The 3 Smart Home Features High-End Homeowners Want Most in 2025

Energy Management and Wellness Automation Lead the Charge

The luxury home automation game has changed. Gone are the days when wealthy homeowners just wanted to control their lights from their phones. Now they want systems that make them healthier, slash their energy bills, and work hassle-free. 

This year, three trends have dominated our conversations with architects and custom builders. They reflect how people think about their homes now: not as tech showcases but as reliable partners in living a better life.

The shift makes sense. Why add technology just to have it? Buyers want intelligence that supports their routines, monitors their health, and protects the planet. All without them lifting a finger.

See what the trends are below.

MORE ON SMART HOMES: What Is Lighting & Shading Control?

1. Energy Automation: From Basic Thermostats to Brain-Level Intelligence

Programmable thermostats are helpful, but the latest energy management systems see everything. They track power usage on every circuit and spot waste, and then fix it automatically. Then, going a step further, it shows you exactly where your money goes each month.

Here's what catches homeowners' attention: These systems can simultaneously manage solar panels, home batteries, and the power grid. If the solar panels produce extra power, the system can send it to your Tesla or store it for later use. When electricity rates spike at 5 p.m., your home switches to battery power automatically. You never notice; it simply works!

Smart electrical panels give you precision control during power outages. Keep the fridge, HVAC system, and any necessary medical equipment running while everything else shuts down. Is a heat wave coming? The system knows. It pre-cools your home overnight when rates are low. Many power companies now pay homeowners to reduce usage during crunch times, and these power systems can handle it automatically. 

They can also detect potential issues with appliances by identifying when a device is drawing more power than it should and notifying the homeowner. Early detection like this helps prevent damage or failure. It’s a cost-effective alternative for those who need an underground electrical panel upgrade when electrifying their home, which is a process that can cost up to $40,000 and is often delayed by utility providers. We’ve found these providers are frequently unreliable and can significantly stall project timelines.

Homeowners typically need a panel upgrade when the existing electrical panel can’t support a new EV charger or when replacing gas appliances with electric ones. Smart panels can actively manage the energy demand of each appliance, helping prevent overloads.

2. Wellness Lighting and Air Quality: Your Home as Health Partner

Health-conscious homeowners work hard to be healthy, and lighting is one wellness consideration many have overlooked.

The concept is simple. Light changes throughout the day to match your biology. Cool, bright light in the morning gets you going, and warm, dim light at night helps you wind down. The changes happen so slowly you rarely notice the difference, but your sleep improves, your energy increases, and your mood lifts with circadian lighting.

Air quality systems have become equally sophisticated. Sensors monitor CO₂, humidity, particles, and chemicals; when filters need changing, you’re notified via a convenient push notification on your smartphone. 

Temperature control at your fingertips is essential. Imagine bedrooms dropping a few degrees at night for better sleep, and bathroom floors warming up before your alarm goes off in the morning. Every space optimizes for what you're doing there without a second thought.

3. Multi-Property Control: One App to Rule Them All

Wealthy families rarely live in just one place, and having a home control system that understands this has become vital for modern lifestyles.

Robust control platforms handle complexity gracefully, giving each family member their own access level. Kids can control their room TV, not the family home theater or thermostat. Parents can control everything. Guests get temporary access to specific features, like the pool house and guest suite, but nothing more.

Property managers need different permissions. They can check systems and schedule maintenance, but can't access security cameras in private spaces or change personal settings.

Remote monitoring changes the game for vacation homes. If you see something suspicious? Receive an instant alert on your phone, then check the cameras. If a storm knocked out power, you can remotely verify whether or not the generator kicked in. Heading to Aspen for the weekend? Tell the house you're coming. It'll be the perfect temperature and well-lit when you arrive.

Geofencing makes it even smoother. Your house will know when you're 30 minutes away. Rooms will warm up, lights will turn on, and your favorite streaming radio station will be queued up, fully ready for your arrival. 

Professional Installation Isn't Optional

Consumer smart home products are toys compared to whole-home technology integration.

Professional integrators like Brains Automation see the big picture. They know which systems play nicely together and which don’t. They design networks that handle 50+ devices without breaking a sweat, and they can make different brands work as one system. Try that with your DIY setup.

Build a Home That Makes Life Simpler

Homes in 2025 adapt to your needs, align with your routines and values, and create responsive, calm, and secure spaces.

Bringing your vision to life starts with conversations early in your build or remodel. Share your goals for comfort, health, and sustainability. Explore how energy management, wellness automation, and multi-property control create living spaces that harmonize with your lifestyle.

This is the moment to embrace a smarter, healthier, and more efficient way of living. Partner with our professionals by filling out our contact form here. Let’s design every detail with care and expertise so you can experience the difference of a home that elevates every day.