Smart Home Appliances

You can read about my research on smart appliances and also on how to make dumb appliances smart. These are my plans in our new build:

Coffee Machine

In our current home I have a smart home connected filter coffee machine. This isn't automated. My contextual smart home just tracks it's usage and I'm fine with this level of smart home connection. Making coffee is an experience to be savoured and is not something I want to automate.

In our next home, I plan to upgrade to a larger 'bean to cup' coffee machine. I will use the same usage tracking technology.

Fridge

I plan to have a full height fridge in the kitchen. Whilst I will run Ethernet cable to appliances like the fridge, I have no immediate plans to buy a 'smart fridge'. They just don't do anything for me and the additional functionality usually compromises the fridge functionality.

Drinks Fridge

I plan to have a separate drinks/beer fridge in the utility room.

Dishwasher

I plan to have a dishwasher in both the kitchen and the utility room, to handle situations where we have lots of guests.

Freezer

I plan to have a full height fridge in the utility room.

Ice Maker

I'm not a fan of fridges with built-in ice makers, as it makes them less efficient and takes up fridge space. I also don't want an ice maker on all time or on over winter. It does make sense to have a countertop ice maker that can sit in the utility room or be put in the kitchen for parties and barbecues. Ice made can also be stored in the freezer. This one is available on Amazon

Note that you can't control this with a smart plug as it needs a button pressed on the appliance. I can track it's usage though.

Washing Machine

Our washing machine will be plumbed in to use harvested rainwater.