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Smart Home Systems: Which One to Choose?
Smart homes are fast becoming the new trend, and they are with the hype.
13:05 26 October 2021
A smart home is a home that is set up for maximum convenience where you have smart devices that can be automatically controlled from anywhere within the home. For example, you could be in your bedroom and control any appliance in your living room. These appliances are remotely controlled via our smartphones in case there is an Internet connection. It shows us that our smartphones are really powerful; they can do more than just surf the Internet for new memes or a reload bonus.
What is a Smart Home?
Homeowners can conveniently control devices like lights, home theatres, thermostats, etc. A smart home can be implemented via hardwired or wireless systems, but either way, they require an Internet connection. Smart home technology is also known as home automation, and it guarantees homeowners maximum comfort, high security, energy efficiency, and maximum convenience. Smart home systems work together, and they automate their actions based on the preference of the homeowners.
How do Smart Home Systems Work?
Smart home systems are often linked to each other and can be accessed and operated via one central point: a smartphone, game console, laptop, or tab. In addition, the appliances at home are regulated through a home automation system. This system can control appliances like television, home theatre, lights, thermostats, even door locks, and many others. Moreover, the home automation system permits homeowners to create time-based schedules for some changes to take effect even when they are not home.
The appliances that the home automation system can control are self-learning which makes them able to quickly learn the user’s schedules and preferences and make the possible adjustments necessary. These systems can be programmed to alert the fire department or the police of any indication of imminent danger. At the same time, some are designed to alert homeowners if any weird motions are detected while they are away.
Smart Home Systems You Can Choose From
Technology has grown so broad that it has penetrated every aspect of life, even our domestic living space. For example, almost every appliance in our home has an extra option, and more are being created. Read about some convenient smart home systems you can choose from below.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting is super convenient to use. It is easily customizable, and it can function well without a central hub. Smart lighting can regulate its current based on the brightness of the day. They can also detect when someone is in the room and adjust to the person’s preference. In addition, some smart lighting can be voice-controlled, eliminating the need to click.
Smart Television
When connected to the Internet, smart televisions can be used to access content through different applications. For example, some smart TVs permit gesture recognition and voice recognition. You can listen to music, have on-demand television or even surf the web. Yes, you can literally play free pokies online with your smart TV.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are super comfortable, quite energy-saving and cost-saving too. You can set your cooling and heating program, and the device will simply follow suit. In addition to being easily accessible, smart thermostats can detect when people are in the house and when they aren't. It means that they only operate when people are home. These devices can master homeowners’ routines and automatically modify the settings to provide the desired output and comfort. They also report energy usage and have some reminders that homeowners will find super helpful.
Smart Locks
These locks automatically open the door when homeowners are around and lock them after they leave. In addition, smart locks are programmed to know the residents of a home, thereby denying access to strangers. They can also detect if the homeowners are close by to open the door before people get to the front of the door. Other systems are:
- Smart security cameras;
- Smart speakers;
- Smart multi-room audio systems;
- Smart irrigation;
- Household system monitors;
- Smart carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Benefits of Smart Home Systems
The most important benefit of smart home systems is that they permit homeowners to monitor their homes remotely. When you can monitor your home from anywhere, it provides a sense of peace, and your mind will be at rest. In addition, smart home systems are highly flexible to use and can adapt to user preferences, leading to high convenience. You can program your home to whatever you want it to be, and it will be so.
Smart home systems can help eliminate the need to assist your elderly family member because they can provide monitoring which helps people remain at home comfortably. In addition, they can perform some functions on their own with minimum to zero effort. Home systems save costs and improve efficiency because they permit homeowners to use their appliances more effectively in the long run. For example, if you perhaps forgot the air-conditioner on or you were in haste and didn't turn off the coffee maker, you have nothing to worry about because you can remotely turn them off.
Factors to Consider When Selecting
Before you invest in a home system, you must know what you want and if it meets your needs. You need to think about the following aspects:
- Does this system have good network security?
- What is the system’s connectivity type?
- What is the app usability of the system?
- What is the cost of the system, and does it tally with my budget?
- Does this system come with constant professional monitoring?
- How smart is the system?
The above questions will help you put your smart home system needs and preferences into perspective.
Major Challenges Facing Smart Home Systems
One of the biggest drawbacks of smart home systems is the cost of implementing them. The cost of implementing these systems can go as high as tens of thousands of dollars. It is a huge price to pay, and although the systems will come in handy, not everyone has that amount to spare.
Another major drawback is security issues. No technology is perfect, and some security risks and code bugs continue to pose a problem for both users and manufacturers of this technology. However, homeowners can mitigate security risks by connecting to only trusted networks, using strong passwords and encryptions when available. Smart home systems are a great addition to technology and our homes. You can upgrade your home to a smart home, but before selecting the system, be sure that it suits your needs.