There is no better time than now to start a renovation project, but before you pick up the sledgehammer to take out that wall, planning is the one of the most integral steps you can take to ensure your home looks great, meets individual needs and enhances your life. Creating a plan to make sure your home works for you should be your highest priority before undertaking any renovation project.
"Homeowners often don't consider their electrical and smart home needs at the beginning of the renovation process, which is a missed opportunity. Planning is the most vital stage of a project if you want to get the most out of your home in terms of look, feel, and functionality," says Chris Kerr, Vice President, Home & Distribution at Clipsal by Schneider Electric.
To inspire those about to kick start their renovation journey, Chris tells us why smart touches should be at the top of your wish list.
Let your home work for you, not the other way around
The technology landscape has evolved rapidly over the past five years, giving Australians the ability to seamlessly control their homes. We have enough to think about around the home, so investing in smart home systems, such as Clipsal Wiser™ Smart Home, should make it easier, not more complicated, to automate your home's functions. For instance, getting ready in the morning in winter can be a hassle, having a heated towel rail that automatically turns on and off when you get up in the morning is one thing to make to help the day run smoothly. No thinking or action required.
Achieve your energy goals
With smart home automation, you can use Clipsal's Wiser by SE app to keep track of which devices are switched on to help homeowners see what's currently in use. From there, automating functions can assist you in meeting your energy goals (and thereby reducing bills) by helping to ensure that power is not wasted. A smart home can even help you save by turning appliances such as air conditioners off when it detects the aircon isn't needed – whether the optimal temperature has been met, or a window or door has been opened for ventilation.
Experience optimised living
A functional home isn't one that flows nicely, but one that meets and even anticipates a homeowner's needs and routines. Ensuring you have a good internet connection is just as important as the products in the home, and good network cabling adds to the overall internet speeds. A home that offers comfort, energy efficiency and peace of mind can look different to every homeowner. Simple automation settings such as dimming the lights when you are falling asleep or lighting up with sunrise can make a huge impact on liveability and lifestyle.
Use automation to keep homes healthy
During the planning process of a renovation, homeowners need to look to the future and the health of the home. For instance, parts of Australia's eastern seaboard can be quite humid, so automating functions like air conditioning to manage airflow, exhaust fans to turn on and off when needed and blinds to open and close can assist in making sure homes stay cool and dry, helps aid humidity control, which could solve or ease mould problems, while also adding a layer of security to a home.
Find the right electrician for your project
Engaging the right electrician for a renovation project to plan and create the home of your dreams is incredibly important. Not only are electricians certified installers, they can provide homeowners with invaluable insight on the placement of devices, while providing information on the latest products, how they can benefit individual rooms and enhance day to day life. You can even with a single product and scale to adapt to changing needs.
Smart home automation doesn't have to be hard or break the bank: starting with the products that you know you need or want is the perfect solution. Renovators who are looking to delve into their next project (no matter what the size) should have smart home touches at the top of their list.
