Smart home systems: solutions that save time and money

Author: Bernhard Bircher-Suits, FundCom AG

According to a representative survey conducted by Homegate, the majority of the Swiss population are interested in smart home applications. It is therefore not surprising that properties in Switzerland are increasingly equipped with smart, networked and internet-enabled devices and systems. Evidence of this development can be seen in revenues in the smart home industry in the Swiss market, which have been growing for years. According to calculations by Statista Market Insights, in 2024 the industry is expected to turn over around CHF 1 billion for the first time. 

Reduce energy consumption and save money

Smart home appliances are designed to make living more comfortable, secure and energy-efficient. After initial programming, they perform routine tasks automatically and use artificial intelligence to work efficiently.

A major advantage of smart home technologies is their ability to reduce energy consumption. An increasing number of homeowners in Switzerland are using environmentally friendly heat pumps to generate heat in combination with a photovoltaic system for solar power.

With the help of energy management software, these devices can be connected to each other, allowing them to exchange data. This makes heating with solar energy not only more economical, but also more convenient. The networking of intelligent devices enables you to organise, control and monitor your own home in a new way.

Home security thanks to smart home systems

Smart home devices also offer advantages in the area of security: surveillance cameras such as Google Nest or solutions from Arlo detect strangers on your property within seconds using facial recognition software. When needed, such systems send you a real-time warning on your smartphone.

Sensors on doors and windows can tell you if they are closed at night. Special systems are also capable of detecting falls in elderly people and alerting relatives.

A wide array of devices are controlled via displays, voice commands, smartphone apps or internet browsers.

‘Island solutions’ are available for several hundred francs

A smart home no longer has to cost a fortune: every house or apartment can be made ‘smarter’ with smart devices for just a few hundred francs.

Andy Frieden is an electrician and managing director of SmartBrain AG in Wald (Canton of Zurich). He says: ‘In order to set up a smart home efficiently, a certain budget needs to be in place. We offer a system that works in combination with radio and bus technology and can also be used in rented apartments. For smaller budgets, however, there are also stand-alone solutions for lighting or heating.’

But with island solutions that cost just a few hundred francs, you don’t have a complete smart home yet.

Retrofitting a single-family home: costs starting from CHF 10,000

Anyone wanting to retrofit a single-family home comprehensively with smart home technology must expect costs of CHF 10,000 to CHF 30,000. A complete system includes motion detectors, heating ducts, switching ducts, blind ducts, switches and temperature sensors.

Retrofitting an apartment with a complete smart home system can cost between CHF 10,000 and CHF 20,000.

Cheaper devices with an integrated smart home system are available as an alternative. These include smart speakers such as Alexa from Amazon, or Google speakers with built-in Google Assistant.

A competitor system, Home Connect, is installed in household appliances from suppliers such as Bosch or Siemens and other manufacturers, and is compatible with a wide range of household appliances from different manufacturers.

Home Connect can control everything from the washing machine to the oven to the coffee machine via an app.

Open or closed smart home system – which to buy?

Generally, specialists distinguish between open and closed smart home systems. Open smart home systems are not tied to a specific manufacturer and offer the possibility of connecting and controlling devices from different brands. Experts count among these wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, WLAN and Zigbee as well as Z-Wave.

Closed smart home systems use manufacturer-specific technologies that are only compatible with products from the same manufacturer. Examples of such systems are Homematic IP or Eve Systems. The Apple HomeKit from Apple is another closed system, while Samsung’s closed platform is called Samsung SmartThings. Alexa is Amazon’s voice assistant, which is compatible with a variety of smart home devices, and Google Nest is Google’s smart home ecosystem.

Closed systems provide a standardised setup and familiar operation for users who already use products from the relevant manufacturer.

Risks: data protection and cyberattacks

One disadvantage of smart home technology in general concerns data protection: all networked devices collect a certain amount of data depending on the software. Being connected to the internet, sensitive data can become a target for cyberattacks. Last but not least, it’s important to learn about things like compatibility and technical aspects before making a purchase.

If you choose a smart home ecosystem, systems and devices from other providers can’t always be seamlessly combined with it. As a result, if you need another device, you can only buy products from the same manufacturer. Transforming your home into a smart home can be a challenging task.

Ten steps to turn your home into a smart home

Planning and objectives: Think about which aspects of your home you want to automate and what goals you want to achieve. Do you want to improve security, save energy, increase comfort or all of these?

Choice of technology platform: There are different technology platforms for smart homes such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, WLAN or Bluetooth. Choose a platform that fits your needs and budget.

Smart home hub: A smart home hub serves as a central control unit for your smart home. It connects and controls your smart devices. Popular options include closed systems such as Amazon Echo (with Alexa), Google Home (with Google Assistant) or Apple HomeKit.

Smart lighting: Replace your conventional light bulbs with smart LED lights that you can control from your smartphone or by voice command. These lights can also change colours and are dimmable.

Security cameras and alarm systems: Install security cameras and/or alarms connected to your smart home system. This allows you to monitor your home remotely and receive notifications when needed.

Smart thermostats: Invest in a smart thermostat that helps you save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature to suit you and your lifestyle.

Smart sockets and switches: Smart sockets and switches allow you to automate traditional devices in your home. You can turn these devices on and off and set schedules for their use.

Voice control: Integrate voice control into your smart home by selecting devices that are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.

Installation and configuration: Install the smart devices you have chosen according to the manufacturer’s instructions and configure them using your smart home hub.

Testing and fine-tuning: Test your smart home thoroughly to make sure everything works as expected. Fine-tuning may be required to adapt the settings and automation to your needs.