what is a home control system?
69% of U.S. households now use some form of smart home technology, according to figures from MediaPost. Those numbers account for an increasingly wide array of devices on the market, including smart lighting, motorized shades, wireless speakers, and control panels, just to name a few.
When the right smart home technology is properly integrated, it makes life easier, more convenient, and more efficient. That’s a huge benefit for homeowners, of course. But it’s also good news for managers of condominiums, apartment buildings, and other multi-dwelling facilities that need to entice tenants with the most attractive amenities possible.
Home automation is a highly sought-after perk that helps attract (and retain) tenants who are tech-savvy and looking to experience the simplicity and easy living that today’s smart technologies can provide.
Here are 3 ways that this technology can deliver that efficiency.
automated environments
Today’s residential environments can be completely automated. Technologies throughout the home can adapt to families’ schedules and routines. Lighting, shading, climate control systems, and other devices can adjust automatically, without the need for user intervention.
Let’s explore what this looks like in practice …
Imagine waking up to natural sunlight in the morning as your window shades gently open at the same time as your alarm clock. Your lighting welcomes you into the kitchen, increasing in brightness to provide a warm glow for you to enjoy your morning coffee. Your favorite music, podcast, or news program turns on in the background.
Even before you got out of bed, your heating system adjusted the temperature automatically, so you never had to touch the thermostat.
All of this happens on its own. It’s preprogrammed based on the homeowner’s schedule, routine, or other environmental factors, such as the amount of natural light in the room.
Homeowners and families love this automation because it makes life more efficient. Controlling the systems in their home is one less thing to worry about, freeing up time for the more important things in their lives.
easy control from anywhere
In addition to automation, another core benefit of smart home technology is the simplified control. Everything is at your fingertips, controllable with a smartphone, a wireless control panel, or even your voice.
Need to turn on more lights for your child to do their homework? There’s no need to leave the couch. You can do it with a few taps on your phone, or simply tell your voice-enabled device to “turn on the living room lights.”
What if you forgot to turn off the lights when you went to work? Simple. Just do it right within the app, whether you’re on the road, in the office, or on an airplane.
And remember, smart home technology can encompass far more than lighting. It can also provide easier control of security and door-access systems. Imagine being able to unlock the front door for your child when they get home from school, even if you’re stuck at work. Or let your weekend guests inside with a few taps, while you grab a few things from the grocery store.
With A/V-enabled access control systems and security cameras, you can keep an eye on deliveries and even communicate with people at the front door, whether you’re in bed or away on vacation.
All of this translates not only into efficiency but also convenience. That’s exactly what prospective tenants are looking for in today’s luxury condominiums and apartment buildings.
energy efficiency
When a home is powered by smart automation, it uses energy more efficiently. Automated climate systems, lighting, and other smart systems help to reduce energy usage and the associated costs.
That’s good news for homeowners who want to save money on utilities while also reducing their carbon footprint. The savings is also attractive to building managers and developers who are focused on maximizing the efficiency of their facilities. Building-wide technologies can help to reduce operational costs. Plus, the end-user savings creates an added incentive for prospective tenants.
How exactly does smart home technology increase energy efficiency?
For starters, consider an automated climate system that only runs when it needs to, regulating temperature based on the family schedule, routines, or their physical presence in the home. This alone can translate into significant savings, but it doesn’t stop there. Remember that lighting and shading can be automated in tandem with climate systems, turning off when they’re not needed or when no one is at home.
In multi-dwelling units (MDUs) such as high-rise condominiums, these technologies can be deployed in amenity spaces too, in addition to the individual residences. Examples include game rooms, theaters, and other shared spaces, where automation can help to maximize energy efficiency when those spaces are not in use.
discover smart home technology from AVDG
AVDG is a national leader in smart home technology and audio-visual systems for residences across the United States. With automation systems from AVDG, homeowners can automate, simplify, and control what matters most to their families and make life more efficient. Learn more about our smart solutions or request a free consultation today with one of our smart home technology experts.