What are the Advantages of Smart Home Automation?

There is no secret that technology advancements have impacted the contemporary workplace.

16:42 29 May 2017

There is no secret that technology advancements have impacted the contemporary workplace by automating most of the practices that were in the recent past done manually. For instance, hospitals have systems that are used to transport supplies from the stores to the various places where they are needed. This trend is now impacting our home lives through smart home automation.

 

Smart home automation systems allow homeowners to control various functions of their homes remotely. This can include things such as lighting, multimedia, heating, doors and windows. There are many advantages that smart homes give to their owners. Here is a list of the advantageous aspects of smart home automation.

 

Convenience

Imagine controlling the air-conditioning in your house without needing to stand up from your cozy couch? What about getting an inventory of the food you need to get from the grocery store from your refrigerator? Better still, how would you feel if you could switch off the security lighting in your backyard while still in your bed?

 

Well, with smart homes, these ideas are no longer so far-fetched. Smart homes give users remote access to virtually all functions of the house. Intercoms can allow you to communicate to your children and inform them that dinner is ready. You can also use a dedicated entertainment system to watch any movie or listen to any music that you prefer from your playlist.

 

Furthermore, you no longer have to worry if you forget to lock up or turn off your AC while at work or on vacation. Smart homes always have applications that you can install on your smartphone and have access to the various functions. 

 

You can therefore rest easy while on your vacation. Most smart homes are also coordinated with a solar battery to ensure that you still have this control even when there is a power blackout.

 

Enhanced Security

You will probably agree with me that most traditional homes are susceptible to burglary. The padlocks and locks that you mostly rely on can be picked easily using master keys by professional thieves. Some malicious individuals may also gain easy access to your house through the windows, which are easy to break.

 

Smart homes use a combination of technologies to enhance the security of your home. Security systems comprising of cameras, motion sensors, and an alarm system linked to the local police station or private security firm make it extremely difficult for intruders to gain access into your house.

 

Moreover, smart homes can also incorporate biometrics such as fingerprint readers, voice recognition technologies, and eyeball readers to restrict, authenticate, and grant access.

 

The windows of your smart house are also linked to the main security system and any attempt by an intruder to access the house through the windows will be reported immediately. The chances of arresting an intruder are also high since they are likely to be captured by the cameras installed.

 

With such security systems in place, any attempt by an intruder to gain access to your home is denied. There is no security system in the world that is completely foolproof, but trust me, smart homes come with a more sophisticated security system and the chances a burglary will fail are higher than in traditional homes.

 

Efficiency

Efficient and sustainable energy is the order of the day, and smart homes are one of the most energy-efficient advancements of the 21st century. For instance, lights that are not needed can be turned off automatically and security lights can detect natural lighting and switch off accordingly after sunrise. Moreover, heating systems can also turn off immediately when temperatures are warm enough and only switch back on when the temperatures drop beyond a predetermined preferred temperature.

 

Such measures ensure that energy is consumed efficiently and only when needed. Using appliances that consume as little energy as possible also counts towards lowering energy consumption and increasing efficiency. For instance, the use of LED lighting can reduce energy consumption by 15%. Another study, commissioned by the US Environmental Protection Agency, indicated that the use of automated thermostats to control the heating of your smart home can lead to energy savings of between 10 and 30 percent annually.

 

By incorporating such gadgets, smart homes are much more energy efficient when compared to the manual measures that you may take living in a traditional home. Additionally, smart homes can incorporate alternative energy sources such as solar and wind energy to supplement your energy needs.

 

This ensures that you will save a lot on energy bills and use the savings for other expenses. In addition, the future global trends indicate a shift to greener technologies. A smart home is a greener alternative to a traditional home.

 

Reselling

If you have found a better job in another state or need to move closer to family and need to sell your smart home, the chances of you getting a buyer are higher. There are many marketing points that you can give for your smart home. You can use its energy efficiency to get buyers interested. Alternatively, you can mention the more elaborate security system as a selling point.

 

In short, you will have a lot of advantages when selling your smart home compared to a traditional house. The convenience that automation accords a homeowner can be really appealing, especially for the millennial generation that is tech-savvy and has the finances to invest in a decent home.

 

Conclusion

Automation at home has given rise to the smart home. With this automation comes a lot of advantages for homeowners. It is very convenient to simply give a voice command and your lights are turned on or off, or the front door is shut. In addition, smart homes have revamped security systems comprising of biometrics, cameras, and an alarm system that automatically alerts security agencies. Maintaining your smart home will also save you a couple of dollars at the end of every year. Smart homes are highly energy-efficient. Lights that are not being used are automatically switched off and the thermostat is also controlled automatically based on the atmospheric temperatures. It is also much easier to resell your smart home.

 

 

If you are thinking of buying a house, it is best that you go for a fully or partially integrated smart home.