What if all homes had battery storage and or solar? You could then simply use it's rectifier as needed or direct 48v from the solar panels. That would be even more efficient than 230v.
Even if we were to standardize a low (<50V) voltage for DC distribution within homes, we'd still need ~120/240VAC to power big stuff, or we'd instead need even-larger conductors (more copper) than we use today to do the same work with low voltage.
But, sure -- we can play it out. So let's say we have an in-home 48VDC distribution standard and decide that this is the path forward and we enshrine it in law.
We need to convert whatever the solar system has available to 48VDC. Then, we need to distribute that 48VDC using a completely separate network of cabling. Finally, we still need to convert 48VDC to whatever it is that devices can actually use.
That's not representative of a reduction in steps, or an increase in efficiency.
That is instead just an increase in installed infrastructure expense, and a decrease in device compatibility. It takes what we have, which is simply universal (at least within any given geographical area) and adds complexity.
And for what? What's the perceived benefit?
Is the juice worth the squeeze, though? Two sets of home wiring voltages? Substantially bigger copper wire inside the walls instead of existing copper, in order to do the same work? Two sets of appliances (of all sizes) on shelves at the store? More adapters?
Billy now needs to bring 2 wall warts to make sure he can charge his portable gear at a friend's house instead of just 1, because he's never sure until he gets there if they've got a 120 or 240v house like they all used to be, a combination house, or if it's one of those solar-only places that only has the weird plugs.
What we have now is 1 cable plant connecting the rooms of a home, and an increasing number of hybrid solar inverters that -- on a sunny day -- cheerfully convert solar power directly from whatever the panels are outputting to the 120/240 VAC wiring that both existing and future appliances know how to use. At night, these hybrid systems do do the same thing from whatever voltage the battery uses and convert that to AC. There's only 1 voltage, and only 1 plug; Billy brings 1 wall wart and knows he can charge his stuff.
To be sure: What we have not strictly ideal, but then neither is changing things without a clear positive benefit.
Again: What's the qualitative advantage of changing this, other than change for the sake of change?
DC might feel nice and neat, but in reality it doesn't seem to be shaped that way at all to me.
Also, you'll need wires that 5 times thicker. Instead of needing a reasonably 1mm^2 for a normal 16A line, you'll need 5mm^2 for the same power.
I agree, it's unserious to suggest a cooker or something high power is going to run off of 48v. But for loads like lights, PC/Laptop/TV/Audio 16a at 48v is ~770W which is adequate for these devices.
DC infrastucture makes sense in highly specialised environments.... Like new gigawatt AI farms
I don't think that much stuff is left which actually needs AC power (usually to run an AC induction motor).