I’ve been bullish on smart home technology for more than a decade, though I confess I sometimes find it frustrating. For example, I recently purchased a smart thermostat, and it does not respond as well as I’d expected or hoped. I don’t rush to buy every new gadget, knowing that there will be both a learning curve for most and potential disappointment as reality fails to meet hype. On the other hand, as technology does improve every year, I remain optimistic. So do many of my sources. This third in a series looks at smart home technology trends for 2025.
I reached out by email to leaders in the home design and technology worlds for their insights on what they see coming our way this year. This is the third of a four-part series covering predictions. The first installment looked at upcoming AI-powered trends on Christmas Eve. The second one, published New Year’s Eve, looked at AI-powered innovations. This third article in the series looks at smart home technology trends likely to show up in 2025 that are not primarily driven by artificial intelligence. Here’s what these pros had to say.
Energy Management
This was the feature mentioned most by these pros. Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media, publisher of Green Builder Magazine and owner of Cognition Smart Data, sees making homes more efficient as a top smart home trend for the new year. “Demand-side energy management, which requires intelligence (although not necessarily AI), enables the systems within a home to learn the occupants’ behavior and interact with the grid to activate peak load shifting and shedding in order to save homeowners money and reduce grid stress. These intelligent systems can do things like pre- heat or cool spaces when energy is least expensive and in low demand.” These systems work best when combined with solar panels and energy storage, she adds.
Josh Christian, CEO of the Home Technology Association, agrees: “A big trend right now is whole home back-up batteries,” the energy storage Gutterman cites. “An intelligent power system empowers homeowners with intelligent energy management solutions, offering greater control and efficiency for their homes. By integrating with smart home systems, it enables real-time monitoring of energy usage, solar power optimization, and backup battery management. Homeowners can prioritize critical devices during outages, reduce energy costs, and make sustainable choices with ease. Designed for convenience and resilience, a power management system delivers innovative tools to help homeowners live smarter and more sustainably.” He mentions Savant Power as a leader in this category, though Tesla may be the best known, and other brands are competing fiercely too.
Mark Bryan, senior foresight manager with Future Today Institute, a corporate advisory firm, is another voice for this trend. “The rising costs of living and a growing focus on sustainability mean homeowners are looking for smarter ways to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Smart home ecosystems in 2025 will do that, leveraging interconnected devices to maximize efficiency.”
Kitchens and bathrooms are huge consumers of electricity – and play a starring role in California’s 2022 CalGreen’s massive environmental codes and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act – so it’s not surprising that Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, sees this category as a strong trend for the new year. ”The push for smarter energy use will grow stronger in 2025,” he predicts, adding, “Homeowners want solutions that don’t just connect their devices, but actively reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing convenience or affordability.”
That can include smart circadian lighting that also mirrors the sun’s path for healthier living, and heat pump replacements for HVAC and water heating systems. (It has yet to be determined how many IRA-funded sustainability incentives will continue under the new administration and Congress.)
Water Enhancements
Amanda Pendleton, real estate platform Zillow’s home trends expert, sees two water-related trends as emerging in the new year. The first is smart toilets, she says. “The share of for-sale home listings on Zillow mentioning smart toilets is up 23% this year, compared to the same time period last year. We see this as a pandemic-led trend that brought a greater awareness and demand for home features that promote health and wellness.” Another water-related smart home trend she notes is smart sprinklers. These are up 8% on Zillow, she shares.
Security
Savour Partnership’s principal, Leslie Carothers, is a digital marketing consultant who frequently speaks at industry conferences on smart home and artificial intelligence trends. Her top smart home trend for the new year builds security. “Smart locks!” she declares. “Our phones will be able to use facial recognition technology to unlock our front doors, eliminating the need for fumbling for our keys at the front door.” Carothers sees this as adding an element of safety. “We will be more able to pay attention to our surroundings if we’re standing at our front door.” This is especially advantageous to women whose deep purses can often delay entry by making keys harder to reach, and to older adults who may have vision or grip issues finding and grabbing keys.
Khoi Vo, CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers, also sees a security trend in the smart home space. He cites doorbell cameras as a trend. “Ring was the first to be able to go to market and scale their products, which are now widely used.”
Wellness Enhancements
Vo also zooms out for a broader view, embracing wellness overall as a trend. “Smart technologies are becoming more affordable and accessible, driving adoption across a wider range of homes. For example, we predict we will see increased integration of smart mirrors in homes that will detect if you are sick,” he says. “From circadian lighting to advanced air purification, these holistic innovations emphasize healthier, more sustainable living environments that align with global wellness goals.”
Rachel Hodgdon, president and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute also sees wellness enhancements trending in smart homes. “Indoor air quality sensors are becoming more affordable, easier to set up and more accurate by the day, and the data they deliver makes the invisible visible… and actionable.”
There has been ample research published in the last few years – including here on Forbes.com – about the negative health effects of poor air quality. These have included dementia and respiratory issues, among general health concerns. “Every homeowner should know when their indoor air quality is compromised, whether it’s from the construction next door (PM2.5); too many people crowded in a room (CO2); or your friend secretly vaping while you aren’t looking (VOCs). And all these examples are from my own personal experience and that friend knows who he is!” Hodgdon comments.
In my home, I run my air purifier when I cook on my gas cooktop or have visitors. I also open the kitchen window when cooking. I’m looking forward to getting an induction model this year. I’m also planning on replacing my gas fireplace insert with an electric model.
Conclusions
I’m a bit squeamish about smart home technology trends from a privacy perspective, and I think everyone else should be too. That being said, there are settings you can choose that limit data sharing and brands you can select that don’t earn their profits by marketing your personal habits and preferences. That may mean a bit more homework in searching for your providers, and it may mean a little extra time with instruction manuals during your setup. They’re probably worth it for your overall wellbeing.
