Page 64 - Green Builder Magazine January 2016 Digital Edition

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THE INTERNET OF THINGS

Seeking Connection

A new survey shows that connected technology makes homes more

attractive to homebuyers, with solar panels topping the list.

BY GREEN BUILDER STAFF How much UK homeowners pay
for Digital Home Technology
ARECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED by the U.K. firm Barclays
Mortgages asked property buyers in the U.K. whether Smart Smart Smart locks Solar panel(s)
they would pay more for a home equipped with smart doorbell home hub
technology. About a third (28 percent), said they would £868 £1,964
pay over £3,310 extra ($5,031). But if you read the survey £461 £668
results closely, it’s really as much an endorsement of solar energy as £2,000
a nod to the latest IoT gear. £400 Data: Barclays Mortgages/YouGov

The Digital Home Report raises some interesting points about Smart SOURCE: BARCLAYS
where the public stands psychologically with regards to smart home security alarm
technology. For example, in some areas, the public is right on the
edge of the curve, with people were more willing to spend on fast £705
Internet than to have a big garden.
Whole home Smart oven
Below is a table showing the five connected technologies for which audio system
homebuyers would be most likely to pay extra, along with the five £844
least popular technologies. Solar panels top the list. £798

U.K. homeowners surveyed showed more interest in technology use new technology, and what to invest in first, and they’re starting
and devices that could save energy and money—smart meters and with the less sexy infrastructure and working up to gadgets. GB
heat sensors, for example—rather than those that simply offer
convenience. When asked which current technologies they are most Read the full report here: http://bit.ly/1OOOe7g
likely to invest in in the near future, homeowners listed fiber-optic
broadband, built-in USB sockets, smart meters, smart thermostats
and solar panels as their top five picks. These results echo many
surveys conducted in the U.S., which reveal that Americans are
most interested in the smart home categories of safety/security and
energy management.

For those of us in the building industry, most encouraging is the
fact that people seem to be thinking more deeply about how they will

CONNECTED TECHNOLOGY FOR WHICH HOMEBUYERS WOULD PAY EXTRA (BY POPULARITY)

Top 5 Bottom 5

1 Solar panels (31%) 1 Smart Fridge (4%)

2 Fiber Optic Cable (21%) 2 Smart Doorbell (5%)

3 Smart Security Alarm (19%) 3 Smart Oven (5%)

4 Sensor Technology (16%) 4 Mobile Signal Box (8%)

5 Smart Thermostat (15%) 5 Induction Cooktop (8%)

62 GREEN BUILDER January/February 2016 www.greenbuildermedia.com