Security and convenience are two major reasons the number of 'smart' New Zealand homes is expected to increase in the near future.
Recent research shows a majority of Kiwis are interested in creating smart homes – a house where control and automation of many of its functions like heating, lighting, ventilation, security and appliances can be done remotely often with a smartphone.
A 2016 University of Otago survey conducted by its Centre for Sustainability found 25 per cent "very" interested in having a smart home and another 35 per cent "somewhat" interested, even though just 12 per cent said they own smart appliances.
This compares to international research which shows 14.5 per cent of Australian households and nearly 25 per cent of US households are already set up with smart technology.
So what are the five main reasons for having a smart home?
Convenience: Imagine automating repetitive tasks like having your outside lights intuitively turn on at sunset or the garage door automatically open when driving up in the car.
Housework: Some devices are designed to take the drudgery out of housework. These include robot vacuum cleaners or smart fridges, which can place orders online for products like milk when it senses your supply is getting low.
Entertainment: Technology has developed connected speakers which when combined with artificial intelligence-based digital assistants can play music, offer news and sports scores - and find a good movie to watch - all by simple voice command.
Energy: Saving energy - and therefore money - is one of the biggest incentives for having a smart home. The use of intelligent heating and air conditioning systems contribute to more efficient and optimised use of energy.
Security: Having the ability to remotely check on your home through cameras or smart smoke alarms is useful, makes you feel safer and helps protect what is important to you. Some devices can, for example, can be connected so if a camera detects movement it can turn house lights on, creating the impression someone is home and scaring away would-be burglars.
The number of New Zealand households with smart devices is expected to increase over the next few years and with this in mind Meridian Energy has partnered with leading smart home company, California-based Nest Labs, to provide Kiwis with a range of innovative smart home products.
Meridian, which is New Zealand's largest generator of renewable energy, has launched an online shop where people can buy the Nest products including a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, an outdoor camera and two indoor cameras. It is also providing new customers who sign up to Meridian a free Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
Meridian's head of marketing, Melanie Lynn, says more than 90 per cent of its customers use smart meters and it was because of this the company felt the time was right to look at new ways to help them use technology to protect their homes and what is important to them.
"We want new technology such as electric transport and smart homes to be more accessible," she says. "We're on a mission to make it simple and easy for our customers to use technology to help protect themselves and the world around them."
New customers who sign up with Meridian between now and January 31 will receive a free Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm while existing Meridian customers will receive a 20 per cent discount when shopping at the online store (T&Cs apply).
For further information visit https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz