With the rapid advancement of smart devices and technology, these are indeed exciting times to be alive. Smart tech doesn’t just apply to phones, laptops, and automated cars anymore. Even homes are becoming “smart.” Many residences are continuously being upgraded with more convenient, accessible, and efficient features. 

Homeowners are willing to pay up to a 20% premium for smart features. The existing 258.54 million smart homes across the globe are thus expected to grow in number in the coming years. The global market for single-family smart homes is predicted to surpass $83.78 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.4%

What Is Smart Housing?

Smart housing refers to residential spaces that are remotely controlled or monitored by devices connected to the internet. It entails the management of different appliances and systems around the house such as lighting, heating, TVs, etc.

Also referred to as “home automation,” smart homes are highly evolved spaces with 3 defining characteristics:

• Smart amenities such as smart locks, automated lighting, and integrated services, including package deliveries and cleaning
• Smart management that promotes a better living experience, especially in apartment complexes, saving money, time, and effort
• Connectivity where apartment complexes and homes are wired from the inside-out to different systems and services for convenient management

How Does Smart Housing Work?

Devices in a smart home are connected to each other and are accessible through a central interface which could be a tablet, smartphone, laptop, or gaming console. 

The devices that are remotely managed can include everything from a door lock, thermostat, and television, to cameras, lights, and appliances such as refrigerators and irons.

A system can be manually controlled through the controller device, and schedules can be set up for certain and specific changes to take effect. For example, lighting and air conditioning can be scheduled to switch on and off as well as adjust during different times of the day. Additionally, appliances and devices such as irons, geysers, heating, and entertainment systems can also be controlled through a single device.

Over time, appliances can learn the schedules of the homeowner due to their self-learning skills. These enable automatic adjustments based on a “learned” schedule, without requiring manual intervention. In fact, users can also create default settings, which can be adjusted as necessary.

Examples of Smart Housing Technology

Smart housing technologies are constantly expanding and growing, but the concept may be vague to those who aren’t tech-savvy or familiar with the latest trends in the market.

To illustrate what smart housing entails, here are some examples of smart housing features that are expected to become fully standardized soon:

• Smart TVs with applications that allow users to access content such as on-demand videos and music with gesture or voice recognition
• Smart lighting systems that are self-regulated or controlled by remote applications on smart devices or through motion sensors
• Smart thermostats enabling users to remotely control, schedule, and monitor temperatures across the house. They may also provide reminders for filter changes which can promote efficiency and encourage proper maintenance.
• Smart garage doors and automated smart locks that can detect when residents are nearby, and unlock automatically
• Automated watering systems for houseplants and lawns, and automated feeders for pet care
• Smart kitchen appliances such as automated coffee machines can be programmed to brew a fresh cup of coffee at a scheduled time. Or refrigerators that can keep track of expiration dates and shopping lists 
• Automated security measures such as motion-activated cameras that detect movement and capture intruders or visitors

Essentially, smart housing involves all kinds of systems that are put in place to perform repetitive, scheduled, and other simple tasks that can be automated to reduce manual intervention.

Are Smart Homes a Good Idea: Advantages and Disadvantages 

Smart homes are designed to optimize living spaces while enhancing convenience, security, and energy conservation. However, like all things, they too have certain drawbacks. While these are few, they’re still worth noting, especially if one is considering implementing smart home technology.

Advantages of Smart Housing Systems

Here are the biggest benefits of smart housing:

Better Convenience and Higher Security

Smart homes enable users to control devices and appliances from a single interface or platform. This offers greater convenience since users only need to navigate one application to control and monitor several devices and appliances in their homes. 

For example, an app can control lighting and electronics such as the oven, heater, air conditioning, etc. 

An air conditioning unit can be switched on or be scheduled to turn on at a certain time every day even if the homeowner isn’t in the house. By the time they arrive from work, their home will already be at a comfortable temperature.

Front doors and security systems can also employ smart technology. With a smart security system, residents can see who is at the front door using their app and even unlock their door from a distance. This is definitely an improvement in security and convenience.

Improved Functionality for Appliances

Each appliance in a smart home can enhance the user’s living conditions by simplifying and scheduling tasks as well as optimizing the functionality of appliances.

For example, a smart oven can help can cook dishes without needing the user to constantly check and adjust the temperature. This is useful for delivering perfectly cooked food, reducing waste, and making the cooking experience more efficient.

The same applies to entertainment systems where users can control their sound systems with the press of a button.

Greater Control and Easier Management 

Smart homes enable appliances and home systems to be monitored and controlled remotely. They can also offer insights on energy consumption and other relevant data. This information can give homeowners greater control over their energy consumption and influence how they use their appliances.

For example, lights can be configured to automatically switch off when a room is empty or to switch on when the sun sets to reduce energy use and control consumption. 

This is beneficial to the environment and helps reduce electric bills.

Disadvantages of Smart Housing Systems

Despite smart housing systems’ long list of advantages, there are certain drawbacks that can make homeowners apprehensive about adopting the technology.

Technical and Hacking Risks

As is the case with all internet-connected devices, smart systems have security risks. They can be vulnerable to hacking, technical glitches, and malfunctioning. Such issues can be challenging and expensive to repair without professional assistance.

Expensive

Though popular, smart homes are still relatively new. Therefore, they can be quite expensive and are certainly more pricey than their non-smart counterparts. This is a major reason why people are often hesitant about incorporating smart technology into their homes. 

Virtual Tours for Smart Homes

People who are curious yet hesitant about smart housing can take virtual tours before making a decision. Virtual tours of smart homes provide a room-by-room breakdown of how different smart home technologies can be used to reinvent and enhance living spaces. 

They also get the usual benefits of virtual tours like understanding the layout of a house without having to physically visit it. Here are other reasons to consider taking virtual tours of smart homes:

• Can be taken anytime and from anywhere
• Saves time and cost
• Allows interested buyers to visualize what living there will be like 
• Lets people appreciate smart technology without having to implement it in their homes
• Enables potential homeowners to pinpoint possible issues and take note of a home’s unique features

Conclusion

Anticipated to be worth $314 billion by 2026, the popularity and demand for smart housing are growing. It isn’t hard to see why since they combine functionality, technology, and sustainability. 

While the advantages of smart housing may be harder to grasp for some audiences, virtual tours can help drive home its abstract concepts and benefits. Plus Render can help real estate players and homeowners with visually accurate, thought-provoking, and immersive experiences that bring smart homes to life. 

Plus Render is a trusted and reliable company that can assist clients with high-quality 3D architecture renders, infographics, 3D virtual reality projects, and other video rendering assignments. To learn more, visit our site or schedule a call. We’ll be happy to work with you!