Technology has continued to advance quickly in recent years, and the advent of smartphone technology quickly led to a boom in other varieties of smart devices. For a time, smart technology was limited to a few technology spaces such as phones, tv top boxes, tablets and various other types of handhelds, but now it can be difficult to find a piece of tech that doesn’t contain smart capabilities.
For a time, the home appliance space wasn’t seeing many smart options made available, and the ones that did exist were comparatively expensive. Times have changed, however, and affordable smart alternatives to various home appliances and utilities have become readily available. Smart technology has made home automation both easy and affordable, allowing homeowners to control most utilities and appliances from a simple application, even from outside the home itself.
Home automation isn’t simply about convenience, but practicality and safety as well. Smart automation devices assist with security, emergency situations, cooking, cleaning, and nearly anything else you can think of. The range of automation possibilities is difficult to fully state, but below we’ll look at a few of the most commonly used interconnected smart devices in a home environment.
1. Smart Thermostats
Thermostats are a vital piece of equipment found in most living arrangements in order to control indoor temperature and occasionally other related indoor conditions. As thermostats are nearly universal devices, it stands to reason that they would be early adopters of smart technology. At first glance, smart thermostats can seem a bit superfluous, but when examined in detail the additional functionality they bring to the table can be pretty useful and desirable.
Smart thermostats allow homeowners to connect remotely, change temperature, and monitor energy consumption with little more than a simple phone app. The built-in smart technology remembers your temperature preferences, and can dynamically change temperature settings throughout a given day without any direct interaction.
Topping off the list of common benefits is the fact that smart thermostats have been shown to save energy due to their efficiency. Simply using a smart thermostat, even without taking advantage of most of its features, will save upwards of $150 per year on average.
2. Smart Doors and Locks
Automated doors and locks eliminate keys from the equation when it comes to leaving and entering a home. Depending on the chosen smart lock, systems can detect when you’re leaving and lock the doors, and unlock them upon returning.
Some systems will monitor and keep track of who is entering and exiting your home, and at what times. Family and friends can automatically be allowed in if you choose, and smart locks are significantly more difficult to break into than classic door locks.
3. Cameras
Smart cameras are another type of device that has become popular in recent year, due in large part to their simplicity and ease of use. At the heart of any security system is its cameras, and the home is no exception to the rule. Smart cameras retain the benefit of more traditional home security cameras while taking advantage of wireless technology, higher quality video feeds, and easier storage of recordings.
Smart cameras can be set up to detect motion, minimizing their energy and data use. Homeowners can view recordings from their computer or smart devices through either an application or raw video files depending on the camera. If you’re a security-minded individual, a home surveillance system is a must, and smart cameras are the way to go.
4. Lighting Systems
Automated lighting systems are a sight to behold, and a joy to use. As the name should suggest, automated lighting systems use smart technology In order to control your homes lighting in a variety of ways. Lights can be scheduled to turn on or off at specific times, put on timers, and controller remotely like most home automation devices. On Top of the above, lighting systems can be controlled with light switches, applications, and even voice.
Although these are just a few of the most common home automation devices, there are many more to choose from. Home automation is becoming the norm, with many newly built homes including automation by default. If you’re looking to upgrade your home with new technology, look no further than home automation options. Once you’ve given it a try, you’ll be amazed at the new level of control you’ll have over your home.