The connected home landscape is evolving and becoming more complex as it does so. Earlier this year, CEDIA® produced an interactive survey aimed to engage professional and consumer audiences on The Future of the Connected Home. Nine months on, and exclusively for Architects Datafile, Matt Nimmons, Operations Director for CEDIA, outlines the report’s main findings and explains where the future of the connected home is heading for architects and other professionals in the construction industry.
As the international trade association and central touch point for nearly 4,000 member companies that represent every facet of the home technology sector, CEDIA has a responsibility to inform architects, contractors, builders and other professionals in the construction industry about the world of the connected home, so that they can make the right decisions around specifying technology for projects, now and in the future.
But we recognise that this education is a two way street.
We need to listen to building professionals, find out what they understand about technology already, and what their requirements and concerns might be around the subject. CEDIA created its interactive survey to help understand the thoughts, requirements and behaviours of consumers and professionals on the current and future prospect of the connected home.
The Future of the Connected Home survey allows participants to share their thoughts on a range of subjects, including the scale of the connected home sector, the likely appeal of different technology sub-systems, the impact of broadband availability, potential project budgets and priorities for connected home installations.
With over 450 participants taking part in the interactive questionnaire, CEDIA is pleased to publish the report, outlining the key findings from the answers received.
Key findings
One of the most important findings to come from the report was that 63 per cent of respondents estimate that there will be 10 or more connected devices per household by 2020. In addition, 48 per cent believed households will have 15 or more devices, while 31 per cent think that each household will include a total of 20 devices by 2020. This illustrates an impressive and healthy outlook for connected homes over the next three to four years and beyond. In particular, architects were the professional industry leading the estimate of households having around 20 connected devices by 2020.
Research by Frost & Sullivan, ‘The Future of Smart & Connected Homes: Key Trends in Customer Attitudes 2015’ found that there will be 10 connected devices to every household. However, more recent research supports CEDIA’s findings that households will have a larger number of connected technology.
Other key findings from the report include:
- 41 per cent of respondents believe intelligent lighting and security systems will be commonplace in five years
- Cost savings and control of energy are the main drivers for installing smart home technology
- 32 per cent of participants saw no barriers to adopting connected home technology
Exploring the market
No longer a preserve of the super-rich, the connected home is becoming more obtainable and desired by today’s homebuyer. In order to help architects and professionals involved in the building industry tap into this market of smart home technology, CEDIA developed a RIBA, BIID and RIAI Accredited CPD (Continuing Professional Development) entitled, ‘Designing Integrated Future-Ready Homes’. This CPD has been designed to educate professionals on how to master the art of designing and installing integrated future-ready homes. The CPD is presented to over 700 design professionals a year. It is ideal for those architects who are looking to understand the basics of smart home technology.
In addition, CEDIA has produced a Recommended Smart Home Wiring Guidelines which provides architects with the core information they need to know when wiring for the modern, connected home.
The interactive survey is still open for users to participate. All those who complete the survey are entitled to receive a copy of the final report and the opportunity to attend a CEDIA CPD session. For more information or to book a space on a CEDIA CPD or training event, please visit www.cedia.co.uk/cedia-events or email education(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)cedia.co.uk.