The year is 2023, and whether we like it or not, time and technology are moving on. The smart home is all about efficiency, and here at DID, we are fully aware of this and your need to keep things energy efficient throughout your space. That is why we have a large and diverse collection of smart home technology ready to be used immediately. Below, we are going to outline why you should consider ‘getting smart’ with your electrical choices and what the best smart gadgets for your home are. Be sure to pop into one of our stores Ireland-wide or shop online for the full selection.

Smart tech is rapidly becoming a mainstay in modern homes. Whether it is a single device or an entire network of devices, Irish consumers are quickly taking advantage of the convenience and security that comes with smart home technology. So it is only right that we highlight some of the key benefits of adopting a smart mindset immediately.

Benefit 1: Connectivity: The best thing about smart home technology is that… well… it is smart. Smart technology loves to be interactive and offer convenient connectivity. For example, if each room has smart LED bulbs, they can be controlled via an app on your phone, so you don't even need to leave your seat to switch a light on or off.

Similarly, this connectivity helps users to manage and monitor camera footage, heating, lighting, and music within their home.

Benefit 2: Customisation:Due to the fact that smart tech is so interconnected and available to edit via an app, you can always customise your preferences and settings to suit you and your home.

Benefit 3: Save Energy:We are in a cost-of-living crisis, and the prices of light, heating and electricity are higher than ever before. With smart technology, you can pre-program heat or light settings so that they are only on for a limited time. Not to mention that most of our smart bulbs use LED technology, which is energy saving. Smart outlets also have auto shut-off capabilities so that your electricals are never on for longer than they need to be. It might not seem like much at the time, but those small nuggets of savings can add up.

The Google Nest Audio is a smart speaker that uses Bluetooth technology to connect to devices such as smartphones and laptops. It features a built-in Google Assistant, allowing users to control smart home devices, play music, and access information through voice commands. You can even ask it to turn on lights, switch on your TV and any other compatible smart devices you have in your home. The speaker has a built-in microphone for voice commands and phone calls. Google Nest has privacy as a top priority. You can delete your history by saying  “OK Google, delete what I just said.”. You can also turn off the microphones. Simply slide the microphone switch on the device so that it shows orange. A smart speaker is a must-have for any smart home!

There is no better combination than smart technology and safety, which is why the NEST project 2 is such a good product to have. The smart alarm looks to monitor the levels of smoke and carbon monoxide in your home and even speaks to you if the levels are too high. You can always silence the alarm on your phone, but perhaps the best feature is the history feature which lets you track increases in possible carbon monoxide over the last 10-day period. This means that you can stay ahead of the curve and act if needed. Another feature that we love is the warning signal.

Say for example you burn some food by accident, as opposed to setting off the entire alarm, the NEST will set off a small warning signal without setting the entire alarm off. For €130, we think that is a small price to pay for your safety.

You might take one look at this kit and have no idea what it does. But the Nanoleaf series is one of the coolest smart appliances on the market. The goal of the Nanoleaf lighting system is to elevate smart lighting to a new level. The slimline design, ease of control, and connectivity allow for seamless use and with screen mirroring and music sync included, you can create an incredible ambience in any room.

The lights are easy to install, using only mounting tape with no drills required, and with 9 plates included in this package, you can create different light designs to suit your home. It is a modern, next-level product that you will have to see to believe. You can view the entire Nanoleaf collection here.

The Philips Hue lighting systems are the perfect way for any home to get smart in 2023. It is a great choice for anyone looking to add smart lighting to their home while being conscious of easy control and saving energy.

1. Remote control: You can control the bulb using a smartphone app or voice commands, allowing you to turn lights on and off, adjust brightness and colour temperature, and set schedules from anywhere.

2. Energy efficient: LED bulbs use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, helping you save money on your energy bill.

3. Long lifespan: LED bulbs have a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent bulbs, which means you won't have to replace them as often.

4. Compatible with smart home systems: The bulb is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant, allowing you to integrate it into your existing smart home setup.

5. Versatile: The GU10 base allows you to place this bulb in a variety of fixtures like track lighting, recessed lighting and other accent lighting fixtures.

6. Easy to install: The bulb is designed to fit into a standard GU10 light fixture, making it easy to install and replace existing bulbs.