Smart home tech: what’s worth the investment?
From remote-controlled lights to AI-powered climate systems, smart home technology has gone from novelty to near necessity for many modern households. But with innovation moving at lightning speed, how do you know what’s worth the investment in 2025 - and what’s more likely to become this year’s forgotten gadget?
Here in South Australia, where energy efficiency, climate resilience and lifestyle convenience are all top-of-mind, the smart home landscape is shaping up with clear winners that balance function, security and long-term value.
Energy efficiency: solar and smart integration
With power bills on the rise and solar uptake strong across the state, integrating solar systems with smart energy management tools is one of the smartest moves homeowners can make.
Systems like SolarEdge, Tesla Powerwall or Fronius now connect with smart apps that let users track production, optimise battery usage and reduce draw from the power grid during peak times. Add a smart meter or home energy dashboard, and you’re not just saving energy - you’re actively managing it.
Home owners are spoilt for choice by the market which has clever systems with proven integration capacity and future compatibility with other smart home platforms, such as Google Home, Apple HomeKit or Amazon Alexa.
Climate control that thinks ahead
Air conditioning and heating represent some of the largest energy guzzlers in SA homes - especially in our extreme summers and cold winters. Investing in smart climate control systems, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s Wi-Fi Control, Daikin’s Airbase or Google Nest Thermostats, gives homeowners fine-tuned control over comfort and cost.
More advanced systems are now AI-enhanced, learning usage habits and adjusting automatically based on weather forecasts and room occupancy. For homes being built or renovated, ensuring ducted or split systems are smart-ready is a small extra cost that can make a big difference.
Security and surveillance for peace of mind
A growing number of home owners are investing in smart security, and with good reason. Systems that integrate doorbell cameras, motion sensors, intercoms and remote locking - like Arlo, Ring or Eufy - offer real-time monitoring from a smartphone anywhere in the world.
The investment is modest, and the reassurance is significant, especially in areas prone to opportunistic theft or for homeowners who travel frequently. For new builds or significant renovations, wired systems can be embedded for a cleaner look and stronger performance, while retrofit wireless options remain ideal for most existing homes.
Smart lighting and automation
Lighting might seem like the low-hanging fruit of smart tech - but it’s a category where real value can be found. Smart lighting systems such as Philips Hue or LIFX allow users to adjust brightness, colour and schedules with ease, improving ambience, security and energy savings.
South Australian homeowners are also embracing whole-of-home automation platforms like Clipsal Wiser, Control4 or Zimi - Australian-developed platforms offering scalable solutions suited to our market. When considering build designs or retrofits, the key is ensuring solid Wi-Fi coverage and planning ahead with suitable wiring and placement of hubs and switches.
Voice assistants: the brains of the operation
While a smart speaker won’t revolutionise your home on its own, integration is where the magic happens. Voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri act as central hubs, coordinating multiple devices into a seamless experience. The trick is ensuring interoperability: not all products work well together, and some ecosystems are more locked down than others.
What’s not worth it (yet)
It’s tempting to go all-in on the latest gadgets, but some emerging tech still has room to mature before it justifies the spend. Smart fridges, app-controlled microwaves and robot vacuum docks with arms and screens might look futuristic - but unless they solve a real need, they can quickly become expensive dust collectors.
It’s smarter to focus on technology that improves efficiency, comfort and safety - and that can evolve with firmware updates and future integrations.
More great tips and information at www.buildinginspectors.org.au
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