What is smart homes?

Due to the advancement in network technology, a trend in “Smart Homes” has developed allowing users to control each device remotely in their home. In this article, we will define what a Smart Home is, what technologies are used, and how this can be advantageous to homeowners.

As technology advances around the globe, homeowners are now able to control various devices inside their home using simple remote applications. These emerging “Smart homes” have introduced a new role for network technology, leading to greener impacts on the environment, reduction of laborious tasks and increased profitability when selling your home.

What is a Smart Home?

The term Smart Home refers to the use of devices and applications that control different aspects of a house. These devices and applications can generally be managed through a PC, smartphone or other network devices. This allows the homeowner to control these devices while away from the house. Smart Home technology provides a homeowner with security, convenience, flexibility, and automation.

What Are the Benefits of a Smart Home?

A Smart Home can:

1. Reduce Power Consumption

By turning off lights automatically, setting the thermostat or air conditioning to adjust at specific times, and utilizing solar energy, a Smart Home can save power and reduce costs.

2. Increase Accessibility

A Smart Home can be tailored for elderly and disabled residents through voice-command systems to control locks, lights, telephones and even the sprinkler for the lawn. This removes the need to perform labor intensive tasks for those who cannot do them.

3. Reduce Maintenance Costs

Much of the materials used in the construction of smart homes are resistant to heat, humidity and reduces the production of fungi. This helps reduce costs by minimizing heat loss.

4. Keep You Safe

Implementing security systems such as cameras, motion sensors, and even alarms can help you keep your home safe and secure. Any issues picked up by the system will notify either private security companies, local police stations or a phone. Smart Homes can also implement key cards and fingerprint technology making it difficult for thieves to break in.

5. Entertain You

While connected to your Smart Home, you can control media systems such as audio equipment, TV’s, game consoles and even the coffee machine. For those who are unable to do so, remotely controlling home entertainment systems from anywhere can help make the house more enjoyable.

6. Increase Profits

If there comes a time to sell your Smart Home, you will have a plethora of positive selling points. With all its automated systems, control, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, investing in a Smart Home can increase its market value making it worthwhile when it comes to selling.

Major Services Offered by Smart Homes

In a Smart Home, you can connect to and control all applicable devices in the home such as; electricity, air conditioning, fire alarms, audio and video and other electronics throughout the house.

• Central Control of Smart Homes

There are various devices that can contribute to the central control of a Smart Home. Using a computer, smartphone or home assistant such as the Amazon Echo, most things in the home can be controlled to make your life easier. Whether you want to brew your coffee in the morning, turn up the heating, start the washing machine or turn on the light, such a device can control almost anything in the house.

• Smart Cleaning Devices

Smart Homes can also simplify many cleaning tasks throughout the household. For example, the Neato XV Signature is a vacuum cleaner much like a Roomba, but with the ability to clean remotely using a compatible device. Using this automated vacuum cleaner, you can schedule daily cleanings or request an instant clean. Products such as these are especially effective on the elderly or disabled who would like to maintain a clean home but are not fully able to do so.

• Intelligent Electrical Control

Electricity can also be controlled in your Smart Home using your device. Equipment such as the Belkin WeMo Insight let you control power consumption through devices that require a power outlet as well as provide real-time reports on how much power is being used all through your smartphone or tablet. These accessories not only can help you manage your home with ease but also keep track on and reduce costs.

• Smart Cameras, Internal and External

A home security system is an excellent tool for keeping an eye on things in the home when you aren’t there. Whether you need to keep an eye on the kids, pets or even check on who is at the door, a home security system will allow you to keep your house safe wherever you are. Products such as the Arlo Pro 2 by NETGEAR has sound and motion detection, allows you to record footage and access it from your smartphone or PC, and is even compatible with home assistants such as the Amazon Echo.

Conclusion

Smart Homes offer a lot for those who not only want it but also need it. Although there is much development needed for homes to become fully automated and self-sufficient, products like the ones mentioned in this article benefit homeowners by minimizing effort and costs. A Smart Home can connect an entire house into one liveable network.