Top Home Tech Trends of 2022 Include Air Quality Systems, EV Charging Solutions
From electric vehicles to air quality to smart home technology, CES 2022 provided a glimpse of not only what the future will hold, but what’s transforming the marketplace today. Brandon Doyle with the Maple Grove-based Doyle Real Estate Team, attended CES earlier this month, bringing back insights of the top tech trends.
Evolving smart home technology
Smart home technology continues to evolve. Last year some of the highlights included smart lighting and televisions that looked more like art.
Doyle says smart technology isn’t as daunting as perhaps it once was.
“Companies are making it easier than ever,” said Doyle. “Most of the time if you order something on Amazon that’s smart home related, it will actually automatically connect to your network out of the box.”
He added, “Now we’re seeing companies branch and get into different categories, so they have ownership over the whole experience. That way you’re just using one app, very easy to set up.”
Preparing for wave of EV rollouts, charging solutions
At CES 2022, GM announced a rollout of new electric vehicles, including the Chevy Silverado EV and electric versions of the Equinox and Blazer. The automobile manufacturer says it’s committed to going all electric by 2035. That commitment, Doyle says, will impact your garage.
“We are recommending that any time someone builds a home that they put right away a 240-outlet in the garage so that the house is future proof,” said Doyle, who sells both new and existing homes.
A modern 240-volt outlet delivers more power than a traditional outlet and has four prongs.
“Any electric vehicle could charge from a standard outlet, however, the speeds are pretty slow-that’s considered Level 1 charging. For most people, they’re going to want Level 2 charging that uses 240 volt outlet similar to what your dryer or oven would run on.”
Doyle says your vehicle could one day help power essential items during a power outage.
“Wallbox did announce their multidirectional charger. So the concept there is that in the future your vehicle could act as a battery backup for your house,” said Doyle. “Currently there are not any vehicles that have this capability, but I imagine most will have that.”
EV charging solution/courtesy Wallbox
Air quality another big trend
Another top trend is the rise of air quality devices for your home. COVID and air pollution due to wildfires have had a role in that. Doyle says systems like Airthings Wave Plus now have a new display that includes radon, particulate matter and CO2 readings.
Air purifiers are also increasingly common with companies like Alen and Aura Air rolling out new options. Doyle says the cost of air quality products is coming down.
“You can get really good air purifier for about $600 that’s going to cover 800 square feet, which would be adequate for a main living area, whereas that device in the past would be a few thousand dollars,” he said.
Smart security popular too
More integrative smart security systems — from doors to door bells — are increasingly prevalent.
Schlage, for example, collaborated with Apple that allows users to allow their door with an Apple watch. Biometric technology that allows your fingerprint to unlock a door is becoming more common.
“We’re going to see more new smart locks this year, slimmer designs that are easier to connect,” said Doyle. “Fingerprint is becoming more mainstream.”
For more on CES 2022, click here.
Also See: Business Matters: The Growth of Smart Home Technology
