Smart home technology is a catch-all term that refers to devices in the home that can connect to the internet. In many cases these clever electronic devices can function independently, without the need for any human interaction whatsoever. Smart devices can controlled using a users voice. Amazon Alexa and Google Voice are good examples of this type of technology.
What is smart home automation?
Smart home automation is a way of controlling appliances around the home from a single device. It’s common to use a smartphone app or a computer. We use appliances in the home everyday such as dishwashers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners to help us with our domestic chores. We have come to rely on technology in the home as it allows us more leisure time to do the things we prefer, especially in our busy lives. Home automation connects all of your devices together.
Devices in the home can be centralised – adding security, control and ultimately create a better environment for you & your family to live in. A fully automated smart home offers benefits for people living with disabilities and also adds a higher level of security than basic surveillance equipment.
People who can benefit the most;
- Disabled living market
- Security conscious homeowners
- Environmentally conscience homeowners
- Luxury home owners
Where to begin
A good Wi-Fi connection is all that you need to get started. The home has many Wi-Fi enabled devices. These include doorbells, security locks, security cameras, intercoms, electric meters, lighting, televisions, even your central heating system. It’s not just computers and mobile phones that can connect to the internet anymore! A network of smart devices can create a home automation system.
GSM Systems
An alternative way of connecting your smart devices together is to use a GSM System. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. It is a system that allows the user to make use of their mobile phone as a method of communicating with smart devices such as heating, lighting and actuators. GSM technology is especially useful in situations where the internet connection is very poor or not available.
Smart Speakers
The easiest way to integrate your smart devices is to connect them is through a smart speaker. These internet enabled devices are fitted with a microphone & speaker and are inexpensive. For under £100 you can usually pick up a brand new smart speaker. The user can make commands to the speaker simply be using their voice. It only connects to the internet to carry out the task once the command has been received. This can be as simple as playing a song or relaying information back to the user. There are many devices available but 3 of the most well known brands of speaker are Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini and Apple HomePod. They all vary in price but each have the ability to control any internet enabled device such as lighting, security systems, entertainment systems and even electric window blinds – all from the comfort of your chair.
Home Security
One of the biggest benefits of the smart home is home security. A computer can network with many security appliances. Cameras can monitor visitors, in real time, coming to a property. Home surveillance is a very useful feature when you are away from home and you want to see who is at the door. Many smart doorbells such as Ring are fitted with a sensor so that the camera is automatically activated when someone is at your door and sends an alert to your mobile phone in real time. Other device that can help with home security are intercoms such as video phones that are fitted with cameras, so that you can see who is at your door before you answer it.
Control Heating and Save Energy
Another great benefit of home automation is to have a smart thermostat added to your heating system. Devices such as Nest can connect to the internet to monitor, control and regulate the temperature of your property, even when you are out and about. You can use your phone to monitor how much energy your home is using at any time. These devices are not cheap but they can save you money in the long term.
Bringing apps and devices together
There is an excellent piece of software that brings together all of your smart devices and apps called IFTTT (If This Then That). This cloud based system is freely available with an app available for both Apple and Android devices. The program lets you pair up different apps and devices to work together seamlessly.
IFTTT uses basic commands called ‘menus’. When linked together they carry out tasks. IFTTT comes with some popular menus for you to use. You can also set up your own menus. For instance, you might have a taxi booked to take you to the airport. You could set up a menu that makes your lights dim when the taxi has arrived. You could even set it to automatically turn off your lights and heating as soon as you leave the house.
Smart homes are for everyone
There is a misconception that home automation is just a gimmick, that it’s only for mega rich luxury home owners. Everyone can benefit from smart home technology including the young, old and disabled.
Blinds that close automatically, self regulating heating and lights that can detect when it is dark outside sounds luxurious, but are perhaps unnecessary. Many people would prefer to do a lot of these tasks by themselves. However, some people are not quite as mobile in the home as they would like to be. Elderly and disabled people might not be able to get to the front door as quickly as everyone else. A smart device could act as a virtual assistant. For instance it could be programmed to alert the user when someone is knocking at the door. This type of set up would be highly beneficial to people with disabled needs.
To find out more about home automation please get in touch, and we will try and help.