Understanding Smart Home Technology
Mar 8th 2018
With all of the smart home devices available today, a house can feel like it’s straight out of The Jetsons. What was once science fiction is now a reality that anyone can purchase at their local WalMart or from an Amazon app on their mobile devices. With a few clicks of a button or taps on a screen, a person can connect all of the appliances using smart home technology. However, for those unfamiliar with this trend, it’s best to understand smart home technology before installing any systems in your residence.
What is Smart Home Technology?
Smart home technology refers to a house where the appliances, HVAC system, lighting, entertainment systems, security systems, and computers communicate with one another, allowing a user to control and monitor everything from a single device.
While you can automate almost every electronic device in your home, you can also pick and choose. For example, maybe you just want to monitor the locks on your doors and the temperature on your thermostat. However, if you want everything connected to smart home devices, that’s also possible. You can customize your smart home devices to fit your needs.
The Advantages of Smart Home Technology
Outfitting your house with smart home technology is a costly change to make, but there are so many benefits to doing so.
- Ease of use: Smart home technology makes it easy to maintain your residence. From your smartphone, you can access and control any smart home device in your house. The apps designed for smart home devices simplify the process so you’re never unsure about whether an appliance or system is operating as it should.
- Added security: Never worry about your house’s security again with smart home technology. Smart locks allow you to open your home to whomever you’d like while also making it simple to lock it down when necessary. Additionally, you don’t need to be anxious about forgetting to turn on your security system again because if this task did slip your mind, you could turn it on from anywhere.
- Improved energy efficiency: Automating your lighting and HVAC systems means your appliances are only running when they need to, rather than draining energy all day. If you are using less energy throughout the day, you’ll also save money on your utility bills, offsetting the cost of your smart home devices.
- Better accessibility: Whether you are tucked into bed or sitting at the airport waiting for a flight, you can control all of your smart home devices from anywhere. With a few taps on your smartphone, make sure the doors are locked, the security system is engaged, and all the lights are turned off. No matter where you are, you can keep an eye on your place with smart home devices.
How to Incorporate Smart Home Devices
You’ve decided to transform your house into a smart home. Before you purchase any smart home devices or appliances, you must:
- Choose an assistant: The top choices include Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant, and Apple’s Siri.
- Pick your hardware: The hardware you select will serve as your smart home technology hub. Depending on the assistant you chose, it’s best to go with the accompanying hardware, so for Amazon (Echo Dot, Echo, Echo Show), Google (Google Home, newer Android smartphones and tablets), or Apple (iPhones, iPads, iWatches). Selecting products that use different technology requires a bridging device, which is why most experts recommend sticking with the same family of products for your smart home.
Once you’ve selected your assistant and its accompanying hardware, it’s time to shop for the smart home devices you want to install in your residence. Do your research before investing in any product, just to make sure you are getting the best.
Some worry that smart home technology will clash with their home decor. Smart home devices certainly have a modern, sleek look to them but if you are aiming for a more rustic feel to it, make sure to balance everything out. For instance, a kitchen outfitted with smart home appliances needs a natural touch, such as a wood rolling barn door (on sale for 30 percent off with promo code SAVE30).