When it comes to technology, things happen fast. Some everyday household appliances are getting pretty quirky add-ons. Philip Martin, CEO of AppliancesDelivered.ie, shows what’s in store for homes of the future.

LG 8kg 1,400rpm Freestanding Washing Machine (€599.95)

When it comes to washing machines, there are some pretty cool features that you can add to your purchase, such as an app where you can programme your washes to come on while you are on the go or sitting or your couch.

Our personal favourites are the machines with a little trap door in case you forget to add a sock after the machine has started. However, one very practical features in this LG washing machine is a diagnostic app.

Philip says: “When something goes wrong with a washing machine, most people don’t know how to fix the problem. They get on the phone to the manufacturer and try to explain the situation, but even then the consumer probably doesn’t know exactly what the issue is.

“With this app, you place it beside your machine and the app asks ‘what’s wrong?’ The machine will then send a diagnosis. The app will send the issue to the manufacturer so that when you ring up, the person on the end of the phone will know exactly what’s wrong. For example, it could be something as simple as a sock stuck in the filter.

“They can walk you through resolving the issue yourself without you having to wait around for an engineer. And if an engineer is required, they will know exactly what the issue is before they even knock on the door.

“This is a service that people really value. And as it is saving the manufacturer money, saving time in the call centre and not sending out engineers unnecessarily, it would be fair to assume that this service could become standard in the future.”

InSinkErator Boiling C-Tap

Brushed Steel (€1,195)

For all tea and coffee fans, imagine a world where you no longer need to boil the kettle. Instead, you have boiling water on tap all day, every day.

The world of boiling water taps is here. This appliance is going to cost quite a lot for a superfast cup of tea but these hot water taps are becoming more and more commonplace, whether they are being retrofit or as part of a new-build or renovation.

Philip says: “People are seeing them in offices and businesses and know how well they would fit into their own home. Obviously, kettles are pretty cheap to buy but they are quite an inefficient product. How many times have you filled up the full kettle for only one cup of tea? With the boiling water tap, it means you are only using the water you need when you need it.

“Although the hot water tap is constantly on, it is operating on a very low wattage. It is also extremely handy for cooking. I have an 18-month-old baby and the bottles are sterilised instantly. When you have a crying baby, it is very much welcome.

“The one thing to consider when buying the product is that the housing unit is quite large and could take up to half of the space under your sink. However, for rural customers with country kitchens that may have more space, this might not be such an issue. Some cool features that you can also purchase include LED lighting which turns red when hot and blue when cold.”

Samsung G-Series Stainless Steel Fridge Freezer with SpaceMax Technology (€639.95)

The amount of technology on the market can nearly be overwhelming. Some are very cool and funky, such as the fridges that now have a selfie camera so you can see exactly what is in your fridge when you are out shopping. However, sometimes consumers are looking for technology that is more functional.

There may be the ongoing Irish Mammy joke about leaving the immersion on, but in our house we have a mammy who is obsessed with the freezer door being left open.

“That’s where the Samsung G-Series fridge comes into play,” says Philip.

“It has an alarm that will start beeping if the fridge or freezer door has been left open for longer than 60 seconds. Not only is this beneficial from a food safety element, it can really save you money.

“Any family that has arrived downstairs in the morning to a pool of water and a fully defrosted freezer knows how much that can impact your shopping bill. To be honest, it is a pretty simple piece of technology and I’m surprised it’s not used by more manufacturers.”

Pifco Robotic Vacuum Cleaner (€89.95)

Many people have heard about robotic hoovers – a vacuum cleaner that is left to its own devices and will whizz around the floor, leaving your home lovely and clean. However, you won’t find them in many houses.

“That’s because, up until recently, they had been very unaffordable,” explains Philip. “Now, however, they are coming down a bit and are going to become more mainstream. We now have a robotic vacuum cleaner that is coming in at €89.95.

“Now, it’s not the highest-end vacuum cleaner on the market and takes a while to charge, but it will suit certain consumers. For example, for older people who aren’t going to be cleaning big messes and might have mobility issues or arthritis, where a household task like hoovering is just too much for them, then set this machine up and watch it bounce from area to area, keeping the place clean.”

Amica Built-in CombiSteam Electric Single Oven Stainless Steel (€599.95)

Getting the timing right on a roast can be tricky. The set rules of timing based on weight can sometimes go awry and when it comes to something like the Christmas turkey, the most important meal of the year, you really want to get it right. Some of the high-end ovens now have a built-in probe which, when inserted into the meat, will register how cooked or uncooked your meat is, how much more time is needed for cooking and the optimum temperature.

“On top of that, it is a combi steam oven so when cooking a chicken, for example, it releases steam which crisps the skin perfectly. It really is making cooking easier. It also makes cleaning easier because it self-cleans – you simply put a quarter of a litre of water into it, put it on cleaning mode, it makes the stains moist then so that all you need to do is wipe it with a damp cloth and there’s no scrubbing required. It is also more efficient than most as it is triple glazed and will reach 150oC within four minutes.”

AppliancesDelivered.ie offers same-day delivery in the Dublin area and next-day delivery nationwide.