NICEIC ADVISES HOMEOWNERS SEEKING TO PERFECT HOMES POST-LOCKDOWN TO ‘STAY SMART’

With many homebound householders having acquired a newfound desire to invest in smart technology over the lockdown period, NICEIC has asserted the importance of ensuring that all such devices are installed correctly by a professional in order to unlock their true benefits.

As consumers across the country have adapted to life under lockdown, recent months have seen a huge surge in home improvement with as many as 85% of Brits using the extra time at home to give their homes some TLC.1

Interestingly, as part of this new-found passion for perfecting their properties, Britain’s homebound homeowners have also come to increasingly consider investing in new smart technology as a way to make their homes more comfortable and efficient. In fact, post-lockdown, research2 has found that 67% intend to invest in a smart thermostat, 62% in smart lighting and 51% in smart plugs 2, amongst other smart solutions.

However, NICEIC, the UK’s leading electrical certification body, is keen to remind homeowners of the importance of getting such smart solutions installed correctly by a professional – in order to ensure that are installed safety and to the exacting criteria.

Darren Staniforth, NICEIC’s Group Senior Technical Presenter, said: “It’s great to see that the lockdown has sparked a desire to invest in smart technology as a way for homeowners to improve their homes and generate significant energy-cost savings. As the UK continues to transition to a low carbon economy, the reality, after all, is that the future home is going to be increasingly sophisticated through the integration of more smart technology than ever before.

“As we manage this transition, however, there is still a job to do in ensuring consumers realise the huge difference between fitting a new energy efficient lightbulb and attempting to install a more sophisticated smart solution. Inherently, even it when it comes to HVAC controls or automated lighting, complex as they can be, there is a tendency for consumers to try to install it themselves – leading not just to safety implications but meaning the product, in not being fitted to the full specification, will fail to operate correctly and often leave them disappointed.”

In terms of best practice, upon appropriate withdrawal of current lockdown measures, NICEIC recommends that any homeowners seeking to invest in smart technology should first call on a registered electrician to conduct a ‘needs analysis.’ This is whereby the electrician will conduct a full examination of their individual requirements and current setup, and make informed recommendations on the most suitable systems on the market, plus carry out any other routine maintenance required to ensure a full working system.

Darren adds: “As we look to a low carbon future, it is incredibly important that we break this cycle of consumers attempting to ‘have a go’ at installing smart systems which, in fact, are subject to full competency – not just in terms of electrics, but the complex smart category itself.

“Rather, by choosing to have such a system installed by a professional installer, such as those listed with NICEIC, than can rest assured of receiving the best technical excellence in the fast-evolving field of smart technology. In this way, they can look to keep their homes safe and ensure their product really does do what it ‘says on the tin’, even exceeding expectations, while playing a role in ensuring a smooth transition towards a greener Britain.”