What is smart home?
A smart home means your home has a smart home system that connects with your appliances to automate specific tasks and is typically remotely controlled. You can use a smart home system to program your sprinklers, set and monitor your home security system and cameras, or control appliances like your refrigerator or air conditioning and heating.
At Constellation we love how energy-efficient smart homes are, because they save you precious time and money while also conserving energy!
Benefits of changing to smart home:
Many people are looking into smart home ideas, how do they work, or how they do these specific tasks such as:
- Smart homes allow you to have greater control of your energy use, all while automating things like adjusting temperature, turning on and off lights, opening and closing window treatments, and adjusting irrigation based on the weather.
- Smart homes provide insights into energy use that can help you become more energy efficient and mindful of ecological factors.
- Smart homes can pinpoint areas where you’re using more energy than you need to, allowing you to cut back in those areas and save money.
And while it might sound like just another passing fad to some, the smart home, like the smartphone is here to stay. With over 80 million smart home devices shipped worldwide in 2016, some predicts that these numbers will grow to over 130 million smart home devices by the end of 2017.
What are some smart home ideas?
If you are looking around your house wondering what regular devices you have and that can be turned into a smart device, it’s better to ask “What can’t be turned into a smart device?” If it can be plugged in, chances are there’s a company out there making a smart version of it. To get you started, there are some to know about smart home ideas that usually at a smart home:
- Keep your home safe with smart locks. Replace your current front-door lock with a smart lock to lock and unlock your door remotely, check to make sure you locked the door after you’ve already left, and keep a record of who has come and gone.
- Monitor your home with smart security alerts. Most of smart home devices can alert you to safety or security issues remotely. Get alerts no matter where you are for leaks, for leaving the garage door open, for smoke, for when someone rings your doorbell, or for if you left something plugged in that really should have been turned off before you left the house.
- Manage your home temperature and save energy with a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can learn your habits and automatically adjusts the temperature based on your unique schedule. It also lets you manually and remotely adjust temperatures through an app.
- Delegate tasks through a smart assistant. A virtual assistant for an example Amazon Echo, allows you to use voice commands to do things such as turn on music, search the Web and control your household smart devices.
- Streamline your chores with smart appliances. Smart TVs, dishwashers, refrigerators, and washers and dryers all allow remote access and control, and can alert you to information that’s relevant to each appliance. For example, your washing machine can detect when energy consumption is the lowest in your area and turn on during that time, or your refrigerator can check your groceries, letting you know when the eggs are about to expire or how much milk you have left!
Common components and features of smart homes include:
- Smart Lighting: Lighting systems that can be controlled remotely, dimmed, or automated based on occupancy or time of day.
- Thermostats: Smart thermostats that regulate heating and cooling to optimize energy usage and maintain comfortable temperatures.
- Smart Appliances: Kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, and coffee makers, that can be controlled or monitored through a smartphone or voice commands.
- Security Systems: Integrated security systems with cameras, motion detectors, and alarms that can be monitored and controlled remotely.
- Smart Locks: Electronic locks that can be locked or unlocked remotely and can provide access codes for guests.
- Home Entertainment: Audio and video systems that can be controlled through a central hub or smartphone app, including smart TVs, speakers, and streaming devices.
- Voice Assistants: Devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home that use voice recognition to control various aspects of the home.
- Smart Sensors: Sensors for monitoring factors like humidity, air quality, and water leaks, providing alerts and automation triggers.
- Automated Window Treatments: Window blinds or curtains that can be opened or closed remotely or automatically based on time or sunlight.
- Smart Irrigation: Systems that control lawn and garden watering based on weather conditions and moisture levels.
- Energy Management: Tools to monitor and optimize energy consumption, including solar panels and energy-efficient appliances.
- Home Automation Hubs: Centralized control hubs or apps that allow homeowners to manage and coordinate smart devices and systems from a single interface.
- Remote Monitoring: The ability to monitor and control the home’s status and security remotely, typically through a smartphone app.
- Interconnectivity: Devices and systems that can work together and trigger actions based on specific conditions or user preferences.
The goal of a smart home is to enhance convenience, energy efficiency, security, and overall quality of life for its occupants by offering greater control and automation of various household functions. These homes are designed to adapt to the needs and preferences of the residents while also potentially reducing energy consumption and improving safety.