Have you noticed lately your neighbors’ houses that are being renovated are increasingly being fitted with various electronic devices? For example, do you see security cameras, solar panels, smart locks or a smart gate system? The idea of a “smart home” has become very popular in the past few years. From voice-controlled lights to intelligent security systems, the technology promises convenience and safety.
In this article, we’ll explore what is this smart technology that is growing in popularity among home owners. I hope this article will enlighten you with some of the pros and cons of the tech. Perhaps you are thinking about embarking on your own smart home project?
What Is Smart Home Technology?
Smart home technology refers to the integration of connected devices and systems that automate everyday tasks within your home. These devices are typically controlled via a smartphone app, voice assistant, or central hub. The system typically involves electronic devices like lights, thermostats, security cameras and smart door locks.
A well-designed smart system enables you to seamlessly control multiple smart devices in your home from anywhere in the world. The technology has proven to be more than just a geek fad and has real practical purposes. For starters, the smart system can make your home look more “alive” from the outside, so your house will never look quiet and empty when you are away for long periods of time. This helps to enhance your home security.
Modern smart home systems are integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to make living spaces more intuitive and responsive to users’ needs. For example, you can set your outdoor security cameras to only open the gate when the system recognize the number plate of your car. As computer vision capabilities expand, the technology will be able to scan facial features more accurately as well as recognize different types of objects. This technological advancement can serve many practical purposes that we just cannot fully comprehend yet.
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Advantages of Smart Home Technology
Are you getting excited about upgrading your property with smart home technology? Although the technology around smart homes is still somewhat new, but we can already experience some key benefits:
Convenience and Automation
Imagine walking into a room, and the lights automatically adjust to your preferred brightness at different times of the day. Your smart home system can also automatically adjust the interior temperature based on the weather condition outside. What about relaxing with your favorite music or tv show after a long day at work—without lifting a finger? Smart homes allow you to automate many tasks, making daily life easier and convenient.
Energy Efficiency In Smart Home
Smart devices such as thermostats and lights can help reduce energy consumption by learning your routines. For example, smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature and lights based on how many people is in the house. It is also becoming quite trendy for home owners to install solar panels on their roof. Solar technology is a more detailed subject, so I will talk more about it in another article.
Enhanced Security
Smart locks are becoming very popular as an extra level of home security. Let’s say you want more privacy in your home office. You can set the smart lock to only allow entry when the device recognize your face, voice or fingerprint. Perhaps a scheduling feature might also prove useful in stopping you from working in your office on your off days. Your main entrance can also greatly benefit from a video doorbell, which you can use to check who are your visitors even when you are not at home. That being said, let’s take a break from reading to watch some scary incidents that home owners captured on their video doorbells.
Scary Videos Caught on Ring Cameras (Vol. 3)
Video by Mr. Nightmare
Remote Access To Smart Home
Many home owners invest in advanced smart security cameras because it provides 24/7 monitoring of high quality footage combined with real-time alerts. With this tech, you don’t need to wonder any more what is happening in your house when you are away from home. Whether you’re across town or halfway around the world, you can manage the smart devices in your home through your smartphone. Forgot to turn off the lights or fans? Just make a tap on your phone. Expecting an expensive package to be delivered while you are out? With a smart lock, you can authorize a temporary code for the courier personnel to access your home to drop the package inside.
Better Property Value With Smart Tech
A home outfitted with smart tech can boost its value in the real estate market. When people look for a new place to live, feeling safe in their new home is always a top priority. Therefore, an effective home security system will certainly make the property more attractive to potential buyers and tenants. Having other smart gadgets that make life more convenient will also add to your property’s selling points, especially if you intend to market to tech-savvy professionals.
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