From smartphones to smart cars, technology is rapidly changing our lives and now, our homes.
Imagine being able to control multiple features in your home without having to be in it. Not only is it convenient, but it enhances your home’s security too.
If you’ve decided it’s time to make the switch to smart, here are some of the basics you can start with.
Easy Ways to Make Your Home Smart
- Control the Temperature
Smart air conditioners are fast becoming the new norm. Instead of keeping it on and wasting energy and money, you can now program your A/C to keep your home at the perfect temperature for you. Plus, you don’t need to be at home to change the temperature either. Want to come home to a warm and inviting space? Simply program the A/C to turn on 1 hour before you get home. Some systems even let you control your blinds in the event that you want to regulate sunlight or prevent outsiders from seeing in.
- Secure Your Home and Check-In
Access specific areas in your home from wherever you might be. Whether you want to arm your home while you’re away or check your camera system should your alarm be triggered, everything can be done from your phone. All you need is a smartphone and an app. There’s nothing worse than getting a call from a neighbor because your alarm is going off and there’s nothing you can do about it. Being able to remotely arm and disarm your alarm and check your cameras is part of having a smart home. Most of today’s security products can be linked to a smart security app. You just need to speak to your local locksmith or security company to discover what’s possible and necessary.
- Start Using Voice Commands
Using voice commands to get things done can feel weird at first, but it’s very satisfying. When your home is smart, it’s set up to recognize words and phrases that help you perform tasks. Playing music, searching the internet, and switching on your lights are just a few examples of what systems such as Google Home and Amazon Echo can do. There are even appliances such as the LG refrigerator with SmartThinQ that allow you to control settings and energy usage from your phone.
- Benefit from Smart Lighting
Smart LED bulbs give you the ability to adjust bulb color, brightness, and turn lights on and off using the sound of your voice. These bulbs do cost slightly more, but if you want the convenience, they’re well worth it. If you wanted to, you could also use an app to control the lights from outside your home – the system simply needs to be connected to your Wi-Fi.
- Control Your Appliances
Lastly, smart plugs are another easy way to convert your house into a smart home. Using an app, you can easily turn your appliances on and off without having to touch them. You can even automate your appliances if you don’t want to control them yourself. All that’s needed is for the appliance to be plugged into the smart plug in a wall socket. Imagine being able to wake up to freshly brewed coffee without having to get out of bed or being able to switch on lights if your house alarm went off. You could confuse a burglar without having to actually be at home.
When converting your home, be sure to use a reputable installer. Not only can they advise you on what you do and don’t need, but they can help you get set up securely too. Having a smart home means you need to be aware of potential online security threats, which a reputable installer can assist you with. Not only do smart devices add to the safety and convenience of your home, but they should offer additional peace of mind too.
