Home Security Systems and Home Assistants Are on the Rise
Plus, see what other home system updates homeowners made last year, from the 2019 U.S. Houzz & Home report
Technology in the home is on the rise in two specific ways: through smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and through the adoption of security systems, according to the U.S. 2019 Houzz & Home report.
The national study, fielded between Feb. 13 and April 16, 2019, collected responses from more than 142,000 registered U.S. Houzz users, including some 67,000 who renovated their primary homes in 2018. Here’s more from the report on what home systems people updated.
Home Security System Upgrades Are on the Rise
The share of renovating homeowners upgrading home security systems as part of their home renovations is quickly rising. Eighteen percent of renovating homeowners in 2018 upgraded security systems, compared with 15 percent in 2017 and 12 percent in 2016. Last year renovating homeowners spent a median of $500 — meaning that half of homeowners spent more and half spent less — on these security upgrades.
“The uptick of home security is likely driven by a number of factors,” says Nino Sitchinava, Houzz’s principal economist. “First, innovations in home security systems provide consumers access to DIY-friendly, wireless and modular options at affordable prices. Second, based on our research, we know that the rise of smart security technology expands consumer motivations for getting home security beyond just safety alone, to the ability to monitor the home and loved ones remotely.”
But despite the steady rise in popularity of home security systems, the most popular systems to upgrade as part of a home renovation in 2018 were plumbing and electrical systems, as the chart here shows. Meanwhile, the most expensive systems to upgrade as part of a home renovation last year were cooling systems, with a median spend amount of $4,000, and heating systems, with a median spend of $3,500.
How Technology Is Making Its Way Into the Kitchen
The share of renovating homeowners upgrading home security systems as part of their home renovations is quickly rising. Eighteen percent of renovating homeowners in 2018 upgraded security systems, compared with 15 percent in 2017 and 12 percent in 2016. Last year renovating homeowners spent a median of $500 — meaning that half of homeowners spent more and half spent less — on these security upgrades.
“The uptick of home security is likely driven by a number of factors,” says Nino Sitchinava, Houzz’s principal economist. “First, innovations in home security systems provide consumers access to DIY-friendly, wireless and modular options at affordable prices. Second, based on our research, we know that the rise of smart security technology expands consumer motivations for getting home security beyond just safety alone, to the ability to monitor the home and loved ones remotely.”
But despite the steady rise in popularity of home security systems, the most popular systems to upgrade as part of a home renovation in 2018 were plumbing and electrical systems, as the chart here shows. Meanwhile, the most expensive systems to upgrade as part of a home renovation last year were cooling systems, with a median spend amount of $4,000, and heating systems, with a median spend of $3,500.
How Technology Is Making Its Way Into the Kitchen
1 in 4 Homeowners Who Renovated in 2018 Bought a Home Assistant
Overall, smart home products such as wireless door locks still appeal to only a niche group of homeowners who are renovating. But home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home have much broader appeal. In fact, 25 percent of homeowners who renovated in 2018 purchased a home assistant as part of their renovations.
Overall, smart home products such as wireless door locks still appeal to only a niche group of homeowners who are renovating. But home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home have much broader appeal. In fact, 25 percent of homeowners who renovated in 2018 purchased a home assistant as part of their renovations.
Still, 1 in 7 homeowners who renovated in 2018 bought a smart home product that can be controlled and monitored from a mobile device or a computer, such as a smart light fixture, smart thermostat, smart alarm or smart detector.
Millennials are embracing security upgrades at a higher rate than baby boomers (24 percent versus 15 percent, respectively). They are also more likely to prioritize smart technology, such as smart thermostats.
See more from this study
Watch Houzz’s principal economist, Nino Sitchinava, discuss the 2019 U.S. Houzz & Home report:
More on Houzz
Here’s Why Kitchen and Bath Renovations Are Costing More
This Is How Much People Spent on Home Renovations in 2018
Millennials are embracing security upgrades at a higher rate than baby boomers (24 percent versus 15 percent, respectively). They are also more likely to prioritize smart technology, such as smart thermostats.
See more from this study
Watch Houzz’s principal economist, Nino Sitchinava, discuss the 2019 U.S. Houzz & Home report:
More on Houzz
Here’s Why Kitchen and Bath Renovations Are Costing More
This Is How Much People Spent on Home Renovations in 2018