As we move into the future, more and more homes are becoming equipped with smart technology. From door locks to thermostats, these devices are designed to make our lives easier and more efficient. But if you’re not familiar with how they work, it can all seem a bit overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to understanding smart homes. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the basics of how a smart home works and what you can do with them.
What is Smart Home?
A smart home is any home that is equipped with smart technology. This technology is designed to make your everyday life easier. Through the use of internet-connected devices, your smart home will be able to control aspects of your home, such as lighting, heating and security.
And it doesn’t stop there. Smart home technology can also integrate with your phone, allowing you to control your smart home devices even when you’re not at home.
How Does Smart Home Technology Work: Smart Home Explained!
Smart home technology actually works by using a small device called a hub. Most smart homes have a central hub that connects to all of the different devices in the home.
Smart home hub could also be something like Amazon Echo or Google Home, which act as voice-controlled assistants that can carry out tasks like turning on lights or setting the thermostat.
The different devices in your smart home usually connect to the hub by Wi-Fi. This, therefore, means that the hub itself needs to be hooked up to your router, which allows it to access the internet.
Once all of your smart home devices are hooked up to the hub, you can control them through any smart device – whether that’s your phone, tablet or computer.
How Do You Control Devices in A Smart Home?
To Control Devices in A Smart Home, You Need:
A Central Control Panel – This is typically a tablet or smartphone, but can also be a personal computer. The central control panel is what you use to issue commands to the various devices in your smart home.
An Automation Hub – The automation hub is the brains of the operation. It connects wirelessly to all of your devices and allows you to control them via the central control panel.
Connected Devices – These are the devices that will be controlled via the automation hub. This can be anything from a thermostat to a robot vacuum.
Which Smart Home Devices Should You Buy?
The reality is, any device that is connected to the internet could become a smart home device. You can buy smart light bulbs, smart locks, smart security cameras. The list goes on. However, for the purpose of this article, we will focus on the devices that are essential to a smart home.
So, without further ado, here are some of the main devices you should have in your smart home:
1. The Hub
The hub is the central controller of all devices in the smart home. It is what allows you to control your smart home devices and use them to automate things like your lights, heating and security system.
There are many different smart home hubs out there, but the most popular are Google Home, Amazon Echo, Samsung SmartThings and Apple HomeKit.
It’s pretty difficult to go wrong with any of these hubs. They’re all really easy to use, and they all have a huge range of compatible devices.
2. Smart Locks
If you’ve ever been locked out of your house, then you know how handy and life-changing this device can be. Smart locks are exactly what they sound like – locks that are smart, and connected to the internet. They allow you to unlock and lock the door just by using your smartphone.
They let you prevent burglars from breaking into your home and stealing your things.
The way they work is that they replace your existing lock, and simply connect to your hub. Then, you just use your smartphone to unlock the door and unlock it remotely.
The best smart locks are made by Yale and SCHLAGE. Both of these devices have locks that you can unlock with a fingerprint, or with your smartphone.
3. Smart Security Cameras
Security cameras are one of the most important smart home devices you can own. They are always connected to your home Wi-Fi, so you can always keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world.
There are so many great smart security cameras out there these days that you really can’t go wrong. Some of the best ones are from Blink and Arlo. Both have great cameras that have really good picture quality and are available at affordable price points.
4. Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are probably the most widely used and cheapest smart home device. There are lots of different smart light bulbs out there, but the most popular are Hue and Lifx.
These are the same light bulbs that you would normally buy, with the only difference being the inclusion of wi-fi and a control device.
Smart light bulbs can be controlled through the use of a smartphone app, or with a voice-controlled device like an Amazon Echo or Google home. With just a click of a button, you can adjust the hue, brightness and color of your light bulbs.
5. A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is one of the most popular smart devices. It helps to control the temperature of your home at all times. Traditionally, you could just rely on your heating system to keep the house warm or cool.
However, a thermostat allows you to control the temperature of the house 24/7.
Smart home technology has the potential to make your home safer, more secure and more comfortable. No matter what smart device you choose, you can rest assured knowing that it will help you to save money and make your life better.
Other devices in the home might include things like smart light bulbs, door locks, security cameras, and more.
You could start with a smart home thermostat, which uses sensors to control the temperature in your home. With a smart thermostat, you can use a smartphone app to control your heating and air conditioning system, or you could pre-program your thermostat to turn on before you even get home.
Benefits of Smart Home?
If you’re thinking of installing a smart home, it’s likely that you’re looking to solve a few problems. Although they cost a bit more upfront, there are tons of benefits on offer here. Here are three major benefits that you can reap from investing in a smart home:
1: Security – Home security is a huge market for smart home technology. Through integration with your sensors and cameras, you’ll be able to keep an eye on things from anywhere in the world.
2: Control – Part of the appeal of smart technology has always been the level of control it can bring to your home. Control your heating and lighting from the comfort of your bed!
3: Saving Money – No one likes to waste money, and smart home technology allows you to save money by turning off appliances when you’re not using them. Additionally, it can help you to monitor your energy usage, and identify areas in your home where you can reduce your costs.
Final Thoughts:
The concept of a smart home is still relatively new, but it’s quickly gaining popularity as people realize all the ways a smart home can make their lives easier. We hope now you know how does a smart home work and what are its features and benefits.
We have plenty of other articles to guide you more on the topic. Check these awesome smart home automation ideas to get inspired!
