Smart home technology is nothing new, but it’s constantly changing and evolving. Just ask Ross Aviña, owner of PAVS Smart Home Tech, a Steamboat-based company since 1997. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to understand that technology evolves so fast, and though I don’t know what the future holds regarding the next wave of innovation, my job is to build a network that is “future-proofed” and can support what’s coming tomorrow.”
Smart home technology (or home automation) has been around a long time, but with internet connectivity and rapidly evolving wireless technology, almost any device in your home can be monitored and controlled through the use of an app. Current smart home applications include controlled lighting, digital doorbells and door locks, home security, home theater, and smart thermostats—but the possibilities are truly endless.
We caught up with Ross to learn more about what’s new, what’s trending, and how he’s in demand now that people are spending more time than ever at home.
What’s the most important aspect of smart home technology?
I focus a lot on network and foundation of network—what we call “the internet of things,” or IOT. The IOT must be built properly to be able to support and integrate a wide variety of devices that can be monitored from your iPhone. The goal with all smart home technology is to provide instant response and instant resolve, remotely. Whether you’re talking about water detection, motion alert, or unsafe temperatures, overall comfort and security comes from being able to manage whatever is going on in your home when you’re not there. With all this new technology, it’s important that you begin by creating network can support that can support these tools, one that is powerful enough for all your IOT devices.
Our ultimate goal is to create “one pane of glass”; one display that can be accessed on one app, providing 100 percent functionality, and the ability to monitor and control the state of your windows, music, temperature, lights, movement, sauna, washer/dryer, and more.
What are some of the biggest trends you’re seeing right now?
We’re installing a lot of discreet audio/visual type equipment, basically hiding things like speakers, TVs, and even wall switches and thermostats so that everything in a room looks and feels seamless. It’s a common trend in newer homes with modern architecture. There are no switches or control panels on the wall anymore; everything is controlled via one screen. Streaming TV is also a big trend right now; it enables you to watch TV through your existing providers from any device no matter where you are, whether it’s on an iPad at the airport or at home in your living room. You’re no longer paying for a single cable box’s location.
How do you hide a TV?
It can drop out of the ceiling in an enclosed automated mount, or it can be hidden in the mantel above a fireplace. It might look like a painting that can be rolled out to reveal a TV behind it. My hottest item right now is the Samsung Frame TV – the frame turns into a picture when the TV is turned off. It can be a photo from your cell phone or any picture you want. It’s really cool because it has a sensor, so when you’re in the room, it will display a picture. The frame makes it look like a matted photo or piece of art, so even a large TV still looks really nice.
What are some developments that are important for second homeowners?
Digital doorbells and door locks enable homeowners to self-police their property even if they’re not there. Cameras alert homeowners upon arrival that someone is at their door, and they’ll get alert for when that person leaves. It gives you a sense of security to know what transpires at your home, and to have the ability to respond if that activity wasn’t expected. That’s especially helpful for managing subcontractors remotely. It’s also important for safety reasons; say a door is left open and it’s cold outside. Once your house hits 50 degrees, you or your property management team can be alerted. That’s an example of the instant response/instant resolve aspect of home automation I was talking about earlier.
What are some of the products and services that are in high demand right now?
Access networks are really important right now. An access network is your digital foundation, and it’s essential to the way the home operates. At a time when people are working from home and kids are distance learning, it’s all about how effectively your wi-fi network is distributed around your house. We’re in a mountain area where we have limited bandwidth, so internet speed can be an issue. For example, if everyone in your house is on a Zoom meeting at the same time, with a higher-end access network, we can distribute that bandwidth more evenly and give everyone the proper download speed they need to function. It’s almost like making sure your plumbing is functioning properly and you have equal water pressure all over the house.
Now that we’re more confined, people are also investing in improving their functional living space, such as furnishing outdoor areas with a proper audio and lighting experience to make the outdoors feel as comfortable as the indoors. For example, hiding speakers and subwoofers within the landscaping–the equipment is imperceptible. You can turn on fire, lights, or music from your phone—all from the comfort of the hot tub. //ponderosaav.com
