Technology continues to advance and become more accessible worldwide. As a result, it has changed how people live, work, and play. They open the world to new possibilities and trends as they become more available and affordable. One such trend is smart living.
What does ‘smart living’ mean?
When one hears of smart devices or smart living, what usually come to mind are automatic lights, smartphones, and smartwatches. But smart living is not simply owning these devices. Instead, it is the result of the integration of these technologies to benefit one’s daily life. In short, it is making use of technology to save time, money, and the environment.
Smart living in the Philippines
In the Philippines, smart living is steadily becoming a byword because of the technology’s increased accessibility and affordability. Furthermore, the country is also home to a growing consumer base of tech products that increase efficiency and productivity.
A report from Statista from February 2022 revealed that there is continuous growth in the smart home market in the Philippines. The year-on-year increase for smart home control and connectivity devices was 71%. This is followed by the demand for energy management and comfort and lighting smart homes at 54.6% and 51.8%, respectively. With positive numbers, smart living in the Philippines will likely only continue growing in popularity as more people realize its benefits.
What drives the demand for smart living?
There are many reasons that make people shift to a smart lifestyle. Smart devices can come in many forms and sizes, but they all work for the same end goals. Ultimately, they all result in efficiency, convenience, and improved quality of life. But what actually makes smart living attractive for everybody?
Keeping you safe and secure
With smart devices, keeping homes safe and secure has also become more manageable. For example, security cameras allow homeowners to monitor their homes even when they are not around. In addition, there are also smart door locks that only open to biometrics or passwords, making them harder to break into physically.
Smart carbon monoxide and smoke detectors can warn homeowners when dangerous gasses are in the house. Furthermore, some can turn off the gas supply automatically or notify emergency services if necessary.
It saves time
Time is a valuable resource, and people are willing to spend on technology that saves them even a little bit of time daily. With smart devices, automating repetitive tasks that would typically require manual intervention becomes a breeze. For instance, smart appliances can operate independently or automatically adjust lights, room temperature, and even laundry cycles.
It saves money
Aside from saving time, smart technology also helps everyone save money. Smart devices can optimize the best time to power on, off, or stay idle. For households, this means devices only turn on when you need them, which means lower energy costs.
Aside from these practical savings, having a smart home system can also lower insurance payments. For instance, many insurance providers offer discounts to homeowners with security systems installed. The same system also prevents burglary and loss due to damage or theft.
Sense of control
Automated devices allow an individual to configure every aspect of their home. In other words, homeowners are in complete control of their environment. Aside from the security systems in place, homeowners can customize their home settings further with automation. As a result, family members can also better relax at home and improve their well-being.
Smoother communication
The lockdowns from the previous years have tested the limits of virtual communication in the workplace and at home. With the latest advancements in home automation, it is now easier for family members to synchronize their schedules. This way, nobody misses an important family event.
In addition, smart devices also improve external communication. Home assistants can schedule messages and make phone calls to friends and colleagues.
Lastly, smart devices also improve communication between many devices at home. For instance, smart home automation links different devices, from security cameras to air conditioning systems. This way, home devices can be grouped so that one tap on a mobile phone can accomplish a series of tasks.
Eco-friendliness and sustainability
Another upside of smart living is its push for more eco-friendly and sustainable products, which appeals to both companies and customers alike. As mentioned, smart devices reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, smart appliances also use updated technology that helps them operate efficiently and minimize energy consumption.
What makes a ‘smart living.’
Fundamentally, smart living technologies account for connectivity, automation, efficiency, sustainability, comfort, and convenience.
Everything is interconnected
Interconnectivity is one of the most critical aspects of smart living. For starters, this allows various smart living technologies to ‘talk’ to each other and with their users. Secondly, this connection makes monitoring and controlling home equipment in real-time possible.
Option for automation
Most smart living technologies are designed to be automated. This enables people to save time and effort while completing complex tasks. For instance, a smart home system can program a home to turn on lights at a specific time of the day. Furthermore, the same system can also regulate your air conditioning depending on the temperature.
Investment for efficiency
The efficient design of smart living technology enables people to conserve resources like water, energy, and other natural resources. A smart lighting system, for instance, can automatically switch off lights in empty rooms to save energy and cut down on electricity costs. With your daily routine optimized, you also improve your overall performance.
Emphasis on sustainability
Many smart home technologies are geared toward sustainability, assisting users in minimizing their negative effects on the environment. In other words, a smart home supports a more environmentally friendly life. Many smart living systems, for instance, are equipped with renewable energy sources like solar panels.
Comfort and convenience
The increased comfort and convenience that smart living provides are some of its main advantages. People can easily control and monitor the environment, security, and other systems in their homes thanks to smart home technologies, which add convenience and peace of mind.
Challenges to smart living
There are various hurdles to the adoption of smart living technologies, and addressing these challenges will be important to the future growth and success of the smart home business.
Installation cost
The price of getting smart home appliances and installing them is one of its biggest obstacles. Many of these devices can save money in the long run through energy savings and other benefits. However, the upfront cost can be a barrier for some homeowners. It will be crucial for producers to keep making their products more affordable and cost-effective in order to meet this challenge.
Complexity of setup
The complexity of installing and utilizing smart home technology is another difficulty. Some homeowners may find the installation and configuration process overwhelming and intimidating. Manufacturers must make their products more user-friendly and simple to use. Similarly, they must also give homeowners clear and concise instructions and support to overcome this challenge.
Security concerns
Lastly, there are still concerns about the security and privacy of smart home technology. As more devices connect and become dependent on the internet, concerns over the probability of hacking and exploitation of smart devices also grow. Manufacturers must emphasize security in the design and development of their goods in order to meet this challenge. They must also put strong security measures in place to safeguard the data and privacy of homeowners.
The future of smart living
With new and exciting technological advancements, life has become simpler and more practical, especially at home. Furthermore, recent developments, more affordable technology, and widespread internet access continue to popularize the smart lifestyle and its benefits.
Given these, it is also no surprise that its consumer base grows yearly. And with greater demand, we may anticipate even more cutting-edge and complex smart home capabilities in the future.
This is why Camella, the country’s premier real estate developer with the widest geographic reach, realized that to meet the growing needs of their markets, the brand had to infuse smart technology into the condominium developments they are building. Camella is evolving its well-loved concept of themed neighborhoods by re-creating its residential communities as resort-themed and smart “vertical villages.”
More than coming in rife with the same popular amenities Camella communities are known for, the condominium properties will be “smart buildings,” including key card entry and alarm systems in the units, making them beacon of progress and convenience amidst business and commercial centers, service centers, top educational institutions, places of worship, and major transportation hubs.
For your smart home options, check out Camella’s latest home technology offerings.
