Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] In Scotland homeowners can get a £7,500 grant for a heat pump via its Home Energy scheme - but for air-air versions that could offer cooling there is no funding at all. BBC News
• [New] Australian households face the prospect of a Reserve Bank interest rate hike and petrol prices above $2 a liter over the coming weeks, economists warn, as the escalating Middle East crisis pushes global crude back above $US100 a barrel. The Guardian
• [New] By 2030 there will be an additional 1.5 million premature deaths per year caused by household pollution from burning wood and dung and through a lack of basic sanitation and healthcare. Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
• [New] While price trends are going to vary by area, and some places are seeing mild declines, experts still expect home prices to net positive in 2026 at the national level. Arbor Home Loans
• [New] The National Association of REALTORS expects home sales to improve modestly during the second half of 2026, with buyer activity continuing to build throughout the remainder of the year. Mynor & Associates
• [New] Moving forward, we think Canadian housing will continue its recovery in the second half of the year, supported by pent-up demand and past affordability improvements in B.C. and Ontario. Mortgage Rates & Mortgage Broker News in Canada
• [New] The declaration of a drought does not mean there is currently a threat to water supplies for homes and businesses, with Welsh water companies saying reservoir levels are holding up after a wet start to the year. BBC News
• [New] Apple's long-rumored smart home push may finally be nearing launch, with Bloomberg reporting that a new home hub, refreshed Apple TV, and updated HomePod mini could roll out over the coming months. Digital Trends
• [New] The first grocery store will open by the end of 2027 at Hunts Point in the Bronx, a neighborhood where 77% of households struggle to afford basic necessities. The Bronx Daily | Bronx.com
• [New] The proposed 17.1% average increase in monthly premiums for 2027 Pennie health insurance plans would place an unacceptable burden on Pennsylvania families. New Hope Free Press
• [New] 30% of the Canadian population currently owns smart home devices, which is expected to increase to 50-55%. Straits Research
• [New] Water Gap, described as the first unified strategy to achieve universal access to safe, running water and working sanitation in every American home by 2040. Informed Infrastructure
• [New] Real estate experts anticipate modest, sustainable growth rather than a downturn, with existing home sales projected to increase by 2-14% in 2026, depending on interest rate movements. Houzeo
• [New] Research suggests a 1 kW north-facing plug-in solar system in Melbourne could save a typical household around $248 a year, reducing annual electricity bills by about 15%. Have a Go News
• [New] Optimum, Xfinity, Frontier, and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are all offering five-year price locks, so your bill will not creep up in 2027. HighSpeedInternet.com
• [New] One unexpected consequence of the AI boom is that Google, Microsoft and Amazon could end up financing home energy upgrades to free up grid availability. Last Week in ConTech
• [New] In most parts of the U.S., building an energy efficient home will cost slightly more upfront, usually around 5% to 15% above a standard build. EcoFlow
• [New] Climate change is no longer a future threat to Canadian home insurance - it's a present reality driving significant premium increases across every province. BlueCouch Insurance

Last updated: 08 August 2026