It is becoming increasingly common, transitioning from a regular home into a smart home. So what counts as a smart home? And why are more and more homeowners taking a turn towards that route?
For starters, you are probably aware of how fast technology is improving, and how it is managing to change lifestyles or basically just the way the world works. With that it was inevitable that when lifestyles are meant to change, that does not only apply to humans but the way things are done. And by that we mean the way sprinklers come on every morning at an auto set time, or how with the tap of a button you can draw the curtains – automating your home basically. That is what smart homes are about: home automation and much more.
Here are some facts you should know about smart homes. The transition does sound interesting but any sort of transition takes some effort and getting used to, and a smart home may not be so easy for everyone.
Internet Connectivity
In order to operate a smart home there must be internet connectivity around the clock, because what good is a smart device if it can’t connect to the internet? Smart devices take commands via the internet and are either controlled through their associated mobile applications, or further synced to central hubs like ZigBee and Z-Wave for instance. Nonetheless, internet connectivity is a crucial part of a smart home.
Internet plans usually aren’t set to cater to withstanding the usage of smart devices. Their bandwidth is only enough to sustain video streaming, online gaming, and supporting devices like smartphones and tablets or even smart TVs. In order to support a smart home, the bandwidth would have to be higher. You could always compare internet charges of providers in your local area for a better package for your home.
Home Automation
Smart Homes essentially comprise of internet enabled devices and appliances with automation features. It is the internet connectivity that allows for homeowners to access the devices remotely and wirelessly – and that means from miles away too.
When there is remote access to smart devices within the home that immediately translates to having the ability to get things done with the tap of a button, whether it is switching on a light, drawing the curtains, turning on the thermostat – you get the picture. But what’s more is that a lot of smart devices feature scheduling that lets homeowners log onto the associated mobile app (which is basically the control center) and set daily or even weekly schedules for their respective devices.
Energy Efficiency
With home automation being possible and other features included, smart devices are great for energy conservation, and a lot of their already existing features help facilitate that. Here’s how.
Since smart devices can be accessed through mobile applications from miles away, and through voice commands if synced to a smart speaker or if they are compatible with any voice assistant even on your smartphones, this enables you to control your devices quite easily. That also means you can switch off your lights, turn on the smart thermostat when you’re turning in your lane, and control the sprinkler system while you sit by the hotel pool on your vacation.
There is no room for energy wastage when your devices are accessible to you around the clock and quite literally from the palm of your hands, because when do we ever really leave our phones behind?
Home Security
Apart from automation and energy efficiency, the one thing most home owners overlook is the fact that smart devices are perfect for home security. They are like an alternative means of securing your homes, while having around the clock access to the devices that enable you to watch over your home even while you’re away.
Smart Cameras and Video Doorbells work similarly in the way that they allow homeowners to view a live footage with a backup history usually available should they have missed out on something. With that the video quality is almost always in HD, with a wide angle view that covers a whole room, and in the case of video doorbells, a person from head to toe. They also sport night vision and two way audio for people to easily communicate. With Video Doorbells, homeowners can answer their door even if they aren’t home! That’s right, tell the neighbor that you would be back shortly, or let the UPS guy know that he can just slip the mail under your door since you can’t come to the door.
Smart Door Locks are also another great example, allowing people to remotely lock and unlock their doors for themselves or even friends and family while they’re away themselves. They can auto-lock themselves too as well as follow a schedule that can be set using their mobile applications just like with all smart devices.
So before you get caught up in the idea that smart homes are glamorous, or rather much difficult to maintain, here are some factors that you should know about. Smart Homes may be tricky to maneuver or may take some time to get used to with some homeowners, but what you should take from this is that smart devices are essentially investments into your homes. They are long term, they have benefits as well as some issues as do all things, but they won’t disappoint given how technology is progressing.
