major space overhauls. And it’s critical to get integration professionals involved at the start of the planning process to ensure installation is done properly and capacity is adequate.
Smart Tech and Aging in Place
Smart tech allows families to stay connected to those they care about. It empowers active seniors to stay in their own homes for years to come, giving them freedom and smarter, independent living. This technology also gives their loved ones peace of mind, knowing that their elderly parents are safe and comfortable, Ratka noted.
She said the systems don’t have to be extensive or complicated. For instance, a handful of sensors can monitor daily activity patterns. A loved one can receive an alert if the front door opens at an odd hour in the middle of the night, or for someone who takes medicine regularly, caregivers may be alerted if the medicine cabinet has or hasn’t opened.
“Technology shouldn’t be intrusive, it should be behind the scenes,” Ratka stressed. When technology makes a homeowner’s life easier, and they don’t even realize that tech has improved their daily lives because it’s in the background, “those are the moments we hope we can continue to provide: making consumers’ interactions with smart-home control seamless and effortless, to make their day more comfortable.”
