New Builds
Home Technology is a crucial part of our every day lives now, and no one can debate that. Our reliance on our portable devices combined with the capabilities of modern cars has resulted in a total change of what all new homes now come with.
Does that sound true? Sadly, it's not true. We do expect a lot from our phones and tablets, and we do generally get a lot from our cars, but in terms of what we get when we part with our hard-earned cash, our homes are lagging behind quite significantly. In truth, domestic wiring hasn't really changed in the last 20 - 30 years. Multiple TV aerials are common, and so are telephone points in most rooms. There was a time when this would have been desirable because the technology of the day (analogue TVs and landline phones) required this infrastructure. As time has moved on, however, the wiring plans have not. I think a lot of this is due to the rate of growth of technology. It has been difficult for people outside of this industry to simply keep up with the innovative products out there, and what they require. Since the first iPhone was announced (only 10 years ago), we've been through multiple TV resolution standards (standard definition, 720p, 1080p, 4K) with HDR becoming more commonplace and our reliance on WiFi (not just for computers, but all sorts of devices) has skyrocketed.
This rapid change is just too much for a builder or domestic electrician to think about. It is not their industry. In the same way that a builder wouldn't tackle a gas installation unless qualified and experienced, he or she shouldn't install or be expected to even provide for home technology. Builders shouldn't need to worry about why and how modern building techniques are WiFi's worst enemy. Electricians don't have to (or even want to) worry about what a structured data cable network is and why it's crucial for a modern home. Plumbers don't necessarily need to understand how smart home control products work in the background. This is when a Home Technology Professional is required. Someone or some company who can work with all trades of a project to deliver a modern, compliant and capable home.
Let us ditch the unused phone sockets around the house. Let us not deem "multiple double power sockets in each bedroom" as a "perk" from a property developer. And let us ban Sky Installers nailing satellite cable down the front of our house, drilling a great big hole through the wall and then again nailing the cable along our skirting boards, all because no one had the foresight to allow for the infrastructure. 🤦
Instead, let's work together to achieve:
Whole house WiFi with no dead spots
Energy-saving intelligent heating systems
Integrated CCTV security cameras and access control
Multi-room audio and video
Ease of use of all technology in the home
Information security
What's next?
Speak to your architect if you're embarking on your own building project, and tell them what you expect to have in your new home. If you're looking at a house in a new development, tell the developer if something isn't up to scratch. And if you need a second opinion, tell us.
Let's get ready for 2020, 2030 and beyond.
In my next post, I'll be looking at how we can work together with existing trades to make all this possible, and most importantly affordable, for the customer.