Smart home integration: an electrician's secret weapon

Smart technology is on the rise in Australia, and when you look at the potential lifestyle benefits, it’s not hard to see why people are making the switch. The scalability of smart home products means homeowners have the flexibility to adapt their home to their evolving needs and meet their energy saving goals.

With the ‘tech savvy’ among us investing in smart home automation for some time, technology is now more accessible and affordable for more Australians.

While the convenience of smart technology and new, affordable alternatives to extensive systems such as SpaceLogic C-Bus have driven more interest, there still remains a disconnect between the idea and reality of having a smart home.

A 2023 survey conducted by Telsyte shows that Australian households are expected to have an average of 33 connected smart home devices by 2026.¹ So while it is clear that Australians are beginning to adopt smart technology, the survey found that around half a million consumers only started their smart home journey during the past 12 months, which could open up further revenue for electricians throughout 2023 and into next year.

There is also an increasing need for affordable and accessible smart home technologies that are good for the environment and can be easily installed without extensive rewiring of a home. As technology diversifies and affordability of smart devices improves, this opens a potentially huge untapped market for electricians to offer a whole-of-home solution.

Obstacles for deployment of smart home technologies

Smart technology brands and manufacturers recognise the key role that electricians play in homeowners’ adoption. Previously, these high-end home control systems were unaffordable and therefore out of reach for most Australian homeowners. Today, adoption is set to ramp up with the availability of affordable and scalable home automation systems, such as Clipsal Wiser Smart Home, giving all Australians the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from sustainable living by putting homeowners in control of their energy usage.

The convenience of smart technology is a key factor in its growing popularity; however, not all Australians have the knowledge to implement the technology. Telsyte found that 41% of Australian households need help to set up internet-connected devices.² It’s clear that while knowing about smart technology is one thing, deploying it is another matter altogether. This points to a significant business opportunity for electricians who are now in a stronger position to grow their business by offering the latest digital solutions and services.

However, as important as it is for electricians to educate Australians on these digital home offerings, smart technology manufacturers must also recognise the key role electricians play in homeowner adoption.

Upskilling to meet the needs of consumers

To support trade partners and ensure electricians can assist Australians with all electrical enquiries, including smart homes, companies should continue to offer training and certification programs designed to make electricians the go-to for all solutions. Through these programs electricians can acquire design, installation and repair skills for digital deployments, setting themselves apart while also increasing their own skill sets.

Alongside an electrician’s ability to upgrade their skills, they are in a unique position to assist homeowners with electric home design, providing an additional service that contributes to an overall enjoyment of their homes.

Consumers can now start small with a single device and upgrade their systems progressively based on their individual needs. This approach to smart home integration benefits electricians greatly with the cost of basic installation remaining low. The interoperability of smart technology facilitates expansion as demand rises; then, as customers progress to more advanced systems, the electrician’s margins will likely increase.

A smart business move

The rise of smart technology and digitisation is creating exciting opportunities for Australian electricians to have more profitable businesses, while expanding their own technical knowledge. With Australian homes in varying stages of automation, electricians should be leveraging the scalability of products like Clipsal Wiser to ensure homeowners have everything they need to set their homes up for convenience, lifestyle and environmental benefits.

Smart home installation is a relatively untapped market in Australia and electricians across the country are set to play an increasingly important role in convincing homeowners to invest in scalable systems. This is a real business opportunity for the electricians of the future who are ready to upskill.

Visit https://www.clipsal.com/wiser/electrician for more information.

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Image credit: iStock.com/Arkadiusz Warguła