When we think of our home we should have thoughts filled with happiness, contentment, warmth, love and security. It's more than just four walls and a place to eat and sleep, but it's where relationships are developed and where some of our biggest life events happen.
The relationship we have with home is a close one, and it's now a proven scientific fact, as a new study finds the emotional connection to our home is as strong as it is with our pets and best friends.
Neuroscientists Dr Duncan Banks and Tony Steffert from the Open University, along with smart home leader British Gas, has released a study showing that our heart rate jumps up with the same happiness when we see or think about our home as it does when we call to mind our best friend or family pet.
And there's more - the smarter our home gets, the stronger our emotional connection becomes, apparently.
The scientific test
Participants took part in a study where their brain activity was measured using an EEG cap. They were stimulated to think about a given topic for three and a half minutes and every 10 seconds a word or phrase on the topic - Happy Home, Homesickness, Friends & Pets and Home technology - would be played over loud speakers to monitor their emotional responses.
Left diagram: Brain with connected home. Right diagram: Brain without connected home
The findings
Participants experienced the same strong positive emotions about their home as they do towards their beloved pets and close friends, scientifically validating the attachment and happiness we feel towards our home.
For those participants with smart home technology, higher levels of brain activity and positive emotions were recorded when thinking about their home than those without any form of smart home system.
What the scientists say
'In British culture our home is our haven. It has a uniquely powerful place in our hearts and lives. Yet until now, nobody has tested whether a truly emotional connection exists and can be measured scientifically,' said Dr Duncan Banks, neuroscientist at the Open University and Health Sciences Consultant for the BBC. 'Our findings clearly show that our relationships with our homes are surprisingly stronger than you'd imagine. Smart home technology seems to be enabling people to visualise their homes more vividly, thus helping them to develop a stronger connection with them. As homes are currently undergoing one of the biggest technological transformations in recent history, you could say that smart homes are fast becoming part of the family.'
What does this mean for the future?
From smart metres, to remotely controlling lights, and performing tasks with the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Home, smart tech is saving us time, money and energy.
The smart and connected home revolution is well underway, and it's the biggest transformation since being connected to mains electricity and gas a hundred years ago. In terms of growth, the global smart home market is forecast to be worth $121bn (£93n) by 2022, according to a report by marketsandmarkets.com. In the UK, there are currently more than four million homes with some form of smart home technology system - research by Strategy Analytics reveal that's an increase of 30 per cent year on year.
There's no denying that smart technology is revolutionising our home, so take a look at how our home is shaping up for the future.
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The study you mentioned delves into the emotional connection we have with our homes, suggesting that it's as strong as the bond we share with our pets or best friends. Dr. Duncan Banks and Tony Steffert, alongside British Gas, conducted a study measuring brain activity using EEG caps. Participants were stimulated to think about different topics related to their homes, happiness, homesickness, friends and pets, and home technology. Words or phrases were played over speakers to monitor their emotional responses.
The findings revealed that individuals experienced similar positive emotions when thinking about their homes as they did with their beloved pets or close friends. Moreover, participants with smart home technology showed higher levels of brain activity and positive emotions when contemplating their homes compared to those without such systems.
Dr. Banks, a neuroscientist at the Open University, highlighted that the emotional connection with our homes is surprisingly strong and measurable. Smart home technology appears to intensify this connection by enabling people to visualize their homes more vividly, strengthening their bond. This study points towards smart homes becoming integral to our lives, akin to being a part of the family.
As for the future implications, the revolution of smart and connected homes is already underway, changing how we interact with and perceive our living spaces. The global smart home market is projected to be worth $121 billion by 2022, indicating substantial growth. In the UK alone, there's been a 30% yearly increase in homes adopting smart technology. This surge includes innovations like smart meters, voice-controlled assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and other automated systems that streamline tasks, save time, money, and energy.
This transformation in home technology is akin to the monumental shift witnessed a century ago when homes were connected to mains electricity and gas. The progression of smart home technology continues to shape our living spaces, making them more efficient, responsive, and integral to our daily lives.
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