The smart way to build: 5 ways to leverage technology when building a custom home

There’s no doubt that we’re living in the age of technology. So why not leverage these technologies in your home? Aussie smart technologies are on the rise, and building a custom home means you get the choice in what features you want to be installed for convenience and peace of mind. Here are our top 5 smart technologies for the home and how you can use them to your advantage.

1: Security systems

If you’re looking for a home security system that gives you peace of mind, a smart security system could be the way to go. A basic smart security package will include motion sensors for the front of your home, door and window sensors for your main entry points, and a video camera for your front door. From there you can choose to add other features such as extra sensors or video cameras for complete coverage of your home.

Smart security systems are great as they allow you to keep an eye on things no matter where you are. Depending on your preferences, you’ll be notified of any security threats via the app where you can check the video feed and decide on your next steps, such as contacting the authorities if there is indeed an intruder. You can also set up automations to let you know when packages have been delivered or someone is approaching your front door.

2: Smart locks

Another great security feature to consider is a smart lock for your front door. You may be familiar with modern keypad locks that use a number code for access to your house, rather than a traditional key. With these locks, you never have to worry about being locked out of the house again, and can lighten your keyring with one less key to carry around.

High-tech smart locks take this a step further by including a camera that recognises house members for keyless access. You can also review visitors on your phone before letting them in, whether you’re sitting on the couch, or letting a friend in remotely to drop something off. There’s even the option to give a person access privileges for specific days and times, so if you have a babysitter or dog walker they can come and go as needed without having a key to your home. Yes, these locks are the definition of living in the future and provide your house with an added layer of protection.

3: Air conditioning

As Bundaberg home builders, we know the value of a good air conditioner. While you’re probably used to controlling your heating and cooling via a panel on the wall, many air conditioners now come with apps that allow you to control the unit right from your phone.

Imagine a blistering hot day where all you want is to get home and relax in a cool environment. Now, you can turn on your air conditioner and control the temperature with the touch of a button, whether you’re coming home from work, a holiday, or just from the shops.

Many air conditioners are also compatible with home assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, so you can control the temperature of the room with a simple voice command. Depending on your unit, your app may even monitor your energy usage and provide recommendations on how to save you energy and money – win-win!

4: Internal lights and smart appliances

One of the first things that come to mind when we say smart technologies is smart lights. With the ability to conveniently turn lights on and off from your phone or with voice commands to your smart home system (e.g. Alexa, Siri, Google Home), many smart lights also have precise controls for dimming brightness and choosing your lighting colour. In some cases, you can automate smart lights to change based on the song or movie playing in a room.

There are also a number of appliances that now offer smart versions. Perhaps you’d like a smart rangehood with a built-in screen to search for new recipes or video chat with friends while you cook. Maybe a smart toaster that cooks products perfectly every time sounds like a dream. Or, you could opt for a smart fridge that allows you to see what’s inside your fridge, plan your meals and grocery lists, and sync apps like your calendar, weather, or streaming services straight to your fridge’s built-in screen. No matter what your smart appliance needs are, the options are endless.

5: Smoke and water detectors

If you’re serious about home safety, a smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector could be for you. These modern fire alarms not only alert you like a traditional smoke alarm, but also send an alert to your phone, so if you’re not at home you know immediately that there is a fire. As an added bonus, these detectors won’t beep when the batteries are low, but will instead send you a notification through the app.

On the flip side, smoke detectors are smart leak detectors. These clever devices use sensors to monitor for excess water, or moisture where there shouldn’t be. Simply install them in places likely to leak such as under the sink or around the toilet, and the app will alert you when there is a possible leak. You can also connect these devices to a smart water valve that will turn off your water when a possible leak is detected, as well as giving you control from your phone to turn your water valve on or off if you’re leaving the house for a long trip.

No matter what smart technologies you want in your home, we can help. If you’re looking for a home builder in Bundaberg, contact us to learn more about how we can bring your dream home to life.