For the last decade, smartphones have revolutionized the way we live our lives by giving us powerful computers in the palms of our hands. They make our lives easier in almost every way, and each leap forward in technology only enhances their capabilities. Now it’s time to take the same progressive philosophy toward other industries, and the benefits smart home technology are too apparent to ignore.
By using seamlessly integrated platforms and technological systems in your home and on your phone, smart homes are the new trend in the digital revolution. If you’ve been waiting on the sideline, then now is the time to start taking advantage of all the possibilities of home automation.
There are tons of advantages to converting to a Smart Home. From analytics and usage information to being able to control almost every function of your home remotely, it’s tough to narrow all the benefits down. But the bottom line is that no matter what your reasons are for converting to a smart home, you will be happily surprised by all the additional advantages that you will find along the way.
To help you make the jump, we’ve put together a comprehensive look at five of the most common benefits of smart home technology. Also, learn how you can get off the sidelines and jump into this brave new world.
#5: Platform Interconnectivity
Whether it’s your security system, speakers, lighting, or your Smart TV, linking different kinds of products across your home can save you time, money, and energy. Not to mention the peace of mind that it can bring you by just knowing that all these systems are constantly communicating with each other.
Nearly all of the amazing features that you will gain by connecting your devices are accessible on your smartphone. This means you have the power to control the various systems of your home anytime, anywhere.
Platform interconnectivity will allow you to adjust your thermostat, review security camera footage, program lights, and much more. Want to turn the air conditioner on a few minutes before you get home? How about flipping on the backyard lights if you hear a noise without having to leave your bedroom? All of this is possible, plus so much more, with proper smart home interconnectivity.
Now let’s break down some of the most common and widely used features and benefits of a smart home system.
Remote Monitoring
As mentioned above, remote monitoring is a big advantage of owning a smart home. Keep in mind that goes beyond just the ability to review security camera footage from your office. (Although that is pretty cool!)
Remote monitoring includes any kind of real-time data viewing that you are able to do using either a smartphone, desktop, or tablet. This includes monitoring everything from camera footage and room temperatures to detecting sounds and carbon monoxide levels.
It’s truly difficult to quantify just how much comfort this will bring to you. Simply put, the ability to monitor all of the different systems in your home in real-time is an invaluable resource. It is also one of the most amazing aspects of owning a smart home.
User Customization
Platform interconnectivity also brings with it a high level of user customization, which is another benefit of smart home technology. Depending on the device, smart products can usually match just about any user preference using a variety of sliders and customization tools.
A smart thermostat, for example, can modify the temperature in your home based on local weather conditions. Smart Sprinkler systems, meanwhile, can be programmed to distinguish different zones across the property. You can customize their behavior based on the amount of sunlight a specific area gets or doesn’t get.
This kind of customization can ensure a more effective watering schedule, which will help keep your plants alive and keep money in your pocket.
#4: Safety and Security
Safety is one of the main benefits of smart home technology. Many popular smart home devices such as security cameras and home alarms can instantly heighten the security of your home. They provide a visible and easy-to-access security blanket over your space.
Through the interconnected nature of smart home tech, you can easily and smartly secure your home or property using things like wireless cameras, alarm systems, motion sensors, Wi-Fi enabled door locks and video doorbells. It might sound like a lot at first, so let’s take a closer look at each of these options one-by-one.
Wireless Security Cameras
Wireless cameras are a great first option when it comes to smart home security. Easy-to-install and even easier to operate using your smartphone, great products like the Arlo Pro Weatherproofed Security Camera System will make it easy for you to monitor your property from anywhere, anytime!
Alarm Systems
DIY Wireless alarm systems are a terrific and cost-effective choice for added home security. Buying a DIY system like these ones from Skylink will avoid any professional installation fees. This will afford you the flexibility to add or remove sensors as you wish.
Professionally installed systems, on the other hand, can be installed with a variety of different communication systems that make them hack-resistant. You can choose from a wide range of different options including glass-break sensors as well as local sound and light alarms.
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors have come a long way since the ultrasonic models of the 1970s. If you’re old enough to remember, they were plagued by false positives and dead zones that drove their users nuts. Today’s modern sensors system used an advanced passive infrared (PIR) system that has become the industry standard for motion detection.
Indoor motion sensors are generally used for motion-activated lighting. This can be a great security feature as well as a way to save money on electricity. Outdoor sensors, on the other hand, are more specifically geared towards security and are usually used in conjunction with security camera systems.
