Smart Home: Not a Dream Anymore
Introduction
Do you think home automation is only possible in sci-fi? Does it seem too complicated for you? You should realize that we are living in a world of automation, and our homes are now a part of this revolution. A smart home uses technology to allow you to automate and control various aspects of your home. Technology has been growing at high speed.
Do you have a smartwatch that will enable you to make a call like James Bond? Are you already using Artificial Intelligence in the form of Alexa and Siri? If your answer is yes, then you are already halfway there. Home automation should be the next logical step for you. Instead of shunning, you should embrace technology and use it to your advantage.
Apart from TV, lights, music, etc., other areas where we can use automation are:
- Kitchen: fridge, oven, dishwasher, and even trashcans are smart and can do a multitude of things.
- Nursery: monitor your baby and control the lights and music from your room.
- Pets: automated food dispensers are already there. Now you can control them from anywhere. You can also track your pet quickly.
- Bathrooms: toilets and showers come with many options. Some vanity screens can turn into a TV.
- Medical Care: video monitoring, reminders for medication, and setting up appointments.
- Home Security: constant updates when you are away. Enhanced security with sensors and alarms.
Things to Consider Before You Turn Your Home into a Smart Home
You spend most of your time at home. By turning your home into a smart home, you can improve the quality of your life. Smart homes can save both energy and money and increase the efficiency of your appliances. There are some things which you should keep in mind when you decide to take this step.
1. The heart and brain of the system
If you are not careful, you will have a house full of smart devices but no cohesion. You will be spending a lot of time in communicating with different appliances and still not able to use them efficiently. It is a good idea first to pick the brain and then find other devices compatible with it. Smart speakers like Google Home and Alexa and services like IFTTT can help with the communication between devices and services. Choose wisely to get the best results.
2. Communication between devices
The whole point of a smart home is to make your life easier. If your devices can’t communicate with each other, then your life will get more complicated. Compatibility and communication will make controlling everything more relaxed and more efficient.
For example, your fridge should be able to add to the shopping list. The fire or smoke alarm should tell the doors and windows to unlock. The more communication between the devices, the easier it gets for you.
3. Cost
Smart gadgets and appliances will cost more than the ‘dumb’ ones. Instead of trying to change everything at once, do it based on real use. Change things that will make a difference to your quality of life. You will save on electricity and energy costs, but that will happen over some time. Make your plan with all the inputs and keep to the budget.
4. Security
No technology is completely foolproof, and home automation is no different. Your smart home can turn into a nightmare if you don’t take care of the security concerns. Hackers can tamper with the most sophisticated of computers and systems.
It may not seem very dangerous if someone hacks your fridge, but just imagine if someone gets into your security system via any connected device. Make sure that you have strong passwords for the system and your Wi-Fi.
5. How to Control Your Smart Home
You could be just taking your first steps into the home automation territory, or you could be expanding what you already have, but you would want to get everything on the same platform working together. The options are so many that they may bewilder you. Let us guide and help you to understand the options better.
Central Control System
As the name suggests, this system controls everything from a single source. It is best for businesses or offices and in high-end residences. There could be a wall-mounted control unit, or you could use your smartphone or tablet.
You can control everything from your garage door to showers from one point. These are usually high end and high quality. However, you can find that only limited devices can pair with the system. You would have to buy new appliances based on their compatibility with the central system.
App-Based System
You can use your home network to manage the apps which control your smart home. Cloud technology and the Internet of Things are integral to this system. You can connect to the appliances and devices in your home through the apps. You will have to create a personalized account to manage the system.
You and your home automation devices have to be on the internet for communication to take place. Bluetooth connection is possible with some devices when you are in the vicinity. App-based smart home systems are the most common systems and very popular. You will find it easy and efficient to use. People can customize according to their budget and their requirements.
Hubs Controlled System
This system acts as a smart home bridge. It collects all the different pieces of information and protocol communication from smart devices and translates when required. It ties together the various devices on a centralized platform and controls all of them.
The hubs present all the devices to you in the form of an app. Some hubs have a simple look while some are more visually appealing. Hubs can act as a universal remote for all smart devices. They can control a variety of devices, even if they have different systems. When deciding on the smart devices you want you will need to make sure they can work together. Or, that they can link to your hub.
For example, if you purchase a kit off Amazon from Skylink and a WeMo switch, they cannot directly communicate together. SkyLink works on its own protocol and WeMo works through WIFI. This means the WeMo switch will not be able to connect to the SkyLink Hub.
Although because SkyLink and WeMo both work with IFTTT you would be able to integrate them that way. For instance, when a sensor on SkyLink is triggered it could turn on the WeMo lighting.
There are hubs that can work on multiple protocols and control multiple items. And there are voice assistances that can connect multiple apps and brands to control.
Conclusion
This is meant to give key points to keep in mind when first deciding on purchasing smart home devices. For a detailed guide on which devices are compatible with others and protocols of hubs, take a look at our articles.
It may seem a bit overwhelming but once you have a handle on which components are compatible with each other and their limitations you are well on your way. Decide which items you would want to “smartify” and start with those. Purchase a system that can expand and/or talk with any future devices you may want.
If you start with switches, will you eventually want sensors, keypads, and a siren? Do you want them to work with each other? Do you care if you have to operate multiple applications to control them, or do you want to be able to use them through a central hub or voice assistant?
All the questions that you’ll need to ponder a bit and decide. In the end, with whatever you choose, you’ll most likely be happy with it. Unless it’s a poor product, which there are a few, you’ll be able to use it for the intended function. It’s exciting and can make tasks much easier, so have fun with it.
