More people are looking at ways they can reduce energy consumption and live more sustainably as well as securely.

While switching to sustainable heating sources such as air source heat pumps and solar panels provide long-term green and clean energy, the move to invest in smart properties shows no signs of abating. If anything, as 2025 arrives, wanting smarter and safer buildings seems to be the most popular combo.

Automating a building with smart technology can provide lots of energy-saving advantages, but underlying doubts may remain about the stability and reliability of the systems that support a smart home. This article explains how smart home technology can be green and secure to avoid any doubts you may have about making such an investment.

What is a smart home?

A smart home is a property that’s fitted with connected devices that can be controlled remotely via a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. The smart devices in a building can range from lighting and heating controls to security cameras, locks, multimedia systems, windows, doors and even home appliances.

Recent studies in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch found that there is a growing demand to use technology to boost smart security options, with internet-connected security solutions gaining popularity with owners, property managers, and agencies. Indeed, the benefits of implementing technology and partnering with the right contractors has become regarded as an effective and successful way to make technical upgrades to properties especially in today's competitive property market, and following significant legislative changes.

The aim of smart homes is to use automation technology to improve the way we live and increase the amount of energy we save. But how exactly does home automation reduce the amount of energy we use? Can they truly be considered energy-efficient solutions?

Are smart homes energy-efficient?

Using a device allows property managers and/or occupants to regulate the temperature in any type of property, avoiding wasting energy by heating it while you’re not there. You can utilise your heating controls more effectively, which is helpful for many homeowners navigating the rising costs of energy and living.

Most smart home devices are not inherently energy-efficient but the technology gives managers more control over energy usage and consumption habits. AI-powered software can also help to detect defects and issues in buildings, based on insights and data, and therefore automate time-consuming parts of maintenance with digital tools on hand to streamline and schedule inspections.

The important thing to remember is that smart thermostats can be customised to suit your preferences. When settings are activated via your chosen device, an energy-efficient property can be warmer when you need it to be, and colder when you don’t. The same can be applied to lighting, with smart lights automatically switching on and off at certain times of the day. It’s also a good idea to switch from standard light bulbs to LED lights.

You can also get alerts notifying you if someone has accidentally left a light or the central heating on, and then turn them off via your device. These aren’t the only energy-saving measures you can take with a smart home setup. You can link various IoT (internet of things) devices together to improve automation, such as remotely closing electric windows, doors or blinds when the day is at its warmest to conserve heat.

Are smart homes secure?

It’s clear to see that smart homes can improve the energy efficiency of many types of properties. With a reliance on technology to synchronise together seamlessly, it is important to consider how secure this makes a building. Physical security is important and can be strengthened with robust entry systems, security fences, and strong locks on windows and doors. Managers, landlords, and agents can also be notified of safety or security issues, such as leaks, open doors, smoke detection, or something that hasn’t been turned off.

However, while it’s easy to say that a comprehensive approach will help to bolster the security of a smart home, the reality is that cybercrime can still manifest in all sorts of ways. Safeguarding data in apps or integrated systems operated from a phone or digital devices is essential. Consumer advocacy group Which? conducted an experiment to assess how vulnerable smart homes might be to hackers and in just a week, the group recorded over 12,000 hacking attempts.

Televisions, washing machines, cookers, garage doors, door locks, stereo systems and many other home essentials are all considered ‘smart devices’. These can all invariably connect to a WiFi network, integrate with a smart home system, and interact with other devices, becoming proverbial puzzle pieces to a smart home. Therefore, being able to proactively act while off-site can provide peace of mind that everything is manageable and in safe hands. Strategising ways in which you can ideally prevent security incidents is crucial, but, should your technology be compromised, proactive response is equally important.

How to boost security and sustainability

It’s important to note that IoT devices aren’t explicitly designed to prioritise security, but rather, user-friendliness. The good news is that most manufacturers are recognising the cyber risks of smart homes and proactively taking steps to enhance security. Yet, property owners and managers need to take responsibility for improving the stability and security of their properties.

These simple steps can make a huge difference in keeping your smart property as secure as possible:

• Change default passwords into ones that are more secure.
• Stay vigilant to phishing emails or texts as these can result in your devices or systems being exploited remotely and compromised.
• Enable additional security options and two- or multi-factor authentication to devices if possible.
• Install security patches and updates when prompted as this will usually involve the software improving its level of security protection.

Smart home technology is still very much in its infancy and is experiencing rapid progression and development as each year passes. The technology that powers them is also being treated with intuitive new processes. However, if devices still continue to be hacked and compromised, properties require vigilant security with ongoing management advice and support. More needs to be done to help managers, occupants, and landlords achieve the green benefits that the property sector collectively warrants in 2025 and beyond.