If you’re connecting your sensors to a light, then just make sure to stay on top of your sensitivity levels so that you aren’t constantly bathing your property in light. The right system should be weatherproofed and include cross-zoning to prevent false-positive activation.
Optex has been a leader in the space for years, and with products like the Optex FTN-ST, their motion sensors are known to be extremely effective and durable.
Wi-Fi Enabled Door Locks
Smart door locks can be a key component of any smart home security system, adding a complex level of security that also allows you to use keyless entry. Using a combination of different communication systems such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Z-Wave, smart locks can easily communicate and be controlled using platform apps like Wink.
Video Doorbells
Smart video doorbells are a simple and effective way to be alerted when somebody approaches your door. You’ll get an automatic alert straight to your smartphone or computer, along with a live stream video. And the best part? You can use your phone to communicate with your visitor with two-way audio from anywhere. Ring Doorbells have been the market leader for quite a while now. Although some advanced smart home security cameras are now including two-way audio features, their functionality doesn’t quite match that of Ring. For more information, click here for a full write up on the best smart video doorbells.
#3 Energy Efficiency
While many benefits of a smart home include safety and compatibility, one of the largest advantages is that it allows appliances to work with the least amount of energy needed. Whether it’s LED light bulbs that replace low-efficiency incandescent bulbs, or induction cook-top stoves that are smart enough to heat only when a metal pan is placed on top of it, saving money using smart tech has never been easier.
Besides electricity, the other thing that smart home technology can help you save on is water usage. Smart sprinkler systems, pool pumps, and new faucet technology are just a few of the ways to save water with smart home technology.
#2 Savings
While “going green” and being more efficient with your utilities is great. However, one of the main reasons for people converting to a smart home is to save money. Terrific control features like timers and usage monitors have revolutionized the way you use energy across your devices. Intelligent occupation detectors will make sure those devices are only active when users are present.
You can save money with products like a smart thermostat that can control and program the temperature of your home room-by-room. There are even smart toilets like the Toto Washlet that use a fraction of the water per flush while not compromising on power. With products like these, saving money has never been easier and has become one of the main benefits of a smart home.
Of all the possible money-saving smart home improvements, installing a smart thermostat like the Ecobee 3 will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Staying in control of the temperature in your home, even when you’re out, allows you to almost completely eliminate energy waste.
You never need to heat or cool unoccupied rooms and there’s no chance of forgetting to turn the AC off and leaving it running all day while you’re out. But don’t just take our word for it.
EPA Study
A recent study performed by the Environment Protection Agency found that users of smart home technology for thermostat control alone saved anywhere from 10%-30% on their energy bills. Over the course of a few years that can add up to serious savings. That’s not to mention the variety of credits and incentive programs available from utility companies and government agencies.
If you’re looking to compound your savings and get an even bigger break, the addition of solar power can save you more. If you live in an area that gets sun year-round, you can even add money to your account by supplying unused power back to the grid.
Not only do these improvements save on your bill payments, the resale value of your home increases with each addition of these technologies. It may be a chunk of change upfront, but these additions will also soon pay for themselves.
#1 The Future
All the amazing benefits we’ve covered should be enough to convince you that it’s time to start converting your house into a smart home. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a fad or a technology trend that will soon go away. The advent of smart technology and its seamless integration is leading us towards a brave new world of home automation and control.
There will soon be a time when the majority of homes are built with these features standard. In many markets, realtors will insist on retrofitting homes on the market with smart technology in order to remain competitive.
Smart home developments are coming so rapidly that it has become impossible to write them off as a passing trend. Smart technology is packed with DIY platform interconnectivity along with real-time monitoring and analytics. These are providing users with information on their homes and the ability to program and control functions that we never even knew about.
Meanwhile, amazing advances in safety, security, and energy efficiency are cutting down usage numbers and saving us money in the process.
The Bottom Line
When you think about energy efficiency, safety, and utility cost, there’s really no comparing a standard home to a smart home that is loaded with smart technology and appliances.
Sure, many of the devices come with price tags that might make you think twice. However, before each purchase, you should do the math and ask yourself whether or not it is a good investment. Don’t only think about your monthly bills, but also for the long-term value of your home.
If you’re still looking for more information on the benefits of a smart home, be sure to check out Smarthome and browse all our new and innovative products.
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Source: All Things Home Automation