Sophisticated smart appliances that are environmentally friendly are sought out by purpose-driven consumers who want technology that reduces energy consumption and waste.
Whether it's a smart kitchen or a solar-powered home, the typical client who wants a custom house is paying more and more attention to the integration of technology and convenience.
This has led to brands manufacturing smart appliances for homes that not only offer a pleasurable user experience, but are also better for the environment, and still look good.
Below are some stand-out home appliance trends of 2022 to inspire your home upgrade or custom-build house.
Smart Laundry Machines
Smart laundry machines consist of a smart washer and dryer that connects to the network through Wi-Fi. You can control a smart washing machine using mobile phone apps, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
In the US, over 35% of customers have spent more than $700 on smart laundry machines, which is expected to increase by 55% in the next five years. These smart appliances reduce electricity and water consumption, as well as detergent use.
Global smart washing machine key players include LG, Whirlpool, Samsung, and Hitachi, among others. Some brands can even integrate with existing smart home systems to monitor local energy use and run during off-peak hours for additional utility bill savings.
Powerful Induction Ranges
While induction cooktops were first introduced in 1933, it’s only recently, largely due to environmental concerns, that they have grown popular. Traditionally, they’re more expensive than their electric and gas counterparts; however, they use up to 10% less energy.
These cooktops achieve a wide range of temperatures and take less time to boil. They are also more environmentally friendly than gas stoves, which are a significant source of air pollution and can produce adverse health effects.
Induction ovens and cooktops only work with cookware made of ferromagnetic material, specifically stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel. So, if you do opt for this environmentally friendly option, you may need to budget for new pots and pans.
Smart Window Blinds
While not technically smart kitchen tech because they can be used anywhere in the house, smart window blinds can increase your home’s efficiency due to their ability to control the amount of sunlight allowed in.
They’re usually controlled via an app for added convenience. Smart blinds are available in various styles such as slat, honeycomb, roller, and light filtering. Most require a hub or bridge that integrates the blinds into a smart home system.
Depending on the type you choose, smart window blinds may offer options to program preferences, response to collected data like temperature, and the ability to move window shades individually and as a group
Compact Dishwasher Drawers
Also called space saver dishwashers, these slimline appliances offer maximum flexibility when it comes to placement. At 18 inches, they are smaller than traditional 24-inch dishwashers but still offer the same power and efficiency.
Compact dishwashers are suited to a worktop-level niche or cutout and can be integrated into any cabinet. Most hold up to six place settings of dishes and glassware and, like their full-size counterparts, offer multiple cleaning cycles and heating elements.
Compact size models also use less water and detergent than their full-sized rivals and have significantly shorter cycle times. These dishwashers are perfect for smart kitchens with limited space.
Solar-Powered Entertainment Tech
Solar-powered speakers, lights, home cinemas, and entertainment systems make households more sustainable. From outdoor living and security cameras to computer keyboards and flashlights, there are loads of amazing solar-powered gadgets that save money and promote a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Take, for instance, the Guiltless Green Home Theater, which offers up to 19 hours of video and audio playback even on cloudy days, or solar patio umbrellas that provide light once the sun sets, as well as solar-powered speakers.
Homes with higher solar adoption save up to $1075 in electric bills per year. They also decrease CO2 emissions in the surrounding environment. Even if you don’t convert to solar-powered energy all at once, having solar-powered smart appliances for the home can still cut down on utility bills.
Seamless Drawer Fridges
New high-end kitchen appliance trends are all about customization and innovative solutions that make using a kitchen easy. In that vein, seamless refrigerator drawers provide additional convenience where freestanding units can’t.
A refrigerator door lets users keep fresh ingredients on hand and ready to use. They’re especially useful for kitchen islands where food preparation may take place or part of cabinet-lined walls where they might function as additional beverage storage units.
The recent fervor to conceal large appliances has resulted in kitchens increasingly being used as rooms for a casual congregation, rather than areas exclusively dedicated to food preparation. Additionally, smart kitchen devices like concealed standing fridges and drawer fridges also enhance aesthetic appeal because their stainless-steel or plastic surfaces are hidden from view.
Smart Doors and Locks
Smart locks grant or deny access remotely via a mobile app. Some even include a built-in Wi-Fi connection that allows for monitoring features such as access notifications or cameras to show a person is requesting access. They may also work with a smart doorbell to allow the user to see who and when someone is at the door.
Keyless entry ensures no one can access the deadbolt, and the lock cannot be tampered with. Doors equipped with this locking system are not subject to mechanical forces through the keyhole because of its replacement by a biometric reader or smartphone detection unit.
Hi-Tech Bath
Bathrooms are becoming increasingly hi-tech, and tubs are no different. From energy-balanced cocoons to saunas and temperature-controlled faucets, hi-tech tubs offer the utmost luxury. Recently, there’s been a shift towards user-friendly technology and advanced but simple-to-use functions.
Relaxation and wellness trends have continued to dominate, calling for harmonious forms and colors, where technology’s physical presence is almost eliminated, freeing bathroom spaces from intimidating operating panels on old-school bathtubs.
Today’s hi-tech bathtubs have many health benefits, including improved circulation, muscle pain relief, as well as stress and anxiety reduction. The most sophisticated ones even come with essential oil diffusers.
Fridge & Freezer Columns
Column refrigerators, freezers, and wine preservation towers are popular choices that can be built into a wall or pre-existing cabinetry. These smart kitchen appliances do not need to be installed side by side and can be separated by a tabletop or bar pantry, for example.
New technology in kitchen appliances like soft-close doors, gliding crispers, and sturdy bins have added functionality. Certain manufacturers offer LED lightning, multiple temperature zones, and smartphone connection.
The benefits of these smart home kitchen appliances may include monitoring and adjusting temperatures, tracking water filter levels, and receiving alerts if something goes wrong. Column units also come in a variety of widths, providing flexibility to choose the capacity that best suits your needs.
Conclusion
Smart appliances allow homeowners to invest in workhorses that offer increased convenience and functionality. Professional and commercial-grade appliance options are widely available from top brands that offer style and reliability. Thanks to new developments in engineering and technology, smart appliances for homes make our lifestyles easier and more eco-friendly.
As award-winning custom home builders and remodelers, Zenith Design + Build is constantly helping clients incorporate smart appliances in their new homes. If you need a custom home builder or remodeler, then why not contact us to discuss what you want to see in your future home?
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