For many people around the globe, smart home technology is becoming a part of everyday life, providing them with unprecedented control of their home functions, from appliances and utilities to entertainment and security.
Smart home technology is being built into every kind of home appliance, utility, and item you can think of, and more IoT (internet of things) devices are coming onto the market every month.
So what is the full potential of installing a smart home system, and what does it involve? Read on to learn more about smart home systems, and see why SmartHomeWorks are the leading smart home system company in Sydney and Australia’s East Coast.
What is smart home technology?
Smart home technology creates a home network of connected appliances and devices that all home occupants can access, control, and view via a central control hub and remote smart devices, like PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, via applications.
These smart devices could include home, appliances, items, and systems like:
- Doorbells
- Thermostats
- Lighting
- Smart TVs and home theatre
- Audio
- Blinds
- Garden and pool maintenance functions
- Security systems and much more
If you are running only a few smart technologies and IoT devices around your home, you may use different apps to control each appliance or technology.
However, in a fully networked smart home, you may decide to link all smart technologies together symbiotically to create what is commonly referred to as a smart home ecosystem, where everything is operated by a central control device and remote smart device applications.
What is a smart home ecosystem?
The smart home ecosystem refers to the entirety of your smart home’s networked IoT and smart devices and how they integrate and operate together, either by choosing a single manufacturer or a hub that is compatible with a variety of smart technologies with different smart protocols.
The building or choosing a hub or system that fully integrates makes operating your smart home considerably easier and more reliable.
How smart home automation systems save you money
A smart home system can save you significantly on energy bills by giving you more control over your electronics and appliances, especially in a country like Australia, where weather conditions can be extreme and unpredictable.
Aussies are often forced to leave the air conditioning on in the peak of winter, or summer, even when they are not home, to avoid returning to a sweltering or freezing cold home.
Smart home systems allow you to turn your thermostat on or off remotely and control the blinds, which help regulate temperature, from a remote device like a smartphone, potentially saving some Australians hundreds, if not thousands, in energy bills throughout the year.
Likewise, a smart home system allows homeowners to control the interior and exterior lighting, which shows up as zones on a smart hub app. While leaving a light on does not tend to be the biggest energy waster on an individual budget, lights left on Australia-wide, just like air conditioning, contribute significantly to a community’s carbon footprint.
The ability to control your garden’s watering system via a smart app or voice command system can also help save on water bills and reduce the wastage of Australia’s most precious resource.
This makes smart home systems good for the environment and the household energy budget.
Choosing the best smart home automation system for your family
Many smart home systems are available on today’s market, making decisions for smart technology novices confusing and overwhelming.
There are many smart home central control systems that you may already be familiar with, including:
- Google Home
- Amazon Alexa and Echo
- Apple HomeKit and more
There are also some more advanced systems that you may have caught wind of, including:
- Control4
- Crestron
- Savant
- Fibaro
- KNX
- Push and more
All these fantastic systems can integrate a range of IoT and smart technology systems into your homes and control them via an app, voice command, or a touch screen central control hub, similar to a tablet, that can be fixed or portable.
Choosing the right smart home automation system for your home
When it comes to selecting a smart home system, there are a few questions that are worth asking that can help you narrow down your decision, including:
- What are your existing smart devices
- How many smart technologies and IoT devices do you intend to integrate
- What are the main things you wish to achieve from your smart home integration
- How many people will be using the system
- How much previous experience do you have with smart home systems
These questions may prompt you to think of some more considerations unique to your circumstance.
Not only does asking and answering these questions narrow down your options, but it will also prompt problem-solving solutions ahead of investment, potentially saving you money on choosing the wrong smart home system or devices for you and your family.
If you answer these questions, perform some online research, read some reviews, and are still unsure of what to choose or how to install a smart home ecosystem, then it may be worth your while to contact a professional integrator who can run you through your options and help you discover the full extent of what you can achieve in your current property.
Smart Home Works: Industry-leaders for smart home system integration Sydney-wide
For over 20 years, the smart home integration specialists here at Smart Home Works have been driven to remain at the cutting edge of smart home system integration in Australia.
We work with properties of any type or size and can find a solution for most budgets. We use world-leading smart technology developers and manufacturers in all our smart home integrations, including industry giants such as:
- Control4
- Crestron
- Dali
- Sonos
- Dolby
- Dynalite
- CBUS and much more
We are a complete solutions smart home automation system company, providing all indoor and outdoor smart home automation technologies for customising and optimising your smart home.
For more information about our range of expert smart home automation solutions and services, contact us by phone today at (02) 8197 1133, or send your inquiry via email to design@smarthomeworks.com.au.
