Smart-home technology and you

By Marlene Eisner
March 26, 2020

Smart-home technology: Unless you’re a confirmed Luddite, it’s likely you’ve heard this term bandied about between friends, neighbours and anyone interested in new tech and how it can make a home environment easier to manage.

One of the many advantages of buying pre-construction is being able to decide the smart-home features you want before your home is built, saving the retro-fitting costs of a pre-sale.

Controlling your home heating and cooling remotely, turning lights on before you get home and telling Siri to turn on your music is fun for sure, but there is much more to smart-home tech than that. Is having a smart-home something you should consider?

“The simple answer is yes,” says Greg Graham, COO of Cardel Group of Companies.

“The more complicated answer is, ’It depends on the particular purchaser and their personal preferences’.”

Today’s new homes are built with internet as part of the critical utility infrastructure such as gas, cable and hydro, says Graham. As a result, many people already have access to options like Netflix, online video gaming, and the use of Skype for businesses. Other smart-home technologies currently available and growing in popularity include Google Smart Home speakers, home video security, video doorbells, and controlling lights, blinds, thermostats and appliances.

“This is where client preference comes in,” says Graham. “Some people are concerned about security, which is justifiable. Others are concerned with being bombarded with information, while others love the freedom and convenience of technology integration. We believe in allowing our customers choice and independence of decisions. The underlining technology is installed in the base home. How far a client wants to take the integration is entirely up to them.

“In today’s Covid-19 climate, we certainly appreciate the access to technology we all enjoy for information and entertainment. We are going to learn some very valuable life lessons from the current pandemic, which could have great benefits to the connected home.”

Irina Popova is a real estate agent and co-owner of Ottawa-based Blue Panda Realty. She says although smart-home technology has been around for a while, it has increased in popularity as people are becoming more aware of what’s out there, and as they become more comfortable using their smart phones and technology in general. And it’s not just Millennials.

“Smart homes are a concept that now appeals to all age groups and types of purchasers,” says Popova. “For example, a service that’s great for snowbirds and frequent travellers is leak-detection technology. It can remotely shut off water supply upon detecting moisture around the furnace or sump pump, as well as send in a technician to the home right away to take care of the problem.”

To answer the increased demand, she says a large majority of new-home builders have recognized that smart-home technology is more than just a passing fad, and now offer it to homebuyers either as an upgrade or included in its basic packages.

Providing opportunities to create a smart home is one thing, but keeping up on quickly evolving technology is key.

“We are always in discussion with our trades and suppliers about new and innovative solutions to help our homeowners live better,” says Jan Coulis, director of marketing at Minto Communities. “Our current Smarter Home package, powered by Enercare, was rolled out to new communities (and new stages of communities) throughout 2019 and is now available for new homeowners moving in 2020 and beyond.”

Says Graham: Cardel is constantly researching and assessing new-home construction and this is not limited to smart-home technology but includes home design, energy efficiency, improved construction methods and construction schedule. Technology continues to play a much more significant role in the overall new home sales and the construction environment. For example, 3-D printing is an evolving area to watch, virtual tours, automated online sales and yes, technologies that will help us mange our lives more efficiently continue to get developed.”

So how do you choose? What are some of the more affordable, and worthwhile options?

According to Graham, most homebuyers are interested in features that revolve around their comfort and security, making the thermostat, lights and security camera/video the top three items Cardel tends to see.

Coulis says other features are included in Minto homes.

“The Minto Smarter Homes essentials package includes the top smart-home features that should be included pre-construction – the thermostat, water leak sensor, and Smarter Homes hub. Other components can be installed after homeowners move in, but the key to ease of use and to optimize the system is to have those components all part of the same package and working together on the same app,” she says.

Smart-home; it’s coming to a new-home community near you.

About Marlene Eisner

Marlene Eisner is an award-winning print and online editor and journalist. She has written on many topics including new homes and condos in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, and has been the editor for numerous magazines and newspapers in Quebec and Ontario.

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