Gone are the days of loud manual timers to control your lights, coming home to a cold house due to the heating not being on, and having no idea who is at your front door. Smart technology has a solution for all of this with devices that link up, making your home a smart home.
Smart Lights
Are you ever lying in bed about to go to sleep and realise the kitchen light is still on? Or on holiday but want to give the illusion of someone still being home to deter burglars? Smart lighting solutions provide a simple and adaptable method of illuminating a space. With growing energy bills and a desire for a more “hands-free” lifestyle, smart lighting allows any house to be managed by a smartphone or tablet, with AI devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant also being supported. Smart lights may help save money on energy bills by promoting effective consumption, thanks to ever-evolving technology and LED integration. Schedules may be made for added security while you’re away from home, and if a light is left on by accident, it can be turned off instantly and remotely. Many of the smart lighting products include colour-changing capabilities, allowing you to simply reflect the atmosphere of a space with mood lighting. Smart lighting is just the start of making your home a smart home.
Smart Plugs
Everyone has experienced the worry of thinking they have left a device turned on that shouldn’t be once they’re an hour away from their house and can’t turn back, but now there is a solution. A smart plug connects to a smartphone, tablet, or suitable voice assistant to control an electrical device or appliance remotely, functioning as a conduit between the gadget and the power outlet. This means that gadgets can be switched on and off remotely with a simple spoken word or through your phone when you’re not at home. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including lighting and heating equipment, as well as ensuring that hair straighteners and curlers are turned off. Some smart electrical plugs also enable energy use monitoring, which can aid with bill reduction by identifying which gadgets use the most energy. Smart plugs are sometimes the forgotten hero of making your home smart but will certainly be a great addition to any home.
Smart Thermostat
Have you ever been out all day in the winter and wished you could come home to a nice warm house? Or wake up in the morning and wish your heating had been on for an hour before? Smart thermostats link your heating system to the internet, allowing you to manage the temperature from smart devices like smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Smart room thermostats can help you save money on your heating bills by allowing you to manage your heating remotely and only use the energy you require. Wi-Fi heating thermostats come with a number of functions, including geofencing technology, which records when you leave and enter your house and adjusts the temperature accordingly. Often considered the most beneficial element of a smart home, especially in terms of saving money, this is a great addition to any home, even those not going down the full smart home route.
Video Doorbells
A video doorbell is one of the best and most affordable home security systems available. It allows you to see who is on the other side of the door without having to open it. This decreases the likelihood of forced entry and adds other security features such as allowing you to speak to the person on the other side of the door before opening it, or through your phone if you’re out. Video doorbells may also be configured as an incorporated alarm system, triggering an alert to your phone when an unexpected visitor enters the premises. Pet sensors are increasingly being added to systems, allowing pets to pass through without activating alarms. If you’re not sure what sort of home security system would work best for you, you can get free, professional advice by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
Smart homes will make your life easier and more convenient, from increased security to money-saving techniques, there are several benefits to making your home smart such as the benefits discussed. Using a personal assistant to control the smart devices means they can also be used for more personal benefits such as reminding an elderly person to take their medicine. As the technology is evolving at a rapid speed, smart home technology is likely to continue to develop making everything more convenient for the end-user. Get ahead of the curve, and make your life easier as soon as possible.
