[ Spotlight: Smart homes ]
Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) and director of Cornflake, this comes as no surprise. He comments: ‘The average projected turnover for custom installation companies in 2012 stood at £1.43m, which is up from a reported £1.27m in 2011. Market research sized the UK residential custom installation sector as being worth between £720m and £950m for 2011, with a predicted market value of £1.07bn in 2012.’ These figures bear out the ECA’s long-standing belief in the potential of the smart homes sector for electrical contractors that are prepared to diversify into this area. David Stefanowicz, ECA ITEC’s technical manager, says: ‘The smart home sector is really starting to gain momentum. We are all looking for increased functionality in our homes, and new products are constantly being developed that allow us to achieve this.’
The more the merrier While the way technology is being used to enhance our leisure time is evident, manufacturers are also focusing on developing integrated smart products that have a positive impact on all aspects of a home’s infrastructure. Mark Tallent, international product manager for lighting and building controls at Crestron,
About the author
Rob Shepherd is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to ECA Today. He has worked in the electrical contracting industry for more than 14 years.
Lighting
management sensors
We are all looking for increased functionality in our homes, and new products are constantly being developed that allow us to achieve this
says: ‘Consumers are looking to integrate all the different electronic systems they have, and the explosion of tablet devices and smartphones has meant that more and more people are aware of the lifestyle benefits of today’s integration and control technology.’ Richard Hayward, marketing manager at
Legrand, adds: ‘Products that play a key role in controlling lighting, heating, air-conditioning and door entry improve the functionality of the domestic environment. They also help improve its energy efficiency – another of the main reasons for the growth in smart homes.’ For Schneider Electric, this aspect of smart
home development offers a multitude of possibilities. Its marketing manager, Marc Gaunt,
Arteor from Legrand
March 2013 ECA Today 33
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