Some considerations about the provision of residential electrical installations with reference to human needs

In recent decades, demographic and technological evolution introduced new challenges in residential electrical installations. The aging population and the increase in the number of people with disabilities are key factors driving a reconsideration of how homes and their installations should be designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or reduced motor and sensory capacities. Statistical available data highlights that the percentage of the population over 65 is increasing as well as the one of people with disabilities, the spread of smart technologies in homes is still limited and residential units are subject to renovation with a time scale much longer than the one of technological evolution of their electrical installations. These trends demand a philosophical reflection on the need to adapt residential units to enable a growing number of elderly people and individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible according to their needs. A crucial element of this necessary transformation is the renewal of electrical systems. To make these homes more functional, it is essential not only to modernize existing systems but also to prepare them for the integration of future technologies. The renewal of electrical systems is no longer limited to replacing or upgrading traditional systems; it extends to the creation of smart environments that can support full electrification and the adoption of advanced home automation solutions. This approach enables buildings to be “ready” for technological evolution, minimizing future structural interventions and reducing overall long-term costs.