What is smart home automation?

Smart home technology refers to an array of devices or systems that connect to a common network such as the Wifi installed in your home. These devices can be independently remotely controlled. A string of devices and appliances connected together can form a connected home. For example, you can have the thermostat at home, lights, audio speakers, TVs, security cameras, locks and appliances connected into a common system that has the capability of being controlled through your smartphone.

 

Smart home technology allows you to tap into and make the most of high-tech appliances to create levels of luxury that weren’t possible before. As smart home automation continues to generate consumer interest, the technology will continue to expand as more developments are made. Smart home automation breaks the barriers of ways technology can be used to make life easier and more enjoyable.

 

The advantages of smart home automation

Some people think that automation and converting your home into a connected home is a waste of money, but there are many practical advantages to home automation.

 

Manage all your home devices from one place

The biggest advantage of automating your home is convenience. Having all your devices and appliances connected through one user interface is a massive step forward for technology and home management capabilities. Learning to use these smart home apps are also easy, taking the learning curve out of the equation and making it easy for anyone to hop on the automation bandwagon and make the most of their home appliances.

 

Flexibility for new devices and appliances

Smart home systems come with the flexibility to accommodate new appliances. Even if you buy the latest and greatest appliance today, there will be a better one tomorrow. As time goes on, newer and more impressive models will continue to be developed. With these new devices, you might consider buying one or two to add to your existing smart home devices. Being able to integrate these newer devices and appliances into your pre-existing smart home network makes it seamless and easy for you to continue to upgrade your lifestyle technology.

 

Maximising home security

Through the incorporation of smart home security and surveillance devices, you can convert your home into Fort Knox if you had to. Home automation systems can connect motion sensors, surveillance cameras, and automated door locks to a network that you can control from your phone. You can also receive security alerts on your devices depending on when the alert goes off, along with being able to monitor your home in real-time, regardless of where you are physically. 

 

Remote control of home functions

Imagine driving back from work after a long day and wishing you could walk into your lounge with the lights turned on, your air conditioning on full blast, and a cup of coffee brewing to be ready just in time, waiting for you to get home. Guess what? You can achieve all of that with smart home automation. You can control your oven, see whether someone is at the front door, and even switch off appliances you forgot to turn off before you left home. Fancy, right?

 

Increased energy efficiency

Depending on how you choose to use your smart home appliances, you can make your entire living space more energy efficient. You can precisely control heating and cooling functions with a smart thermostat that is programmable, allowing you to work around your schedule and temperature preferences. The smart home would then optimise all your devices to the best energy efficiency settings throughout the day. Lights and motorised shades can be programmed to day and evening modes, where lights switch on and off automatically to ensure you don’t have to worry about wasting energy.

 

Improved appliance functionality

Smart homes can help your appliances run better. A smart TV helps you find better apps and channels in accordance with your viewing preferences. A smart oven helps you cook your meals to perfection without worrying about undercooking your food, or leaving your oven on for too long which would then overcook your food. Intelligent home theaters and audio systems can help manage your movie collections and audiobooks, making your life easier and providing you with the peace of mind you need in the fast-paced lives we are living in the 21st century.

 

Home management insights

Having all your devices and appliances connected to one common network with being able to control everything through one interface allows you get insights into how your home operates. You can monitor how long you watch TV, the meals you cook, the foods you like to keep stocked up in your refrigerator, and your energy consumption habits over time. Using these insights, you can analyse your daily habits and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

 

Taking care of the elderly

Smart home automation technology has several benefits when it comes to taking care of an elderly person. A smart home can notify the person when it is time to take their medicine, alert hospitals, and emergency services if the resident falls along with tracking how much food the person is consuming. Smart homes can perform tasks such as shutting off the water before the tub overflows and turning off ovens if the person cooking has wandered away. A smart home system might cost less than a full-time nursing home, and would allow adult children who live far away to actively participate in the care of their aging parents.

 

Smart home tech will continue to develop

This is another advantage to smart home automation that makes it rather timeless. The world’s biggest tech companies have entered into the smart home automation market. This means that smart home tech will continue to develop and get bigger and better as time goes on to match our digital needs and keep up with the tech industry which is continuously evolving.

 

Here’s a small list of smart home appliances that you should consider:

 

  • Surveillance

 

      1. Arlo Pro 2
      2. Ring Video Doorbell
      3. Blink Security Camera

 

  • Smart heating / smart cooling

 

      1. Nest Learning Thermostat
      2. Sensibo Sky Air Conditioner Controller
      3. ecobee3 lite

 

  • Home assistants

 

      1. iRobot Roomba Vacuum
      2. Furbo Dog Camera
      3. Logitech Harmony Elite

 

  • Energy savings

 

      1. Rachio 3
      2. Sense Energy Monitor
      3. Orbit Faucet Timer
      4. Philips LED Smart Bulb
      5. ecobee Switch

 

  • Health tracking

 

      1. Nima Gluten Sensor
      2. QardioBase 2

 

  • Safety

 

      1. August Smart Lock Pro
      2. SimpliSafe 9 Piece Security System
      3. Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit

 

  • Kitchen assistant

 

    1. Atomi Smart Coffee Maker
    2. Instant Pot Smart WiFi
    3. Anova Culinary Cooker

 

Having the ability to control pretty much anything and everything in your home without being physically present is a feat of technology that can make life easier for anyone. For people working, it can provide them with the peace of mind they need so they don’t need to worry about the safety and security of their homes. Even though automating your entire home may be expensive, it is a worthwhile investment that won’t need a massive overhaul every few years. Instead, you can continue to add to your smart home networks and make any upgrades necessary.