From Smart Toilets to Circadian Lighting: Wellness Tech Products in the Modern Home
Key Highlights
- Health and wellness technology products are moving into all areas of the home, and even one unexpected location.
- A major example is the launch of Kohler Health earlier this month, a new division that indicates major manufacturers see wellness as more than a niche market.
- Other manufacturer products focus on indoor air quality, ventilation, humidity controls, and natural, dynamic lighting that mimics the progression of the sun.
Health and wellness technology is moving into all areas of the home, and even one unexpected location. Earlier this month, Kohler launched Kohler Health, a new division focused on digital health and wellness that indicates major manufacturers sees this as more than a niche market.
The company’s debut product, Dekoda, is a sensor-powered toilet bowl attachment that monitors health indicators by examining waste.
“Every day, we flush away insights that could help us better understand our bodies and our health. We're building an entirely new category of connected well-being, rooted in the rhythms of daily life,” Kohler noted in its announcement.
The influx of such products creates new opportunities for builders and designers to meet client needs and differentiate their projects. But as these health-focused innovations becomes more prevalent, sophisticated, and integrated into core elements of the home, it raises an important question: what’s worth specifying?
Time will tell. But, in the meantime, here are an array of digital wellness products in the residential market to consider:
HEALTH MONITORS
Dekoda, Kohler Health
Connected to an app, the Dekoda uses sensors to analyze the contents of the bowl, tracking hydration, gut health, and detecting the presence of blood in urine or stool. The unit features a curved design with a clamp that attaches to the inner rim, fitting most toilets. A magnetic battery allows recharging without removing the device, and a wall-mounted remote can start or pause sessions. Fingerprint authentication protects user privacy.
WHOLE HOME AIR QUALITY
Honeywell Home ElitePRO Smart Thermostat, Resideo
Air quality has become another core pillar of wellness design. The EPA estimates that people spend 90% of their time indoors, where some pollutants can be many times higher than outdoors. And research shows that homeowners are aware of the risks, with concerns over indoor air quality going mainstream.
Reflecting such concerns, Honeywell's new Home ElitePro thermostat features a five-inch touchscreen that, in addition to temperature control, tracks humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and estimated COâ‚‚ levels in a home. It's compatible with a range of HVAC systems with no additional wiring required, according to the manufacturer, and offers voice control through all major smart home systems.
For contractors, the system can support proactive maintenance, sending custom alerts as issues arise and facilitating service appointments.
KITCHEN VENTILATION
FreshBake Range, Fotile
The 30-inch FreshBake electric range features patented air filtration technology, positioning itself as the first range that "cleans while it cooks." Its Porous Catalytic Filtration (PCF) system, coated with platinum and other precious metals, oxidizes odors, grease and gases as hot air passes through, breaking them down into harmless water vapor. According to the manufacturer, the filter eliminates 90% of harmful emissions, VOCs, grease, and smoke. The unit can also sync with the Insert Range Hood (below) to automatically activate ventilation when impurities are detected.
Insert Range Hood, Fotile
The Insert Range Hood features a built-in design that keeps it hidden when not in use. The 36-inch stainless-steel unit is motion-activated: a wave of the hand lowers the hood for smoke capture. It syncs with the FreshBake range (above), automatically activating when the range detects pollutants. The hood is designed for reduced energy consumption and quieter operation.
BATHROOM HUMIDITY CONTROLS
Air Jet Shower Drying System, Airmada
The Air Jet Shower Drying System uses forced air to dry showers and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Activated by button, or by voice or app through a smart home system, the unit uses round nozzles and linear vents placed along ceilings, walls, niches, benches and shelves to remove moisture from surfaces.
According to the manufacturer, the system reduces the need for harsh cleaning products and controls damp environments, particularly valuable for steam showers, which take significantly longer to dry naturally. Nozzles and vents come in eight finishes, with custom options available.
Humidity Sensor Switch, Lutron Bath Control Line
Lutron's Humidity Sensor Switch features a patterned grill that detects excess humidity and automatically activates the exhaust fan to manage moisture levels. Installed using existing wiring, the unit detects both sudden humidity changes, such as from a shower, or gradual humidity increases. It can be tuned to adjust sensitivity, set to run on a regular cadence for general air circulation, and features a light sensor that prevents fan operation during nighttime hours.
DYNAMIC/CIRCADIAN LIGHTING
Ketra Lighting, Lutron
Light has emerged as another key dimension of wellness in the home. A new long-term study published in Building and Environment notes that "light exerts profound non-visual effects on human circadian rhythms, emotional regulation, and metabolic processes," finding that dynamic lighting systems aligned with natural daylight patterns improved sleep quality and circadian function.
Designers and manufacturers are taking note, with products and systems that sync with natural light to improve well-being.
Lutron’s Ketra lighting, for instance, brings the natural rhythm of daylight indoors. Lighting can be programmed to follow the sun's progression throughout the day, dynamically shifting color temperature to softly rise in the morning, brighten midday, and then drop to a warm glow in the evening. According to the manufacturer, the system supports comfort, focus, and overall wellbeing.
Products include the Ketra D2, a discreet two-inch downlight with a flush-to-ceiling appearance that installs in open ceilings, and a Ketra D2 Remodeler model coming soon for renovation projects.
Marvin Awaken Skylight, Marvin
This smart skylight is said to be the first to offer built-in adjustable lighting (dimmable, tunable) that mimics the color temperature of natural light at any time, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Integrated sensors can also close the skylight when rain is detected, and integrated room-darkening or light-filtering shades are available. The skylight is double glazed with a thin coating to control that amount of heat radiation passes through, to help optimize heating and cooling needs in the home. A screen is built into the frame shielding the sides from insects and debris to keep the views clear.
It's certainly clear, wellness tech is no longer niche. How will you be using these and other innovations to enhance your next project?
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About the Author
Pauline Hammerbeck
Pauline Hammerbeck is the editor of Custom Builder, the leading business media brand for custom builders and their architectural and design partners. She also serves as a senior editor for Pro Builder, where she directs products coverage and the brand's MVP Product Awards. With experience across the built environment - in architecture, real estate, retail, and design - Pauline brings a broad perspective to her work. She lives in an American Foursquare and has strong opinions on Brutalism. Reach her at [email protected].