High-Tech, Small Living

from Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe 2021

CATT Annual Awards

With many companies from the techheavy cities accepting remote work, Tahoe has become a refuge for San Francisco, and Silicon Valley’s elite.

In a blink, the sudden migration of these people is transforming the TahoeTruckee region. Due to this change in our area, we have seen an emergence in smaller living with higher end smart home automation installs. At the end of this year alone, it is estimated that nearly half of homeowners will have (or invest in) smart home technology.

Small Living Spaces Need Smarts

Too—There are many ways a smart home can assist with the minimalism of smaller high-end living. Homeowners are turning their small environments into sanctuaries for their family. We are finding it’s more im ortant than e er to provide custom-tailored automation and security with high-end audio video systems that do not interfere with the interior design and vision. Here are just a few examples: Entertainment—Instead of four remotes that clutter up your limited living space, replace them all with one remote that not only manages the TV and music, but can also control the whole house systems like shades and lights. All your equipment can be out of sight in a discreet area that turns into an incredible entertainment area at the touch of a button.

Climate Control— ore confined s aces can get cold and hot quickly. Thermostats can work in unison with motorized shades and overhead fans to keep your comfort in check. Lighting—Because of the close living quarters, using lighting to highlight certain areas helps to make the house appear larger, separates the space and offers less disru tion. our smart home can be programmed to set lighting levels at 80% max to use less energy and save some money.

Keypads—Lighting keypads can be more than just for lights, they can set scenes that include lights, audio video, shades, heat, and security. One press of a button on a keypad can activate “Cooking” mode, can ramp lighting up from the normal 80% to 100% and turn down your heat. Another press can queue the music and dim the lights when time for dinner. Security and Remote Access—Today there are multitudes of solutions to choose from to monitor your home from afar. Most video cameras on the market will not work if the internet is down and every thief out there knows it too. They know to cut the internet and they are invisible. Our savvier market demands privacy, that requires a custom install brand that does not collect information on them and will not be easily disconnected. Aesthetics—Whether your home is built and designed with a contemporary look or with mountain charm, many companies offer inter aces to com lement that vision. Design options can include the TV becoming an art frame, touchscreens that blend to your décor, and “theater quality” sound from invisible speakers. This just scratches the surface of smart living in a small home. The options to mesh tiny and tech are endless.

Thanks to Jeremy Brown at Nexus Electric and Smart Home for writing this article. You can contact Jeremy at 800.618.0874, info@ nexushome.com or www.nexushome.com.