Smart tech a low priority for homeowners

Smart enabled technology has become increasingly prevalent in homes around the UK, with people incorporating devices that control everything from music and entertainment, to heating and lights – even fridges and dishwashers – into their everyday routines.

And as everyone reading this will undoubtedly know, smart technology also extends to home security, with a raft of industry brands now offering high tech solutions that include door and window sensors and door locks.

The level of R&D that has gone into these systems, and the commitment from manufactures to demonstrate how robust they are against potential intruders – including those capable of using more sophisticated electronic methods of attack – highlight just how much investment has been placed in the smart security sector.

But are homeowners really that interested? A recent survey from Keystone Market Research reveals that smart home technology for windows and doors is actually ranked as a low priority for consumers.

According to the report, this is mainly due to the cost of installation, but also because of concerns about what happens when it goes wrong and cybersecurity risks. The bottom line – they’re not convinced it’s worth the cost or hassle.

This attitude – perhaps not unsurprisingly – is more prevalent in older and rural households, with younger, urban people more likely to embrace the new technology.

However, despite a number of challenges highlighted in Keystone’s report, the findings do also indicate potential for growth, with 59% of homeowners open to considering smart home tech in the future. It also reveals which smart home features they find most appealing and their preferred installation methods.

All of which highlights the importance of good market research. The success of the smart security market rests largely on the willingness and ability of installers to sell the benefits to the end user.

It helps if they are incentivised to do so, but knowing in advance which households are going to be more willing to sign on the dotted line for – let’s say – an optional smart door lock, could provide a big boost to the broader adoption of smart home security tech.

You can read a more detailed article on Keystone’s findings into smart security in the September issue of Glass Times magazine but for the full research, visit www.keystonemr.co.uk