How much should you set aside for lighting, blinds, climate and security in a 120 m² flat, and when does it pay back?
A smart home often looks like a luxury, but a well-designed system brings consumption insight, savings and comfort. In this article we build a realistic budget for a 120 m² 3+1 flat at 2026 prices. The figures are based on VAT-inclusive list prices and are approximate.
Assumptions
Three rooms (living room, master bedroom, child's room), a wireless Matter/Zigbee infrastructure, lighting, blinds, room-by-room heating and basic security. Energy monitoring and audio are not included.
Budget items
- Hub (AY-Core): 6,500 TRY
- Lighting, 3 rooms x 2,400 TRY: 7,200 TRY
- Blind motors, 3 rooms x 3,900 TRY: 11,700 TRY
- Climate (thermostat + valves), 3 rooms x 3,200 TRY: 9,600 TRY
- Security (lock, video doorbell, sensors): 9,800 TRY
- Installation and programming: 6,300 TRY
Total
The total investment is around 51,100 TRY, roughly 17,000 TRY per room. If you install it yourself the installation item falls to about 3,000 TRY, though switch replacement needs electrical knowledge.
Energy savings
Room-by-room heating and window sensors can save 15-25 percent on heating. For a household with a 12,000 TRY annual gas bill that is 1,800-3,000 TRY. Lighting automation and ready-made scenes can save around 1,000 TRY more a year. So payback from energy alone stretches over a long 12-15 years.
Where is the real value?
Measuring payback only by energy is misleading. The real value of a smart home is comfort, security, its contribution to the home's value and the time it saves. Real estate professionals note that smart home infrastructure increases a home's appeal when selling or renting.
Phased installation
You do not have to buy everything at once. Start with the 9,900 TRY starter kit for lighting and scenes, and add blind and climate modules if you are satisfied. Because all devices work with the same hub, adding on is easy.
For a calculation tailored to your own home you can use our budget calculator.
Hidden costs
When budgeting also think about: electrician labour if the electrical panel lacks space or neutral wiring, Wi-Fi or network improvements, battery replacements (every 2-4 years in sensors) and a support subscription. These items can add 5-10 percent to the total budget.
Tariffs matter too: smart scheduling suited to day and night tariffs can bring additional savings by shifting heating and water-heater run times to cheaper hours.
When comparing prices, do not look only at the device cost; ask about software updates, remote support and spare-parts periods too. A system that looks cheap may require reinvestment when the manufacturer's support ends. A locally running, open-protocol infrastructure is likely to be the most economical approach in the long run.