Smart Homes Trend picking up in India
The ‘Smart Home’ concept is catching on in India in a big way, with many residential developers of luxury homes implementing this concept in their projects. Even though it is a western concept, it has been widely accepted across all major cities across India. It provides owners with comfort, luxury, security, energy efficiency and convenience, all at the same time. According to JLL-India, smart homes represent only about 3-4 per cent of the total residential space. But with increasing awareness and higher incomes, the market for these homes is definitely headed north.
Concept:
What is the uniqueness that ‘Smart Homes‘ provide? The uniqueness of a ‘Smart Home’ is that it has various facilities that you can control either from your home or from a remote location. They include different types of applicances that include TVs, computers, refrigerators, audio and video systems, heating, lighting and air conditioning systems as well as security and camera systems. Besides communicating with each other, they can also be remotely controlled using a pre-set timer. Appliances can be controlled through your mobile phone or internet from within the house as well as from any remote location including other countries.
Technology:
‘Smart Homes’ involve the installation of smart home automation products that come in one of four protocols for communication with each other. Moreover, these products should be compatible with the internet, phone or mobile phones. The names of these four protocols are Z-Wave, UPB, X10 and EnOcean. Besides, owners can also add products or hardware that use the same protocol according to their conveniece and budget to meet the growing needs of the family. Such products are available from different manufacturers in various price ranges.
Features:
There are many conveniences that ‘Smart Homes’ offer owners within the premises of their homes or in their vicinity. It starts from the gates of your home opening automatically sensing your car’s arrival. This is followed by the front door opening on your arrival, the lights turning on after you enter a room, water flowing from a tap based on touch sensors etc. Similarly, one can operate different devices to control lighting, your entertainment systems, the room temperature, your home appliances, your home security systems etc. All this is possible through a single touch screen panel or through a remote device.
Convenience when away:
The actual significance of a ‘Smart Home’ can be experienced in the true sense of the word when you are away from home. It enables you to monitor activities at home through various automated devices using the internet or your mobile phone. This includes ensuring that your doors are locked, the security alarm is on and the lights are turned off. It also enable you to monitor the activities of your children when you are away through video surveillance cameras installed across your home. Moreover, you will be informed by your refrigerator about the components that are stored in it, and if something needs to be purchased.
Benefits for the elderly:
‘Smart Homes’ are extremely benefitial to the elderly residents of a home. They provide alerts when it is time for a particular medicine to be taken. In case of accidents that may take place within the home, the hospital is alerted. Moreover, if an elderly resident needs urgent help or in case of an emergency health need, they just need to press a soft panic button at home. Their requirement is immediately communicated remotely through automated devices.
Developers and prices:
Smart Homes are found in all major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Some of the major residential developers offering ‘Smart Homes’ across India are Shoba Developers, Mantri Developers, Prestige Group, Lodha Group, Wadhwa Group, Hiranandani Developers, DLF, Supertech, MAK Projects, Modi Developers, VGN Developers, Puravankara Projects, Marvel Realtors etc. The price range of such projects is between Rs.1.5-2 crore.
