Ready to make your home smarter, greener, and future‑proof? Explore ten high‑impact smart‑home upgrades and discover how Orbas‑vetted professionals can help you install each one quickly, safely, and affordably.
Sky‑high energy prices, tighter EPC regulations, and an upcoming ban on new gas boilers by 2035 are accelerating Britain’s shift toward connected living. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average UK household could save £450–£550 a year by integrating modern smart‑home controls. Beyond savings, a recent Rightmove report notes that homes with upgraded tech command up to 5 % higher resale values.
Yet many owners hesitate, worried about compatibility, security, or hidden costs. That’s where Orbas comes in. Our marketplace matches you with vetted specialists—electricians, HVAC engineers, and home‑automation pros—transparent pricing, milestone payments, and real reviews included. Think of Orbas as your on‑demand project manager for everything smart‑home.
The newest generation of learning thermostats does more than simple scheduling. Using onboard machine‑learning chips, they study your occupancy patterns, local weather feeds, and even regional tariff data to keep you warm for less. Models like the Nest Learning 4 or Tado X integrate with both traditional combi boilers and cutting‑edge air‑source heat pumps.
Cost & ROI: Hardware from £159, professional installation £120–£180. Typical payback: 18–24 months thanks to ~21 % efficiency gains.
Pro Tip: If your boiler predates 2005 or you’re switching to a heat pump soon, book an Orbas HVAC engineer to future‑proof wiring and ensure warranty compliance.
Forget wasting heat in empty rooms. Smart TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) let you assign a unique temperature to every radiator via a single app. In draught‑prone Victorian terraces, zoned heating cuts bills by up to 30 %. Look for Matter‑ready valves to avoid brand lock‑in.
DIY‑friendly if you can twist off the old knobs, but hire a pro if you need hydraulic balancing or system flushing.
Swap halogen bulbs for colour‑tunable LEDs that obey your voice or phone. Beyond ambience, automated circadian rhythms (cool white mornings, warm amber evenings) can boost sleep quality. A full‑house retrofit (≈30 bulbs) costs £250–£400 and shaves ~11 % off electricity usage.
Modern doorbells stream 2K HDR video, recognise parcels, and deter porch pirates with two‑way talk. Subscription AI filters ignore rustling leaves and focus on genuine alerts, sparing your phone battery. Choose devices with local‑storage hubs for GDPR‑friendly data control. Installation often involves safe ladder work and masonry drilling—ideal for an Orbas handyman or electrician.
Perfect for pet‑heavy households, flagship bots now empty dust automatically and mop hard floors with ultrasonic scrubbing. Expect to pay £450–£800 upfront but reclaim priceless weekend hours. Most owners schedule daily cleans via Google Home and report allergy relief within weeks.
Linked alarms pass alerts room‑to‑room and push phone notifications if you’re out. Some models trigger boiler shut‑off valves or automatically phone emergency contacts. UK Building Regulations Part B strongly recommend interlinked alarms in new builds; Orbas electricians can retrofit older homes within a morning.
Solar sensors close blinds during peak sun, slashing summer cooling costs by up to 17 %. Battery motors make retrofit simple—no chasing plaster. For bay windows or tall skylights, book an Orbas carpenter to conceal tracks for a showroom finish.
Place puck‑sized sensors under sinks, boilers, and washing machines. They sound a siren and ping your phone when even a tablespoon of water is detected. Pair with motorised shut‑off valves for automatic protection; insurers may offer premium discounts for proof of installation.
As EV adoption races past 1 million UK vehicles, a Wi‑Fi charger optimises overnight rates and balances household load. New 2025 models feature bidirectional Vehicle‑to‑Home (V2H) support, effectively turning your car into a 70 kWh backup battery. Note: Part P certification is mandatory—always hire a qualified Orbas electrician.
If juggling multiple apps drives you mad, a hub consolidates lighting, heating, and security under one roof. Matter ensures your gadgets play nice, while Thread offloads traffic from Wi‑Fi for greater reliability. Many hubs now double as Wi‑Fi 7 routers, saving space and power sockets.
Safe DIY Candidates: bulb swaps, plug‑in cameras, battery blinds, software setup.
Call a Professional When: wiring circuits, drilling through masonry, integrating boilers or heat pumps, or claiming manufacturer warranties. Orbas profiles display each freelancer’s certifications so you can decide with confidence.
“Our 1930s semi was bleeding heat and we dreaded winter bills,” says Amira K. from Manchester. “Through Orbas we hired Marcus, an independent HVAC engineer, who installed a Tado X thermostat and eight smart radiator valves in one afternoon. Our gas spend dropped 23 % the very next quarter, and the Orbas escrow system meant no money changed hands until I’d tested every radiator.”
1.8 tonnes CO₂ saved annually when combining smart heating, lighting, and leak detection.
£600+ yearly savings for a typical three‑bed UK home running on dual‑fuel tariffs.
5 % average increase in property value when listing “smart‑home ready” on Rightmove.
✓ Confirm your Wi‑Fi signal is strong in all rooms (use a free analyser app).
✓ Check boiler compatibility—open‑therm vs on/off—before ordering a thermostat.
✓ Note light‑switch types (1‑way vs 2‑way) if upgrading to smart dimmers.
✓ Photograph your consumer unit; electricians can quote accurately via Orbas chat.
✓ Set a realistic budget—factor hardware, labour, and optional service plans.
Q: Will smart devices expose my data?
A: Choose brands with end‑to‑end encryption and on‑device AI. Orbas pros can configure VLANs for extra security.
Q: How long do voice‑controlled bulbs last?
A: Around 25,000 hours—roughly 23 years at 3 hours daily.
Q: Can I bundle multiple installations?
A: Yes. Post one job listing every device; most Orbas freelancers offer 10–15 % multi‑device discounts.
Q: What happens if a device fails under warranty?
A: Keep digital receipts and Orbas chat logs; many manufacturers let certified installers file claims on your behalf.
Post Your Job – Describe the devices and timeline.
Get AI‑Matched Pros – Ranked by skills, reviews, and proximity.
Compare Transparent Quotes – Flat fees, no hidden mark‑ups.
Book & Pay Securely – Milestone escrow protects both parties.
Orbas also offers optional video walkthroughs for confident DIYers; pay per 15‑minute guidance call.
Smart‑home tech is no longer about flashing gadgets—it’s about comfort, sustainability, and long‑term value. By investing in just three of the upgrades above, most families recoup costs within two years. Ready to level up?
Post Your Smart‑Home Job on Orbas – it’s free, and you’ll receive bids within hours.
Work. Learn. Earn. Grow.
GBP
English
Arabic
German
Leave a comment