The Latest in Smart Home Technology

At David Reid Homes, we work closely with the team at PDL by Schneider Electric to ensure we're ahead of the game with the latest in smart home technologies.

Technology can offer comfort, convenience, security, and energy efficiency to home owners, even when no one is home.

Smart home technologies vary in their automation, from remote control via smart phones and tablets, to timers and voice control from within the home, depending on the needs of the client. 

PDL by Schneider Electric have compiled a list of some of the smart home control trends they're seeing in the New Zealand Market:

• Lighting control – Lighting has the power to transform a room, showcase your interiors and create the perfect ambience. Use smart lighting and group controls to manage various lighting layers (ambient, task, accent and decorative lighting) with one touch.

  
  
• Window treatments – blinds, curtains and shutters can also be automated for ease of operation and set on schedules to open/close at pre-programmed times or on triggers such as lux levels or room temperature
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• Energy Efficiency – consider schedules for operation of underfloor heating, hot water cylinders, heated towel rails and bathroom fans. These can be programmed to turn on/off at certain times for energy and cost efficiencies
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• Scene control – Smart home technology can be used to create scenes using group controls. (A ‘watch movie’ scene could dim the lights, close the blinds and turn the TV to Netflix with the touch of a button. An ‘arrive home’ scene could turn on all outdoor and entry lights, open the garage door, disarm the alarm and turn on the heat pump.
• Integration to security & surveillance - Door locking and unlocking & security cameras can be integrated with smart home controls
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• Heating & air conditioning – temperature is also key to the ambience of a room. Heat pumps, air conditioning and electric/gas fireplaces can also be integrated with smart home controls
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• Smart App control– Schneider’s Push control creates a seamless and connected smart home. Push brings the control of your home’s devices, systems and appliances (irrespective of brand) to one easy-to-use device, giving you the ability to control lighting, audio visual, climate, security, blinds, multi-media and energy management. This means you can operate your home technology with just the push of a button, giving you greater connectivity, simplicity, comfort and control in the home.

  
  
• Geofencing - Another evolution in the smart home space, geofencing is the use of GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary. This enables software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves a particular area. When connected to your smartphone, your system can identify that you are nearby, and be configured to perform different functions in your home triggered by your proximity.
  
  
• Voice control - integration with voice recognition systems such as Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod adds another dimension to smart home control. As well as being able to use voice commands to operate smart home functions, a voice-integrated smart home can offer assistance for elderly and disabled people to meet their unique situations and abilities. It can help with limited mobility, sensory disabilities, even intellectual disabilities and can help increase ease of use for day to day functions to maintain an independent lifestyle.


Contact your nearest David Reid Homes office for information on how they can help you to create a modern, comfortable and smart home to fit your needs.