Electrical Contracting News (ECN) October 2017 | Page 58

SPECIAL
FEATURE
HVAC
TAKE CONTROL
Mikael Eliaeson, product manager at Drayton, discusses the growing
market for smart heating systems, and how customers are driving demand
for enhanced systems that offer personalised room temperature control.
H
omeowners are
wising up to the
benefits that the
smart home can
offer, and controlling
different aspects
of the home via a
smartphone or tablet
is becoming more commonplace as mobile
technology becomes ingrained in our
everyday lives.
58 | October 2017
A recent study by the Office of National
Statistics found that 73% of adults
accessed the internet ‘on the go’ using a
mobile phone or smartphone in 2017, more
than double the 2011 rate of 36%.
We’ve seen the adoption of smart
technologies by all ages too – it’s not just
the millennials leading the way, but affluent
silver surfers who are fully embracing
the smart home revolution. With the wide
scope of smart home products available,
where does smart energy and heating fit
into this landscape?
Research has shown that smart
energy is the number one key driver for
the connected home, taking priority over
smart security, entertainment or smart
appliances like washing machines or
fridges – and smart heating controls are
leading the way.
For electrical engineers and
electricians, this offers a lucrative business