Whether it’s something as simple as a connected light bulb to total home automation, making your home “smart” has its benefits.
It’s hard to live in today’s world without coming into contact with some sort of “smart” device. Devices you can control from miles away, ones you can talk to, and ones that talk back – it can seem a bit like science-fiction. But it’s just the Internet of Things (IoT), and that’s a key component of home automation and smart devices.
Home automation can control your connected devices from anywhere with the touch of a button or a voice command. And as this technology becomes more affordable and easier to use, there are some great ways to incorporate it into your current home or your next build.
Now you may be thinking: “I don’t need a camera that gives my dog treats when I’m not there or a device listening to everything I’m saying.” Those are valid points. But did you know one of the main motivators for people automating their homes is safety? Smart technology has the ability to make your life easier, but it can also help keep your home protected.
What are some of the benefits of home automation?
Save On Your Energy Bill
If making your home more sustainable is on your to-do list, smart devices like light bulbs, thermostats, and appliances can help with that. They can allow you to use less energy by powering down when they aren’t being used. You can also program thermostats to adapt to the weather and not run the A/C at full blast when you aren’t there. On the flip side of that, a smart thermostat will know when you’re headed home and can kick on the A/C to make sure you arrive at the perfectly cooled house–something that’s priceless during those Alabama summers.
Make Life Easier and Take Care of Mundane Chores
How easy would it be to turn off all the lights in your house at night with just a simple command? Never worry about leaving the oven on? Vacuuming the whole house while you run errands? Nowadays, there’s a smart device that can do just about anything for you. You just have to decide what makes the most sense for your home.
Checking In On Loved Ones
Everything from making sure your teenager gets home from school all right to looking after an older adult or keeping tabs on your pet who likes the garbage a little too much, it’s possible. With video monitoring, motion detection, cameras with speakers, and doors that lock and unlock from an app on your phone, you can feel like you’re at home even when you’re not.
Bring On the Entertainment
We’ve all seen the flashy commercials, but being able to queue up your favorite tunes or help to decide what movie to watch has its perks. You can even program lights to correspond with your mood, have it tell jokes to delight your guests, and chat with family and friends from anywhere.
Protect Everything Within Your Home
Smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, water leak monitors, and camera doorbells allow you to respond quickly to potential hazards. Smart home technology can be as simple as a WiFi-enabled outdoor camera up to an entire home security system. You’re able to get your family and belongings safe and sometimes even get a discount on your home owner’s insurance.
So, to answer the question of how smart your home should be, that’s up to your level of comfort and what makes sense for your house. You can always start small with a camera doorbell to keep track of your online deliveries or color-changing lights for your living room. And when you’re ready to feel like you’re living in the future, see how you can integrate this technology into a home that’s a custom build.
