Smart homes and friendly technology

The number of smart homes is growing day by day. In France, around 18% of households already had a voice assistant in 2023. This figure does not account for other connected devices thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT) that allow automation or remote control of household devices (lights, heating, surveillance, etc.). A Statista forecast even predicts that by 2028, nearly 15 million French people will live in smart homes.
 

What is Home Automation?

Home automation, or the set of technologies that allow the automation of a house's management, is becoming more common, and it is increasingly frequent to find new apartments and villas fully equipped. Perhaps it is a sign that the use of connected devices within the home is becoming standard practice.

Among the list of connected devices are those already well-established, such as televisions, thermostats, or sound systems. Everything has been designed to make life easier for residents. Air purifiers, smart locks, light bulbs, lighting systems, irrigation systems, surveillance... The home can now be controlled from a mobile phone.

Connected devices are everywhere. They allow you to track a pet and keep it company remotely. They also measure your sports performance (watches and bracelets), inform you about the contents of your fridge, and even monitor your health... Connectivity applies to everything.

Designers and engineers are doubling down on creativity to improve our daily lives. Some great inventions are even showcased every year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (CES).
 

What’s the Future for Smart Homes?

In 2024, the French home automation market reached 2.3 billion euros. Despite a slight decline compared to previous years, the expected annual growth for 2025 and 2026 is about 9%, with the goal of reaching 10 billion euros by 2030.

Over the past four years, the number of connected devices in French households has increased: by 4% for voice assistants and 5% for security cameras.

Energy management is one of the segments that interests the most French people, who are looking for solutions to lower their bills. Measures such as the obligation to equip homes with connected thermostats by 2027 are helping to push this segment to the top of the most requested equipment.

Although there are still a few die-hard French people worried about being spied on by their connected devices (24% of the French population), home automation has definitely entered our homes.
 

How Much Does It Cost to Equip a House with Home Automation?

The cost of equipping a home varies depending on the number of devices to be installed and the area to be covered.

The starting price for a central home automation box is about 150 €. You’ll need to budget between 20 and 100 € for each connected socket, 30 € for a connected light bulb, and around 200 € for a smart thermostat. With an affordable starting price, the technology aims to be accessible to a large number of people.

To fully equip a house of around 100 m², you’ll need to budget around 5,000 €. Your home will then be equipped with a central box, automation for shutters and lighting, a few connected sockets, a smart thermostat, and a simple alarm kit.