Craig DiLouie recently had the opportunity to interview Jim, O’Brien, Electrician and Leviton Contractor Marketing Manager about what’s new in home automation for an upcoming article in Electrical Contractor Magazine. Transcript follows.
DiLouie: What are the benefits of home automation, and what role does lighting play in it?
O’Brien: Home automation allows homeowners to control various systems—lighting, HVAC, security and entertainment—through a centralized platform, reducing complexity while increasing comfort and personalization. According to the Department of Energy, lighting accounts for around 15% of an average home’s electricity use. For homeowners, smart lighting systems provide scheduling, dimming and scene-setting capabilities that align with their lifestyle while maximizing energy savings, increasing security and peace of mind and adding overall convenience. With smart lighting systems, homeowners can reduce their energy consumption by automatically adjusting brightness based on ambient light levels or occupancy or add another layer of security by scheduling lights to adjust automatically while they are traveling or arriving home late at night. all which can be controlled remotely from a smartphone. Establishing an “All Off” or “All On” settings can be easily coordinated by electrical contractors and gives immense convenience to the end customer. As more people embrace electrification and advanced technology, home automation solutions—such as smart lighting controls and energy management tools—are becoming highly desirable to tech-savvy buyers, boosting the appeal and value of a property. While other smart devices can be fun and effective, smart lighting’s immediacy makes it a critical component.
DiLouie: How does one select the right home automation system?
O’Brien: Electrical contractors should work with homeowners to determine the devices that make the most sense for their lifestyle and needs. Upgrading frequently used devices can simplify everyday tasks and routines. Some homeowners may want to start small with having the ability to manage a few lights and devices from their smartphone, while others may be interested in a system or group of interconnected devices that can light, power and monitor their whole home. No matter the scale of your home automation system, right solution depends on three critical factors: scalability, compatibility, and ease of use. Homeowners look for systems that are compatible with existing devices (e.g., smart thermostats, voice assistants) and can grow with their future needs. A system should support interoperability across multiple platforms, ensuring a seamless experience without locking the homeowner into one ecosystem. Choosing reliable brands that can provide solutions to update one light switch or an entire home is the best option to ensure all your devices will work together and be set up and controlled within the same app, like Leviton’s Decora Smart products and the My Leviton app. Many homeowners want to tie-in multiple devices, and there are plenty of compatible options to consolidate manufacturers within Amazon Alexa, Google, Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home, and more. Customers want flexibility, and brands like Leviton that have further adopted the cutting-edge Matter technology can provide that in spades.
DiLouie: What are the top 3-5 technology and homeowner trends currently influencing the home automation market?
O’Brien: The home automation market is heavily influenced by evolving homeowner preferences and advancements in technology. There are three core desires that cause homeowners to shift gears and turn toward the home automation market – convenience, control and savings. However, energy efficiency and sustainability have also become motivation, as more homeowners prioritize reducing their energy costs and environmental impact.
While home automation provides what can feel like endless solutions, many people are interested in the benefit of adding more convenience and control to everyday tasks and routines with one click on their phone. For instance, homeowners can use smart products, like Leviton’s Decora Smart switches and dimmers, to program Night Settings, ensuring soft lighting at night for a bathroom trip or midnight snack, rather than automatically illuminating to 100%. With smart home devices, homeowners can create a variety of settings for lights to turn on and off at certain times, whether based on routine or energy efficiency. The home automation market has also grown to include devices like smart EV charging stations, which allow homeowners to start a charge on your electric vehicle before they need to the leave the house. All of these benefits ultimately contribute to savings and more efficient energy output. Home automation can help homeowners be in control of their electrical use and therefore bring down utility expenses while reducing their carbon footprint. On a larger scale, major savings can come from smart load centers that allow homeowners to pick the circuits they want to automate and monitor their household energy use. Contractors can advise homeowners on all of the great benefits like scheduled breakers, safety notifications, and energy awareness/management. Ultimately, it’s about giving the homeowner a solution that simply works to save them money, put their mind at ease, and reduce the daily burdens.
DiLouie: What role does the electrical contractor play in the home automation market, and what value does it offer?
O’Brien: Electrical contractors are essential to the successful implementation of home automation. They bridge the gap between technology and functionality by ensuring systems are installed correctly, safely, and efficiently. Contractors can offer invaluable guidance on product selection, wiring requirements and compatibility, helping homeowners avoid costly mistakes. Electrical contractors’ technical expertise allows them to integrate complex systems like lighting control, energy management, and security seamlessly. A trusted contractor not only installs the system but also serves as an advisor, ensuring the homeowner understands how to use new products and solutions effectively.
DiLouie: What can electrical contractors do to be more successful in this category and add value?
O’Brien: Electrical contractors can excel in the home automation market by focusing on both expertise and relationship building. Training and certification are crucial to staying up to date with new technologies and for positioning themselves as trusted authorities in the field. Partnering with manufacturers and integrators further enhances their ability to deliver tailored, state-of-the-art solutions while ensuring technical support and resources. Contractors can add value by acting as educators for homeowners, guiding them through the automation process and helping them choose the best systems for their needs. Offering comprehensive, turnkey solutions—including installation, maintenance and system upgrades—can create lasting relationships and recurring business opportunities. By blending technical skill with a consultative, customer-focused approach, contractors can distinguish themselves in the market and unlock significant growth potential.
DiLouie: If you could tell the entire electrical industry just one thing about opportunities in home automation, what would it be?
O’Brien: If you’re not dabbling in this world, you’re missing out. It’s not scary, expensive, or complicated anymore. Smart, automated products are often just as easy to install as traditional devices, while offering you more margin. If you’re an electrical contractor installing a dimmer and you see an Alexa on their counter – ask if they’d like to consider a smart dimmer. If a customer is building new houses, ask if they’ve considered making the property EV-ready with a proper outlet and charging stations. It’s the little things that can go a long way.
Home automation isn’t just the future—it’s now. As technology becomes more accessible and consumer demand skyrockets, contractors who embrace automation as part of their service offering will position themselves as leaders in a growing market. The opportunity lies not just in installation but in becoming a trusted consultant, helping homeowners navigate an overwhelming number of options to create smart, efficient and personalized spaces.
DiLouie: Is there anything else you’d like to add about this topic, Jim?
O’Brien: The home automation market is a tremendous opportunity for contractors to expand their businesses while delivering real value to clients. However, success requires a proactive approach: staying informed about emerging trends, investing in continuing education, and building relationships with industry partners. Electrical contractors are uniquely positioned to lead in this space because of their expertise in wiring, safety and system integration. The key is to communicate this value effectively to homeowners, turning curiosity into action and projects into lasting client relationships. Lastly, while there are a lot of options out there, choose brands that have your back in the field and keep you moving quickly to the next job.
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