IT’S HARD TO imagine a life without WiFi, smartphones and streaming services but, really, these products are pretty recent additions to our homes.
And with technology constantly evolving, tech products are holding bigger and bigger roles in our home life – from smart bulbs to heat pumps.
So, what tech do you actually need when buying a new home? We spoke to architect and interior designer Denise O’Connor from Optimise Design about what to look for when house-hunting, as well as the tech products worth adding yourself.
Think about the fundamentals
Along with modern design and contemporary finishes, buying a new build often means you’ll also benefit from up-to-date features and technology. In new properties from Glenveagh Homes, for example, A-rated heating pumps and wiring for electric car charging points are common features.
Even if you’re already clear on the tech that’s included in your potential new home, it’s worth following up with your own questions. One important thing to ask about at a viewing, says Denise, is the WiFi setup.
“Especially since working from home, good WiFi and good broadband speed is really, really important for people,” she says. “Not everywhere has fibre broadband, so it’s important to make sure that you will have a good connection. Ask how the house is set up, what’s the connection like, are there boosters?
We rely on WiFi so much at the moment, it needs to be stable. Whether it’s for the kids on an Xbox or watching Netflix with the family or having a Zoom meeting, you want your connection to be really good.
Pay attention to the heating system
Another important feature to ask about, says Denise, is the heating system. “Smart heat pumps and heating systems are fantastic,” she says. “Especially for new homes, they’re ideal because they’re so well insulated. The savings are huge.”
It’s also worth enquiring about whether the house is fitted with solar panels, says Denise, to maximise your savings further. “Solar panels are a really efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly way to heat your home. You’re basically creating the electricity yourself and then using that electricity to heat your house.”
Heat pump heating systems often include a smart thermostat feature, which can make heating your home even easier, says Denise.
“There are thermostats that are WiFi enabled, so what’s brilliant about them is they start to understand how you use your house. It can be a really efficient way of heating your home. For example, it’ll know what temperature you like at what times of day. It’ll have things on certain circuits and timelines. It becomes very predictive, and that takes the worry away of you having to set things.”
Technology can play a big part in your home security system too, says Denise. “It’s important to ask about what kind of alarm system they’re putting in, because sometimes that doesn’t come as standard. But there are wireless systems too and, again, they all link back to your phone.
The kinds of systems you could get years ago would have cost an absolute arm and a leg, but now they’re really affordable.
Decide what you’ll add when you move in
Once you’ve considered which larger home tech infrastructure is important to you, it’s time to start planning the products you can add yourself. A smart home device like Google Home or Alexa is a good place to start, says Denise.
“These are things that we’re starting to rely on. In my own house, the kids have one in their bedroom and it’s brilliant for everything from homework to music. We’ve connected it to the speakers in the ceiling so we can play music from it and we can control the speakers all over the house. We can control our television from it. You can sync everything up.”
Bulbs that operate via Bluetooth or WiFi are another great feature, says Denise. “In the past you would have had to have a really expensive smart home wired-in system for lighting like this, whereas now you can just buy these bulbs. You can operate them from your phone, you can create different lighting scenes, different settings. It’s even possible to have a setting for when the kids are going to bed and where all the lights dim.
“It’s also brilliant if you’re away. You can control the lights in your house from your phone so that it gives the impression that somebody’s home as well. So from a security point of view, it’s really good too.”
Buying a new home often means buying new appliances, and this is an opportunity to make sure you’re choosing the most efficient device, says Denise, whether it’s a microwave or an oven.
There are lots and lots of appliances available that take the stress out of doing the more mundane chores that we’ve all have to do much more over the last 12 months.
“Some appliances are pre-programmed to make your life easier. For example, there are ovens where you can input what you’re cooking and it’ll work out the temperature and time. It’ll work away and you don’t have to think about it again. They’re super easy to use, and not at all scary. You don’t have to be tech savvy at all to operate these things.”
When it comes to buying a new home, Denise says the key when looking at tech is to “keep it all efficient.”
“Keep it easy for you to add in whatever you want yourself as well. Understand what’s being provided and take that into account, and then look at how you can build on that over time.”
At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.
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