Is it just me or are things getting smarter and smarter these days? We’ve gone from flip phones to smartphones and now brick homes to smart homes in what seems to be a matter of a couple short years. What exactly does this whole smart technology terminology mean anyway? Just what is a smart home?
I’ll get to that definition shortly, but first, let’s review a little bit on how homes have evolved over the years. I’m not talking about from caves or adobe’s to the modern homes we dwell in today, but more so over the past 20-30 years. We’ve gone through a lot of different technology and advancements that have given us something more in our homes.
The Beginning of a Smart Home
Remember that goofy black contraption that took up a large amount of space on our home entertainment centers? The Video Home System (VHS) or if you’re a little bit older, the Betamax. Wow, what a turn eh? Now there are TVs and devices that offer video streaming from the cloud that make those previous devices seem clunky, odd, and extremely obsolete. No disrespect to anyone who still owns or uses any of these devices (I still have mine stored away somewhere with all the old home videos).
So what does a matured entertainment system have to do with a smart home? Well, the dawn of the smart home era started somewhere around this time when Smart TVs began to sell off the shelves. What made these televisions “smart” was their ability to be connected to the internet (or cloud) and offer integrated services for streaming video or browsing the web.
Definition of a Smart Home
As technology and the “Internet of Things” grow, so does the idea of what a smart home is and means today. To put things simply, a smart home is a dwelling that implements one or more connected devices and allows the homeowner (or user) to control or automate the home’s functions. The connected devices (being connected to the internet by WiFi, Bluetooth, or other means) allows the user to operate a smart home device anywhere in or outside the home.
There are homes that are smart and homes that are smarter. No true set standard exist. A smart home can feature one or several devices connected to the cloud and still be considered a smart home. The possibilities of automation are seemingly limitless to any room or function, but overall a smart home device can be classified into two main categories: security and automation.
Smart Home Security
According to a 2015 Samsung study, smart home security devices dominated the smart home market in 2014. Smart home security devices accounted for 50% of the smart home market. The products in this group range from a small door or window security sensors to indoor or outdoor security cameras. A majority of smart home security systems on the market offer homeowners the ability to customize and develop their home’s security to suit their needs.
Smart Home Surveillance Cameras
The most common smart home security device on the market is the indoor security camera. With a simple do-it-yourself installation, homeowners can monitor their house while away on vacation or at the office. Either one camera or a system of multiple cameras may be used to monitor the home. Outdoor cameras may also be implemented for those seeking additional or heavy video surveillance.
Smart Home Security Systems
For homeowners that are looking for a little more than just surveillance, there are many DIY security system kits on the market. These kits vary in their offerings but the majority of kits give you all the basic components to install your own home security system. In addition, you may be able to integrate these kits with other security devices and control them from a central hub.
Smart Home Alarms and Sensors
Whether it be smoke or carbon monoxide alerting us to a fire or an open door or window alerting us to a possible intruder, alarms and sensors alert homeowners to specific dangers. Basic home security kits may offer such sensors and alarms for do-it-yourselfers, but you don’t need to stop there. Devices on the market provide stand-alone options or may be incorporated into existing devices/systems already in use.
Smart Home Door Locks
Now, this may be a little more on the convenience and automation side of things, but smart home door locks do serve a purpose in security as well. Locks serve as the first line of defense to an unwelcomed guest. However, fumbling around in the dark for your keys is both annoying and can leave you vulnerable. Smart locks allow you to quickly, easily, and securely enter and exit your home. Your key could be your phone, thumbprint, or GPS coordinates.
Read More About Smart Home Security
Smart Home Automation
Smart home automation is all about bringing convenience, comfort, or cost savings to the household. Automation is the art of implementing largely automatic devices to manage a function or process. The limits of home automation are nearly non-existent. Lighting, appliances, heating and air conditioning, and even home cleaning process can be automated in the home.
Smart Home Hub
A smart home hub is the main controller of a smart home with many devices. Think of it as a work supervisor for your home. Devices are connected to the hub and given task throughout the day based on user input. The hub then reports back to you (the owner) and lets you know the status of a task and the devices current state.
Smart Home Lighting
Lighting systems in a smart home may be controlled wirelessly through the previously mentioned smart home hub, switches/outlets, or even the light bulb itself. Both indoor and outdoor lighting can be controlled. Control mechanisms include switches, timers, and/or sensors. Optimizing a home’s lighting system can provide both savings and security.
Smart Home Climate Control
If convenience, comfort, and savings is your goal, then adding a smart home device to your heating and cooling system is a great option for you. Smart triggers based upon time of day or your location can keep your house comfortable when you’re in and saving when you’re out. Installing a smart thermostat can be done by the pros or a handy DIY homeowner.
Smart Home Cooking
The kitchen is also a major consideration in a smart home. While you may still need to do an agonizing task such as chopping onions, there are devices and appliances on the market that make your time in the kitchen more pleasant. From crock pots that can be activated by phone to smart refrigerators that tell you when you’re out of a staple, a smart kitchen can increase productivity.
Smart Home Energy Management
Home energy cost vary in a day during peak and non-peak hours. It’s much more cost-effective to run large appliances during non-peak hours. By monitoring and managing energy usage, a smart homeowner can reduce their yearly energy expenses. Top energy management devices allow you to both monitor and control your energy usage remotely.
Smart Home Cleaning
Ditch the maid service and put a robot to work. Spend more time doing what you love and less time doing boring old chores. Sweeping and mopping are now for the bots.
Summary
A smart home contains one or more devices connected to the internet and can be controlled anywhere inside or outside the home. There are numerous ways one can make their home smart (or smarter) and the list is growing as technology advances. Overall, a smart home can bring additional savings, comfort, and/or convenience to the household.