How Do You Make Your Home a Smart Home?

Smart home automation. You may have been hearing this phrase more often in recent times, as well as seeing more and more products in retail and online stores being called smart home devices. But what is a smart home, and what does a smart home do?

Anyone who grew up watching old space-age cartoons like The Jetsons, or watching sci-fi movies may have longed for the days when lights were voice-activated, and home appliances could be turned on remotely.

Well, it appears that time has come, and it is called smart home automation. The internet is becoming more and more intertwined into every aspect of our daily lives and continues to influence and evolve the way we communicate and control our day to day activities.

The team here at SmartHomeWorks are at the forefront of smart home technology and have been providing expert solutions for home automation for 20-years.

Below we will take a look at where we are at with the evolution of the Australian smart home, and discover some of the more popular devices people are using to take their home into the future.

Smart home automation and IoT devices

A smart home is made up of a network of devices that are operated from a single control or a remote smart device, like a smartphone.

Most smart devices can also come under the banner of IoT, or internet of things devices. These could include any number of daily items from white goods to home appliances, and each item’s smart functions could provide you with a diverse range of applications.

Examples of everyday devices that are being fitted with smart technology include:

Televisions
Robot vacuums
Refrigerators
Smart doorbells and cameras
Air conditioners
Door and window locks
Robot lawn mowers
Lighting systems
Security systems
Washing machines, driers
Dishwashers and more

It seems we are finding new ways to create a smart future all time, and so far, the potential appears to be limitless; it is likely that smart device technology is in some way affecting your daily life now without you even noticing.

Read on to learn more about some of the more popular smart technologies being integrated into people’s everyday lives.

Smart home assistants and smart hubs

Smart hubs, also known as smart home assistance, or smart speakers, act as a voice-activated control panel or command centre for your smart home.

No doubt you may have already heard of, or know someone who is using one of these products under their manufacturer titles.

Examples of smart hub products that are popular on the market include:

Google home
Amazon Alexa
Amazon Echo (with Alexa)
Apple HomePod and more

These voice-activated assistants are not only linked to the smart devices in your home but also connected to the internet via network cables or wifi, allowing you to perform tasks like:

Turn on the robot vacuum
Adjust the temperature
Control lighting
Change channels on the TV
Check security footage
Call your family members phones
Order food from your favourite takeaway
Check the contents of your fridge
Turn off the dryer and more

With voice-activated smart home assistants and smart hubs, we really are beginning to step into the world of tomorrow today.

Smart home security

Smart home security has evolved alongside smart technology for years. As people spend more time at work and away from home, people want more control over the safety of their property and loved ones.

With a smart home security system, you can control or view all security devices in your home in real-time from the convenience of an app, or range of apps on your smartphone, laptop, tablet or work station.

Examples of devices and data that are accessible from your smartphone utilising a smart home security system include:

Internal and external security cameras
Recorded security footage
Arm and disarm alarm systems
Open and lock smart locks on doors and windows
View access data throughout the day
Speak to occupants via smart speakers and hubs
Unlock gates and garage doors

Smart security can also give you extra control over your properties fire safety by utilising smart smoke detectors that you can monitor at all times.

Smart home automation gives you unprecedented control over your home and families security. You can even allow access via smart locks for delivery drivers to ensure parcels and valuables are left securely while monitoring and recording the whole process.

Smart doorbells

The rise of smart security and smart locks has given birth to the smart doorbell. What can something as simple as a smart doorbell do you ask?

Tech manufactures like Ring have reinvented the doorbell to include features like high definition cameras, two-way intercoms and interconnectivity with other smart devices in your network, like command hubs.

These devices allow you to talk with visitors and delivery drivers in person while away from home, as well as monitor pets or check on children as they arrive or leave your home.

Smart energy devices

In recent times people have become ever more conscious about how much energy they consume, how much their energy costs, and how their energy is sourced.

There is a range of devices that are not only good for the smart home and the family budget but also good in helping reduce our carbon emissions.

Smart lighting

Smart lighting has IoT technology integrated into your homes light globes. By a simple voice command directed to your hub, or via a smart device app, you can turn lights on or off, dim lights or control popular modern lighting features like strip LED lighting and garden lights.

Smart plugs

Smart plugs allow you to network and control every individual power outlet in your home; this will enable you to control the power source on any device in the house via voice command or smartphone app.

This could save you significantly on your energy bills when forgetting to turn off electrical goods before heading out.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are the perfect addition to the Australian home, and can dramatically reduce your homes energy consumption. Australia has some of the most diverse seasonal temperature changes in the world, and air conditioning is generally considered an essential feature.

Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature of your home from your smartphone, meaning you no longer have to waste energy cooling or heating your home while no one is there.

Simply log in to your app on the way home, and you will be greeted by the perfect climate every time you arrive.

The future is smart home automation

It appears the home of the future is now the home of the present. More and more people are reaping the benefits of smart home automation, and it is set to continue growing exponentially in the foreseeable future.

The team here at SmartHomeWorks are on the cutting edge of smart home automation, Sydney, and greater NSW with an impressive portfolio of happy, smart home customers.

To learn more about how you can transform your residence with smart home automation, contact our expert team today for friendly advice, or to arrange a consultation.