Smart home automation refers to a system that integrates many different connected devices and allows homeowners to control them remotely or through voice command. The devices can include anything from a security system to a video doorbell to smart lights or thermostats. Smart home technology can save homeowners money by allowing them to use their appliances more efficiently or by automating their settings and usage, which reduces energy costs.
Once the stuff of George Jetson’s futuristic home or Bill Gates’ $100 million mansion, smart technology is becoming more common in homes around the world. In fact, there are now a variety of bundled smart home kits available that contain all the components needed to begin a smart home project. Smart home automation has become a mainstream consumer trend, and more established tech companies are entering the space with products that offer even more sophisticated capabilities.
One of the biggest benefits of a smart home is convenience. Being able to turn on your kitchen lights with just a voice command, set the house to match your favorite sunset or sunrise or have all your lighting change to a warmer color at bedtime is just some of the ways you can make life easier with smart home devices.
Another benefit is safety. Smart sensors can alert you when a window or door is opened, and they may also trigger other devices, like turning on the security alarm or sounding an audible siren. In addition, smart security systems can give you a live video feed of who is at the front door or allow you to greet visitors via a smart video doorbell.
Some smart home devices have a built-in intelligence that learns about your habits over time and can automatically adjust their functions to match those patterns. For example, you can have your smart lights automatically dim and shift to a warm color at sunset or turn off when everybody leaves the house, thanks to geofencing technology. Or, you can have them turn on and off with your routines in the morning, such as a soft glow for a sunrise or a gradual shift to a brighter color at a specified time for a morning wake up call (using the Philips SmartSleep or Casper Glow Lights).
Smart home devices can also be integrated into a larger ecosystem using If This Then That (IFTTT) functionality, which lets you connect multiple services and gadgets to each other. IFTTT can let you create a chain of rules that start when something changes, like setting your music player to play your favorite song when it’s time for bed or turning on the lights when your home office gets dark.
When shopping for a smart home system, look for one that has wireless connectivity. This is essential for a reliable connection between all your devices and gives you the flexibility to add more as you go. You should also look for a hub that supports the most common smart home protocols, such as ZigBee HA 1.2, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and IR.
