| February 6, 2002
Australia First to Launch SmartWiredTM Home
A world first Australian initiative, the SmartWiredTM House has been launched in Australia.
An initiative of the Copper Development Centre Australia Ltd, the first SmartWiredTM House is being built in the form of a display home at Homeworld, in the Sydney suburb of Kellyville.
The CEO of the Copper Development Centre, Mr. John Fennell, said that the SmartWiredTM display home will incorporate a technology independent wiring structure for the home to suit the needs of:
- Telecommunications (Telephony, Pay TV, Internet, Fax)
- Security
- Audio
- Lighting
- Garden Irrigation/Lighting
Mr. Fennell said that "SmartWiredTM houses are a technology evolution that would enable new homebuilders to 'future proof' their homes".
"The information and communications age is well and truly with us and the home is fast becoming a center for business (home/office), learning, shopping online, entertainment, convenience and energy efficiency."
"Smart Houses and 'Smart Communities' are the face of the future," said Mr. Fennell. "Consumers now want technology that allows them to communicate locally, nationally and globally."
The Internet has changed our lives forever, allowing communication, education, entertainment, business and e-commerce to take place from the convenience and safety of the home.
"In addition, Pay TV also brings entertainment, movies, sport and learning into the lounge room," said Mr. Fennell. The SmartHouseTM is all about lifestyle enhancement."
For instance if a family has three children, each can be using the Internet simultaneously in their rooms while Dad is also utilizing it in his home-office.
"Mum can be watching a fashion parade on a Pay TV lifestyle channel, shopping online while using a split screen to check that baby is sleeping soundly in the nursery," Mr. Fennell said.
Affordable Technology
By pre-wiring homes during construction, new homebuilders will save thousands of dollars.
"Our aim is to keep the cost of pre-wiring a new home to a minimum and the final cost will certainly be very low when compared to retro-fitting an existing home," said Mr. Fennell.
Of real interest to the new homebuyer is that the cost of SmartWiringTM can be added to the mortgage. However, consumers that do not want the total package can select from each of the pre-wired options (i.e., telecommunications, security, audio, lighting and garden irrigation).
Recent market research carried out by the Copper Development Centre indicates that the SmartWiredTM concept will be strongly embraced by new homebuilders.
According to Mr. Fennel, over 80% of respondents indicated that they would take up the total package especially when it was added to the mortgage, with the telecommunications package considered essential, followed by home security.
To showcase the benefits that a pre-wired SmartWiredTM house can offer, several major hardware companies will incorporate their products. The display home will include:
- Multiple telephone points
- Pay TV with several points
- Computers/Internet operating independently also in several rooms
- Internal and External Security
- Sensor lighting
- Multiple Audio points/Speakers
- Automatic Garden Irrigation and Lighting
To facilitate the introduction of SmartWiringTM, the Copper Development Centre, in conjunction with the HIA (Housing Industry Association) and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) has developed a SmartWiringTM training course.
"Over 16,000 electricians nationally are being trained to install data cabling at the same time as they wire a home for power," said Mr. Fennell. "And the HIA has incorporated the SmartWiringTM package and options in their standard housing contract."
The Copper Development Centre has trade mark registered several SmartWiredTM names and logos, which will be marketed to both trade and consumer groups.
"We expect homes endorsed with the SmartWiringTM logo and complete SmartWiringTM package to become more valuable and be in greater demand than homes with only normal power wiring," said Mr. Fennell.
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Contact information:
Copper Development Centre Australia
Suite 1, Level 7 Westfield Building
100 William Street
WOOLLOOMOOLOO NSW 2011
Ph: +612 9380 2000
Fx: +612 9380 2666
E-mail: acic@copperdev.com
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