Smart homes remain popular even as electricity prices stabilize – consumers seek savings and convenience.
Press release, February 14, 2023
Smart home popularity soared last year as electricity prices rose. Verkkokauppa.com store data shows that stabilizing prices haven't slowed the trend: consumers remain keen on optimizing their homes with smart solutions.
Verkkokauppa.com surveyed experts across its store network about current interest in smart home solutions as energy prices stabilize. While the initial surge has cooled slightly since last autumn, interest remains high. Energy optimization and home security solutions, in particular, continue to drive demand.
“Various power meters, temperature sensors, and smart plugs continue to attract interest in our stores across Finland. Customers are also asking about smart locks and surveillance cameras. Smart technology has clearly come to our homes to stay,” says Teemu Puikkonen, Sales Director for Verkkokauppa.com storesTeemu Puikkonen.
Growing interest in energy efficiency was evident in Verkkokauppa.com’s autumn 2022 electronics sustainability survey*: over 80% of respondents considered the energy efficiency of their devices important. Store data indicates that consumers want to make their homes energy-efficient as easily as possible.
“Customers are looking for ready-made packages and want to centralize device control into a single app,” explains home automation expert Miikka Gröhn from the Raisio store.
A green light for the sauna, a pre-warmed car based on your alarm – the possibilities of home automation are nearly limitless
Following the energy crisis, home automation communities began sharing energy-saving tips more actively. According to Gröhn, the most important thing when considering smart home solutions is identifying which problems you want to solve with technology.
“Remote control adds convenience and flexibility, allowing you to adjust and monitor devices from your sofa. Fully automated solutions, on the other hand, mean that once programmed, you don't have to give them a second thought – the automation handles everything,” Gröhn says.
Gröhn has programmed his car's engine heater to start based on his alarm clock. This way, a pre-warmed car is ready first thing in the morning. His air source heat pump runs only during the cheapest night hours, and the living room blackout curtains lower automatically when the projector's amplifier is switched on.
“You could even have a green light turn on in the living room or a horn blast in the yard to signal the sauna is ready. In practice, the sky's the limit, and almost anything can be automated if you have the enthusiasm for a bit of coding and tinkering,” Gröhn laughs.
Smart home solutions can be easy and affordable – tips for beginners
Smart home solutions generally fall into two categories: remote-controlled and fully automated. For beginners, the easiest way to start building a smart home is with remote device control.
“You can get started by purchasing a smart plug controlled via a mobile app. Simply plug it into the wall and connect your devices through the app. A solution like this costs just a few dozen euros and allows you to remotely control everything from heat pumps to lighting and coffee makers,” Gröhn explains.
True home automation usually requires a separate hub or operating system – and a touch of coding skills.
“The desired device is connected to an operating system like Home Assistant, which I use myself. Home Assistant runs on a computer and allows you to create various automations. This way, functions from laundry to heat pumps can be fully automated to run at specific times, for example,” Gröhn illustrates.
* Over 18,000 people responded to Verkkokauppa.com’s customer survey on electronics and e-commerce sustainability. Participation was also possible via the company's website and LinkedIn. Data collection took place between August 17 and 24, 2022. Find the materials referenced in this release here (Ulkoinen palvelu) (Avautuu uuteen välilehteen).
Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)
Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
