Are You Ready For A Smart Future? Rhian Bartlett, Trading Director at Screwfix looks at the latest home automation trends
Digital technology, whether employed in the home for safety and security, comfort and convenience or health and wellbeing is seen by many as a positive addition to the home environment. Indeed according to the latest Smart Home Week survey, more than 40 percent of UK homeowners now own at least one connected device in the home. That’s an increase of just under a third more from the previous year, an indication that adoption and investment in smart technology is increasing across all demographics.
To meet this increasing demand for integrated smart technology in homes, Screwfix is on hand with the latest products and state-of-the art devices, with security, lighting, heating, and entertainment control top of the list.
Rhian Bartlett, Trading Director at Screwfix, said: “We talk to our customers regularly and it’s becoming clear that they are being asked to complete more and more smart home jobs. Smart Home Week reports that 24 percent of UK customers have already begun their Smart Home journey, by buying devices such as the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. As homeowners are becoming more tuned in to the benefits of monitoring their energy efficiency they’re adding on products which measure energy expenditure. These smart devices are being used to create a healthier home environment, and save bill-payers money in the process, so our customers need to be able to get their hands on the latest products.”
Heating and lighting control products such as Hive and Nest are in demand from people investing in home automation and demanding more from their voice controlled devices. The Philips Hue White Wireless Light Bulb Starter Kit (£59.99) is a simple smart light bulb that works with a range of devices. Up to 10 lights and lamps can be connected to be easily brightened or dimmed via smartphone or tablet.
Big name smart controllers, like the Nest Smart Thermostat and Hot Water Control (£209.99), remotely controls heating and hot water and is the ideal method of complying with energy related product legislation brought in from 6th April 2018, requiring all new boiler installations to have a timer and thermostat control. The Nest smart device is easily integrated into new boilers and “learns” from frequent use, programming itself accordingly.
The benefits of living in a Smart way provide significant opportunities for tradespeople to install connected systems. Rhian said: “It’s really important for customers to have a seamless smart home system which works without thinking about it. Our range of solutions can link in with all the other main appliances within a home, like a TV and sound system.”
Gadgets like the plug-in “TP-Link Powerline Starter Kit” (29.99), turns an existing wiring system into a high-speed network with no drilling or re-wiring required. Ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming and smart TVs, this device helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots so everywhere in the home is covered.
So, is home automation the way forward? In the long term, many more homes are going to be Smart but this could be a few years off. Rhian says “If we look at heating controls, many homeowners are opting to contract tradespeople to repair these with traditional parts, instead of replacing with smart choices when they break down. Awareness and understanding of the smart home is high, so whilst customers are spending time getting used to the current technology and how to integrate it into their daily lives, smart homes are already becoming mainstream.”
For more information about Smart Home products available from Screwfix, visit screwfix.co.uk or pick up the latest catalogue available in over 570 stores nationwide.
Note to editors
About Screwfix:
Screwfix is part of Kingfisher plc, the international home improvement company, with nearly 1,200 stores in 10 countries in Europe, Russia and Turkey. For further information go to www.kingfisher.com.
Screwfix is convenient, straightforward and affordably-priced, helping its trade customers get the job done quickly, affordably and right first time. Tradespeople can shop 31,000 products over the phone, online, via their mobile or in-person from their local store.
- From power tools and work wear to cables and pipe fittings, Screwfix offers over 11,000 products available to pick up from over 580 stores nationwide. Our full range of over 31,000 products can be ordered over the phone, online or from a local store, with orders taken up until 8pm (weekdays) for next day delivery to home or site.
- Screwfix.com attracts 5 million visits per week.
- The Screwfix Click & Collect service means customers can conveniently purchase supplies online or over the phone and then collect from the store in as little as one minute.
- Customers can call the UK-based Screwfix Contact Centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including bank holidays) on 03330 112 112.
- UK stores are open 7 days a week, from 7am – 8pm Weekdays, 7am – 6pm Saturdays and 9am – 4pm Sundays. Excludes selected stores. See www.screwfix.com/stores for details.
- London stores are open from 6am – 10pm on weekdays
- In 2016, Screwfix sales surpassed £1bn for the first time
- World leading customer satisfaction levels.
- Screwfix was awarded Retail Week’s Customer Experience Initiative in 2017.
- Screwfix was awarded 2nd place in Retail Week’s Best Employer Rankings in 2017.
- Screwfix was awarded South West Contact Centre Forum’s Large Contact Centre of the Year Award in 2017. Screwfix was awarded Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2017 and 2018.
- Screwfix was awarded Retail Week’s ‘Best Retailer over £250m’ and ‘Digital Pioneer’ awards in 2018
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