A smart home is a convenient place to live where appliances and devices can be controlled automatically from anywhere with an Internet connection and a cell phone or other device that can connect to a network.
The devices in a smart home are connected to each other through the Internet. This lets the user control things like home security, temperature, lighting, and home theater from wherever.
In a Nutshell
- Smart houses let users remotely control security, heating, lighting, and home entertainment.
- Internet connected smart home gadgets can be controlled from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or game console.
- Smart appliances adapt to the owner’s schedule.
- Smart homes save energy and money.
- Safety and efficiency drive smart home technology adoption.
- Smart homes can have wireless, wired, or both technologies.
- Wireless systems are easy to install but may need home broadband and WiFi coverage.
- Wired systems are more reliable and boost home value.
- Depending on the technology and home size, installing a smart home system might cost several thousand to tens of thousands.
- Smart home gadgets regulate lights, audio, and heating.
- Automatic blinds, electronic shades, and WiFi enabled smart light bulbs can display statistics on your phone.
How Smart Homes Work
The devices in a smart home are connected to each other and can be accessed through a central point: a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or game console. Door locks, televisions, thermostats, home monitors, cameras, lights, and even household appliances such as the refrigerator can be controlled through a home automation system. The system is installed on a mobile or other networked device, and the user can set times for certain changes to happen.
Smart appliances have self learning capabilities to learn the homeowner’s schedule and make the necessary adjustments. Smart homes with lighting control can reduce electricity consumption and save energy costs.
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Some home automation systems alert the homeowner if motion is detected in the house when he or she is absent, while others can call the authorities (police or firefighters) in case of imminent situations.Once connected, services such as a smart doorbell, a smart security system and smart appliances are part of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, a network of physical objects that can collect and share electronic information.Safety and efficiency are the main reasons for the increased use of smart home technology.
Intelligent Home Systems
Smart homes can have wireless or wired systems, or both. Wireless systems are easier to install. Installing a wireless home automation system with features such as smart lighting, climate control, and security can cost several thousand dollars, making it very economical.
The downside of wireless systems is that you will likely need strong WiFi coverage and broadband service throughout your home. This may require you to invest in range extenders or wired wireless access points. Wireless smart home systems are often more appropriate for smaller or rental homes due to their smaller size.
The smart home will not just be a collection of devices, but an ambient experience that makes life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.
Ben Kaufman
In contrast, hardwired systems are considered more reliable and are often more difficult to hack. A hardwired system can increase the resale value of a home. In addition, hardwired smart home systems can be easily expanded, so they are often the default method when designing new construction or undergoing a major renovation.
There is one drawback: it is quite expensive. Installing a fancy smart system and cabling can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, space must be made available for network hardware equipment, including ethernet cables.
How to Create a Smart Home
Heating
Smart home products now allow greater control over heating devices, including when products are turned on, turned off, and controlled. Smart products can have temperature or humidity sensors that turn them on or off automatically when certain conditions are met. This line of smart home innovations also extends to air conditioners.
Lighting
Often with the use of a cell phone, a tabletop device, or a product specific custom remote control, lighting products now enhance the capabilities of homeowners. Lights can be turned on and off, programmed, or changed according to the time of sunrise or sunset. Like more traditional products, lights can change based on motion. The smart bulbs can communicate over WiFi and display statistics, or metrics, on the phone.
This category of lighting can also contain smart home products that control or avoid light. Automatic blinds can be installed that close according to the sunrise time. Electronic shades, on the other hand, allow users to control their blinds using a handheld device.
Audiovisuals
One of the most fun aspects of smart homes is that many entertainment products are now highly connected to each other and can be controlled with a single remote control. TV and speakers now have greater capabilities to play on command via apps, including maintaining a schedule or voice control.
Security
One of the most reasonable aspects of a smart home is its enhanced security capabilities. Many products now feature cameras that track motion, capture video, or allow live video streaming. They can be set up to go off when the doorbell rings or to show up in certain parts of the property. These videos can enable video calling with the door knocker, including audio capabilities.
Many smart homes are also equipped with modern security kits. This includes motion sensor detectors when people should not be home, home surveillance, notifications and alerts for suspicious behavior, and the ability to lock doors or windows remotely using a phone.
Others
Digital assistants or home hubs play an important role in smart homes. These products are often interacted with by voice and can receive commands, answer questions, organize the calendar, schedule conference calls, or issue alerts. Although not specifically related to the home, these digital assistants offer a wide range of possibilities for controlling smart assets, their schedules, and their statuses.
