According to a 2019 study, almost 69% of U.S. households own at least one smart home device. Home automation, although, has become quite common with the general public, is still considered somewhat of a mystery due to the complex insinuation it comes along with.
In this article, you will learn everything there is to learn about Smart Home Technology. In addition to defining its various aspects, we will discuss several smart home products for you to get started with the smart home of your dreams.
What is Smart Home Technology?
Smart Home Technology, also referred to as Home Automation, is the incorporation of technology in an attempt to automate your home. It enables you to take charge of almost every part of your home through the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology surfaced with the invention of a thermostat and can be recognized as one of the fastest and biggest growing markets in the tech industry.
Smart Home Technology is being used for controlling appliances, monitoring energy consumption, personal assistant chores, healthcare, home security, and much more.
How does it work?
There is no definitive concept of how Smart Home Technology works as it varies from supplier to supplier (company and country-wise), and the type of automation. Here, we will discuss two of the most common Home Automation systems:
Central Control
It is a Home Automation system that controls every device in your home from a single source. This type of technology is very useful for large scale businesses, security systems, and upscale residences.
Central control systems are, commonly, placed in a wall-mounted terminal and can be accessed by a smartphone, computer, tablet, or remote control device.
App-Based
It is a Home Automation system that uses your home network for cloud-based communication. When it comes to the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud technology is an essential aspect. Most of the app-based smart devices work when connected with your home network through Wi-Fi. These devices can be accessed through applications on your smart devices.
Needless to say, the internet is as important for smart home devices as oxygen is for humans and when something is conditional for your existence, it should be the best. If you are thinking to automate your home, your first step should be signing up with a reliable and fast internet connection that can work through all these devices without lagging. Talking about these attributes, we have to mention Spectrum Internet that provides lightning-fast internet speed with no contract policy and if you are interested, you should check out its packages at https://www.localcabledeals.com/Spectrum/Packages.
Some app-based smart home technology allows you to connect with devices through Bluetooth, as well.
How to get started with Smart Home Technology?
Almost everyone wants to be benefitted from the amazing Home Automation technology but where to start is the main question. For your reference, we have formulated a simple four-step procedure on how to get started with this technology.
First Step: Understand your tech level and start with the devices that match your skills as to not mess anything up.
Second Step: Smart home devices vary in features and hence in price as well. You need to determine your spending limit so that you don’t get overwhelmed later on.
Third Step: Everyone has different needs and so you need to select a smart home device that compliments your lifestyle in the best way.
Fourth Step: Before purchasing any smart home item, research thoroughly and it is always best to read buyers’ guides, customer opinions, and reviews.
Smart Homes
Technology is flourishing so rapidly that we cannot imagine what our lives would be like in 2030. For today’s generation, all those science fiction movies might just be fiction. In a way, we are living our lives like America’s beloved cartoon family ‘The Jetsons’.
Smart Home Basics
In this section, we will discuss the basics of Smart Homes so that you get an idea of what devices suit your needs the most.
Smart Speakers
As per NPR and Edison Research (2018), one in six Americans owns a smart speaker. Smart speakers, unlike regular speakers, can search the web, share news brief with you, work as a personal assistant, tell you the weather in addition to just playing music. Alexa and Siri are the two most commonly used smart speakers.
Smart TVs
With or without cable, Smart TV ensures that you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies at any time. It is a TV that works with the internet and includes streaming applications like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Smart Plugs
A smart plug can convert any object into a smart device. You just need to plug them into a regular plug and then control anything powered by them, from your smart device.
Smart Lights
Smart light bulbs can be switched on and off by the push of a button. They also offer functions like dim or soft light.
Smart doorbells
Smart doorbells are supported with visual aids that can show you who is on the door and have embedded intercom for you to inquire from your smart app.
Robot Vacuums
Like Rosie from The Jetsons, robot vacuums are the best cleaners. These can be accessed and controlled by other smart devices like smart speakers.
Smart Kitchens
A smart chef is still a far-fetched idea but some smart kitchen devices can brighten up your cooking.
Smart Refrigerators
Varying from brand to brand, smart refrigerators differ in features although they can alert you when the door is left open, advise what products need to be bought, and tell you how often they are being accessed.
Smart Ovens
Smart ovens let you control your temperature and time settings from anywhere. Some even smarter versions can be controlled through Alexa, as well.
Smart Dishwashers
Smart dishwashers are controlled through apps and you can monitor the status of the wash, get notified when the load is done, and start or stop a load as well. If necessary, these devices are generally programmed to run diagnostics too.
Smart Laundry
Like smart dishwashers, smart washers and dryers can be controlled through apps to check status, start or stop the load, and receive notifications about your diagnostics.
Smart Dishes
This is the best smart kitchen appliance for health-conscious people. Smart forks and plates monitor your eating habits, calorie intake, and help you keep track of what you are eating. But, they are to be hand cleaned and you should not put them through your smart dishwasher.
Smart coffee Pot
Smart coffee pots can be asked to brew from your smartphone.
Smart Trashcans
Smart trash cans are commonly odor controlled and touch-free. Most modern smart trash cans are equipped with a technology that can scan barcodes of items you throw away and adds them to the grocery list on your smartphone.
Smart Bathrooms
Enabling bathrooms to be a better version of comfort, Smart Bathroom Technology is a paving path to an accessible luxury lifestyle.
Smart Toilets
Offering basic functions like touch-free flush, automated bowl cleaning, deodorizer, and sensory lid, smart toilers have advanced features as well, including heated seats and an in-built bidet.
Smart Showers
These smart showers can be turned on and off from anywhere and are temperature controlled as well. Some might even have a TV in them too.
Advanced Vanity Setup
With this technology, you can have smart mirrors that can activate lighting with touch. You can also buy a heating drawer for towels.
More smart Options
Smart Home Technology is also making nurseries and pet care easy. There are plenty of other smart home devices from smart rocking to smart health monitors, smart mats to smart pet doors and smart feeders, smart beds to smart pools; even smart floors have been introduced in the market. For home security, smart devices like automated sensors, automatic locks, alarm systems, and Fire, CO, and Flooding sensors have enhanced the quality of life altogether.
