If recent trends are any indication, health and wellness technology could be at the heart of the smart homes of tomorrow. This represents a big opportunity for ISP integrators and smart home specialists to deliver on rising consumer demand and expectations.

From new construction to retrofits, it’s time to consider how connected wellness technology can be integrated into the home.

For new construction, the rise in connected wellness technology is an opportunity for integrators to partner with builders and developers on wellness-designed homes. It’s a reminder of the value in robust structured wiring systems—building into homes the infrastructure such as media distribution panels needed to support a wide range of connected wellness devices later on.

For retrofits, integrators are in a position to present homeowners or property managers with advanced wellness solutions they might not realize are available. In a hyper competitive ISP market, positioning yourself as a leader in this space can be a key differentiator for your business.

Increased Focus on Personal Health and Wellness

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to all be more mindful of our health, attitudes towards personal health were shifting. From fitness trackers to Wi-Fi-connected weigh scales to Peloton exercise bikes, consumers have been spending more and more of their money on smart tech that supports healthier lifestyles.

These trends are only accelerating since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with McKinsey now estimating the global wellness industry to be worth more than $1.5 trillion with an annual growth rate of 5 to 10 %.

At the same time, social distancing and lockdowns have resulted in a renewed focus on the home for many. For instance, the wellness real estate market—homes designed to promote health and wellbeing—is expected to grow from $134 billion to $200 billion by 2022.

Residential Wellness Technology is on the Rise

The types of smart health and wellness tech that is being integrated into homes today ranges from simple (such as Wi-Fi-connected air purifiers) to more complex devices (such as Delos’ home wellness smart hub).

Air quality is a particularly popular area of focus at the moment, driven largely by increased awareness in airborne pathogens due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indoor air quality sensors, combined with smart purifiers and connected HVAC systems with adequate HEPA filtration, now give homeowners the ability to assess (and improve) the air quality in their homes in real time.

Smart lighting is another area of opportunity in the residential wellness technology space. While smart bulbs and lights are not new, they’re gradually shifting in focus from being something trendy or simply convenient, into tech that improves wellness by mimicking natural outdoor light. This helps keep our natural circadian rhythms in line, which helps improve sleep quality.

Other health and wellness technology that’s finding its way into smart homes include infrared sensors that check body temperatures, motion sensors that can detect when someone falls, and moisture sensors that warn you of contaminants.

What this Means for ISP Integrators and Smart Home Specialists

As a relatively new and emerging category, the full range of capabilities available to homeowners via smart home health and wellness technology is not widely understood. Integrators are in a unique position to educate and inform homeowners, home builders, and property managers of the possibilities available. For home builders in particular, part of this education needs to include the added market value integrated wellness technology brings to their projects.