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors not only sound an alarm, but can be synchronized with your phone to alert you in the event you are away from your property. These devices can be configured to send emergency notifications to specific contacts.
Automated irrigation systems have long been programmable. Now, smart irrigation systems track weather and environmental conditions and factor them into existing irrigation schedules. Smart irrigation systems monitor moisture related conditions and strive to save water.
When budgeting for smart home products, take into account any labor or installation costs that may be required by professionals.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Smart Homes
Pros
Installing a smart home technology system provides convenience for homeowners. Instead of controlling appliances, thermostats, lighting, and other functions using different devices, homeowners can control them all with a single device, typically a smartphone or tablet.
When connected to a wearable device, users can receive notifications and updates about problems in their homes. For example, smart doorbells allow homeowners to see and communicate with people knocking on their door even if they are not at home. Users can also adjust and control indoor temperature, lighting and appliances.
For the cost of installing the smart system, homeowners can benefit from significant cost savings. Appliances and electronics can be used more efficiently, reducing energy costs.
Cons
Although the smart home offers convenience and cost savings, problems remain. Security risks and security breaches continue to plague manufacturers and users of this technology. Seasoned hackers, for example, can gain access to Internet connected home appliances. In October 2016, a botnet called Mirai got into connected DVR, camera, and router devices and used a denial of service attack, also called a DDoS attack, to take down a number of major websites.
Measures to mitigate the risks of such attacks include protecting smart devices and appliances with a secure password, using encryption where available, and connecting only trusted devices to the network.
As mentioned above, smart technology installation costs can range from a few thousand dollars for a wireless system to tens of thousands of dollars for a hardwired system. That’s a steep price, especially since there can be a steep learning curve for everyone in the family to get used to the system.
How Much Does a Smart Home Cost?
On the one hand, the fact that more and more smart home products are coming to market will put continuous pressure on manufacturers, competition and product prices. On the other hand, these amazing innovations are continually expanding what they are capable of and may be overpriced. When considering smart home products, perform a costbenefit analysis to determine if the price outweighs the convenience.
$10,000
According to Fixr, fully automating a four bedroom, three bathroom home can cost up to $10,000. Home automation costs just under $800 on average, but fully connected luxury homes can cost as much as $60,000 or more.
In general, a smart home can start with a strong focus on a specific product or room. This strategy allows individuals to invest in smart technology with minimal capital. Consider the following options, each priced under $100 :
- Google Nest Mini, the home audio device and assistant
- Amazon Smart Plug, a home appliance automation method
- Ring Smart Doorbell, a video enabled camera for home security
- Wyze Thermostat, a digital, wireless, programmable heating device
On the other hand, smart home systems that are bigger and have more features usually cost thousands of dollars.
Wrap Up
Smart houses use networked gadgets and the Internet to remotely control home functions. Smart appliances can learn the homeowner’s schedule and make energy saving and safety enhancing modifications. Wireless, wired, or hybrid smart home systems can cost several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Smart home goods can control heating, lighting, audiovisual equipment, automatic blinds, electronic shades, and WiFi enabled smart lights that show data on your phone. Smart homes will become more convenient and efficient as technology advances.
FAQs
A smart home is a place where appliances and devices can be automatically controlled from anywhere with an Internet connection and a device that can connect to a network.
Smart homes allow users to remotely control security, climate, lighting, and home entertainment over the Internet.
The devices in a smart home are connected to each other and can be accessed through a central point: a smartphone, tablet, laptop or game console. Door locks, televisions, thermostats, home monitors, cameras, lights and even household appliances such as the refrigerator can be controlled through a home automation system. The system is installed on a cell phone or other network connected device, and the user can set schedules for certain changes to occur.
Smart homes save energy, improve safety and efficiency, and make living easier and more fun. Smart appliances adapt to the homeowner’s schedule.
Smart homes can use wired or wireless technologies. Wireless solutions are easier to install but may require home broadband and WiFi coverage. Wired systems are more reliable and boost home market value, but they are more expensive and require more installation.
Smart home system installation cost can start from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the system and home size.
Smart home products can regulate heating, lighting, audio visual gadgets, automatic blinds, electronic shades, and smart light bulbs that interact through WiFi and display statistics on your phone.
The setup process may vary depending on the type of system and size.
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- Fixr – How Much Does Home Automation Cost in Your Area?
- Google – Nest Mini
- Amazon – How to Use an Amazon Smart Plug
- Ring – Ring’s Best-Selling Doorbell
- Wyze – Wyze Thermostat
- Vivint – Start Building the Ultimate Smart Home
- LG – Cool Meets Smart
