Smart Home | Switched On Lifestyle

What is a Smart Home?

A smart home is a home setup that allows the control of household devices and appliances to be conducted remotely. In a smart home setup, all the devices are connected to the Internet, which makes controlling them remotely possible. The system controls various household functions, such as lighting, temperature, entertainment and security [1].
A smart home is also known as domotics or a home automation system. This comes with a setup that connects all the controlled devices to a designated gateway or central hub. The system also includes a user interface that uses either a tablet, wall-mounted terminals or mobile phone application to control the networked devices.
Through this setup, many homeowners and members can control most of their household devices anytime and anywhere. The practice is also quite effective in boosting energy savings and creating a more positive impact on the natural environment in the future.

How Does a Smart Home Work?

A majority of the households with home automation systems use devices that are connected and can be accessed by the user via a single central point. Various devices, such as laptops, game consoles, tablets and smartphones, are used as the system’s central point.
When connected to the system, the user can remotely control the devices inside the house like door locks, thermostats, televisions, home monitors, lights, cameras and other appliances.
The appliances connected to a home automation system are equipped with advanced and self-learning features. These allow them to learn the schedule of their users and automatically adjust to this. Most smart home systems also allow their owners to save on energy by automatically turning it off when they are not in use. 
Other home automation systems are programmed to handle various home security aspects. In most cases, this involves alerting the household owner when a motion is detected whilst the occupants are away. Some systems are also capable of calling or alerting the authorities in the event of imminent situations [1].

Benefits of Having a Smart Home

Smart home or home automation is currently regarded as a popular option for many homeowners. This is because the technology used in the system has become affordable and available to consumers. A smart home also offers more benefits, such as the following.

• It keeps home management convenient.​
  • Convenience is among the most significant benefits that home automation provides. The system makes home management more convenient by allowing homeowners to control most household appliances and devices remotely. It helps them check on their home whenever and wherever, only with a click on their smartphone or any device used as the system’s user interface.
• It keeps your home secured
  
  • ​Installing a home automation system is proven to boost the security status of your house. Smart homes are typically equipped with security cameras, motion sensor-controlled lights and other technologies that deter intruders.
    
• It keeps an eye on your kids
  • Many home automation systems are designed to allow users to view their houses remotely. With this, you can still keep an eye on the kids and other loved ones when you are away. You can check their situation at home every time you want by simply using your smartphone.
• It keeps your home more comfortable.
  • Many smart home users use the system to make their home more comfortable and enjoyable to stay. Smart devices help create an inviting home environment through adaptive and intelligent lighting, temperature and sound system. Homeowners also use these devices to record their favourite shows or play the music they like throughout the house.
    
• It reduces your home insurance costs.
  
  • ​Many home insurance companies are offering significant discounts to automated homes. This is because houses with home automation systems are safer and more secure than conventional ones. In most cases, smart homes are equipped with devices that deter burglars and help prevent unwanted incidents, such as fire.
    
• It reduces your energy bills.
  
  • ​The smart technology used in a smart home setup allows the owner to control most of the electrical devices at home. The owner can quickly turn off the appliances that are not in use or schedule their service to lessen their energy consumption. This results in their monthly energy bills being reduced significantly.
    
• It increases your home’s resale value.
  
  • ​Smart homes are known for their relatively higher resale value. Many property experts agree that making your house automated is effective in boosting its value. A smart home is safer and more secure to live in. In addition, the cost of the automation system installed in the house is usually considered in computing the final value of the property when offered for sale.​

Commonly Used Smart Home Devices

• Smart TVs
  • ​Smart TVs use smart technology to provide you with more viewing options. These TVs can now be connected to the Internet and be used as a video streaming device. A smart TV can also be connected to other smart devices like smart speakers and be integrated into the smart home’s central control hub.
• Smart Speakers
  • ​Smart speakers come with a range of features that the conventional version doesn’t have. They are designed to play music, search the Internet and provide weather updates. Smart speakers can also be used as your virtual assistant and act as your home automation system’s central control hub. You can use them to voice control lights, thermostats and even home entertainment.
• Smart Plugs
  • ​Smart plugs convert ordinary home appliances and devices into smart versions. They do this by allowing the user to remotely control the supply of power that goes into the machines. In most cases, these plugs are operated with an app that can be controlled using your smartphone. Initially, the smart plugs sold in the market are designed to allow you to schedule when they will be turned on or turned off. But as the technology evolves, many smart plug models are now capable of monitoring their power usage. Some can also check the temperature of the outlet where they are plugged in to avoid overheating [2].
• ​Robot Vacuums​​​
  • Robotic vacuums are autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners that can be controlled using a remote control. The earliest versions of these vacuums use a limited vacuum system, robotic drives and sensors to clean a particular floor area. These vacuums can be programmed to perform regular cleaning routines. Currently, many robot vacuums come with deep learning and artificial intelligence features to better map the area that will be cleaned and identify objects. Low-noise and user-friendly robot vacuums are also now available on the market.
• ​Smart Light Bulbs
  • ​Smart light bulbs come with Wi-Fi connectivity that allows them to be connected to a network. The bulbs can be remotely controlled using a designated app and a mobile device or a desktop when connected to the network. Many household owners use them because most of the latest models can be dimmed using remote controls. Some versions can also change colours. ​
• Smart Doorbells
  • ​Smart doorbells also come with Internet connectivity and notify homeowners when they have visitors. These doorbells do this by sending notifications directly to the owner’s smartphone or other designated electronic device. Most of them are also equipped with motion sensors that allow them to detect the movement or presence of visitors. Other variants are sold with built-in infrared microphones and cameras that enable the household owners to talk to the visitors outside the door via their smartphones.

Make your house automated by the best service contractors. Contact us at Switched On Lifestyle, and let’s discuss how we can help you.

Ways of Converting a House into a Smart Home

Upgrading your house into a smart home can be accomplished either all at once or gradually. Here’s how you can make that conversion.

• DIY Conversion ​
  • DIY conversion involves thorough research about how home automation must be done. Most of the homeowners who opt for the DIY method have spent a lot of time sourcing for the smart components, technology and appliances they could use on their projects. Although many houses were successfully converted into smart homes using this method, the technique may limit the system’s capability to connect and control more devices.
• ​Hiring a Licensed Service Provider
  • ​Hiring the service of a licensed company that specialises in home automation is the more favoured option. Contrary to popular belief, hiring these service providers is more cost-effective compared to DIY conversion. This is because having a smart home system assembled by experts assures that they will work well. In addition, hiring professionals reduces the need to look for the suppliers of the smart devices, technology and equipment needed for the home automation system. ​

How to Select the Best Contractor

Selecting the best contractor that will handle your home automation is important to get the best outcomes. Doing so will also help you avoid spending more than what’s needed for home automation. So, if you are planning to hire a contractor, try to consider the following.

1. Hire a contractor with solid and extensive experience in home automation. These people know the ins and outs in their field.
2. Check the customer service ratings of the contractors you are interested in hiring online.
3. Ask around and look for information about the most trusted contractor from other smart homeowners.

Looking for the best and most reliable contractor to help you automate your home? We, at Switched On Lifestyle, can help you. Call us on 0418 269 796 now!

​References:
[1] Hayes, Adam. “Smart Home.” Investopedia, 8 June 2021, www.investopedia.com/terms/s/smart-home.asp.
[2] Paras, Anna. “What Is a Smart Plug? How They Work and How to Use Them?” DIY Smart Home Solutions, 4 Aug. 2021, www.diysmarthomesolutions.com/what-is-a-smart-plug-how-they-work-and-how-to-use-them.