Have you heard of those houses where turning the lights on and off is done by a voice command? Do you wonder how some are able to adjust their AC temperature even if they are not at home? Is it really possible to check your home security cameras even when you are in a different city or country?
Various technological advancements through the years have drastically changed people’s lifestyles. They have made a lot of tasks easier, faster, and more convenient. From communications and transportation to healthcare and construction, they have contributed to the increase in efficiency levels and the quality of products and services.
One of the best things about the rise of the tech-driven and modern age is the smart home. So what is it exactly? How does it work? What are its benefits?
A quick introduction to a smart home
A smart home is a home setup that can elevate your day-to-day living. It allows anyone who has authorized access to automatically and remotely control appliances, devices, and gadgets included in the home network with the use of an internet connection and a mobile phone, tablet, or any other type of networked device. It can include lights, security systems, cooling and heating systems, and appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, and stoves. It can also be installed hardwired or wireless.
Components of a smart home
Depending on your needs, you can add your preferred appliances, devices, and gadgets to your smart home network. And, using your phone’s Android or Apple access control, you can make them do what you want them to do. Below are some examples of common smart home components:
Lights – You can control the different lighting fixtures in your living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and even outdoor spaces, such as the garage, porch, and patio, with just a few taps on your phone. As long as they are smart-capable and connected to your internet, you can switch them on and off at any time or ona set schedule even if you are not at home.
Heating and cooling – You might want to warm or cool your home before you arrive from work so that you do not have to be uncomfortable while waiting for the temperature to increase or decrease to a suitable level. With a smart system, you can make that happen. Through your phone’s Android or Apple access control,you can switch on your heater or air conditioner and set it to your desired temperature before you get home.
Security – Home security systems include CCTV cameras, motion sensors, automatic door locks, and more. If you have one set up at home, you can make it smart to let you watch live camera video feeds, capture videos or photos, view entry and exit logs, and more. Just go to your Android or Apple wallet access control to do these tasks. You can also enable notifications on your Android or Apple wallet access control to receive warnings and alerts of unauthorized access and other suspicious activities.
Benefits of a smart home
There are many good reasons why investing in a smart home is worth it. Below are examples of some of its key benefits:
Convenience – You do not have to be at home to be in control. Even if you are outside, you can switch on, adjust the settings, and switch off a number of appliances and systems. So, if you are already at work or in a different city or country and you forgot to turn off the lights or the AC, you can just use the app on your phone to do it remotely.
Cost-effective – Installing a smart home system is not cheap. However, if you look at it long-term, you can get significant savings. Because your appliances, devices, and gadgets at home can be used more efficiently, you can reduce your energy costs and increase your savings.
Safety – You might forget to lock your back door or leave a bedroom open one day, such as when you are going away for a week-long business trip, and that can increase the risk of a break-in. By installing a smart system, you can check that everything is locked securely to protect your belongings.
