It was not long ago that smart homes were a fictional concept that only existed in movies and books. However, with the recent boom in technology-related development, smart homes are quickly becoming an impressive reality.
I mean, who would’ve thought you could just say an instruction out loud and see an action happen?
Ever since smart devices have started hitting the markets, I have been gradually investing in them and consider myself a smart home aficionado now.
So, let us learn how you can make your home smart and the devices you can start with.
How Do Smart Homes Work?
Smart homes are built on a system of interconnected devices that can be controlled remotely. These devices work through the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. In easier terms, this means IoT is the network that these devices form together using the internet.
Smart homes or the smart devices inside them can be controlled through apps or web interfaces on phones and tablets. The reason they are such a big deal is because of the ease they provide to the user.
Imagine leaving for work and remembering you forgot to lock the main door. Instead of driving all the way back, you can simply lock it from your phone. That can only happen if you have a smart lock system in your home.
Smart Home devices are controlled by a central device
Important Considerations Before Getting Smart Devices
Making your home smart is not as simple as buying devices and downloading apps. You cannot get random smart devices and expect them to work seamlessly. There are a handful of considerations that need to be kept in mind when you decide to upgrade your home to a smart one.
The Internet Is an Integral Part of a Smart Home
As I mentioned above, the internet, and more specifically WiFi, is an integral part of a smart home. If you have a reliable internet connection that works smoothly and does not face any outages, only then will your smart home stay functional.
In case you do not, you can give Spectrum Internet a shot. With speeds as high as 1 Gbps, it provides reliable internet connectivity without any outages during peak hours.
Apart from stable internet connectivity, smart homes also need whole-home WiFi connectivity. So, make sure there are no WiFi dead zones in your home.
Consider Compatibility Before Buying Smart Devices
Since a smart home is a network of interconnected smart devices, therefore compatibility is a major factor for it to run like a well-oiled machine. Smart homes are controlled by a central device like your phone or hubs such as the Google Nest or Amazon Echo.
It is important to make up your mind on what that central device will be for your home before you move on to buying smart devices.
You need to make sure that all the devices you invest in are compatible with your central device to fully enjoy the perks of a smart home. However, if any of your devices are not compatible with your central hub, you will face connectivity and performance issues.
Wired and Wireless Devices Both Have Their Own Perks
There are two types of smart home devices: wired and wireless. You should consider the pros and cons of both these before buying them.
Wired devices tend to be more reliable in terms of connectivity and performance. Plus, they are more secure from hackers. However, their installation can be a headache as it can be time-consuming, messy, and costly. This is because you will have to run wires through your entire home to establish a network.
On the other hand, wireless devices depend on wireless technologies like Bluetooth or WiFi to form a network. These are convenient and pocket-friendly to install. These are especially suitable for you if you frequently change homes or live in a rented space. However, their downside is that they are easier to hack than wired devices. Plus, they tend to be more prone to problems like connectivity issues or signal loss.
Popular Smart Devices to Get for a Smart Home
Now that you have a fair idea about how a smart home works, you might be wondering about where to start. So, here is a list of some of the most popular smart home devices that you can get:
- Smart Lights: These are lights that can be controlled remotely. They can even be programmed to turn on or off depending on the time.
- Smart Security Systems: These include a variety of smart devices like smart cameras, door locks, window locks, alarms, etc. They are also remotely controlled and work together to keep your home safe from intruders.
- Smoke Detectors: These help detect smoke or check carbon monoxide levels in a home. Some smoke detectors are connected to the sprinklers to save houses from fires.
- Smart Thermostats: Such devices control the temperature of the home. These are energy-efficient in the sense that they turn off the heating or cooling as needed. This not only keeps homes at optimal temperature but also helps save electricity bills.
- Robo Vacuums: These are also remotely controlled and can keep homes clean when owners are away.
Smart homes are the pinnacle of technology and innovation. They improve the quality of living and ease for the users. You can also leverage a lot of the benefits mentioned above by turning your traditional home into a smart one.
