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Smart Homes and How to Get One

150 150 Nisha Muire

Smart home technology used to be a thing of the future – but is it increasingly part of the now. Although not yet as widely available as the wiring for surround sound or an underground sprinkler system, smart home technology is now available to those who are interested in what it has to offer. So, what is smart home technology? It is the technology that allows a homeowner to remotely control various facets of their home’s functioning through an app on a mobile device.

If you are interested in setting your home up as a smart home, the first thing you will need is a hub. The smart home hub is a device that will allow you to add as many devices to it as you want. Once you have added the devices you want to control, then you will just need to download the compatible app to go with the hub and voilà! You’ve got yourself a smart home. If you are building a home, it is possible to have this technology incorporated into the residence’s infrastructure – but be prepared to pay big bucks for such convenience.

Hubs
As with any technology finding the right hub for your smart home will require a bit of homework on your part. There are some excellent reviews of hubs on CNET, which can be found over here //cnet.co/1GMTRtj and also on PCmag, which can be found here //bit.ly/1Ie36Zl. Naturally you will also need the appliances equipped with remote control access features in order to make use of this technology.

Kits
Those who want something a bit easier to work with might want to invest in a smart home kit that bundles a number of devices from the same company into one kit to help you get started.

Entry-Level Smarts
Whether you are aware of it or not, you just might already be part of the smart-home bandwagon. If you have a security system that you can control via your phone or if you have a lighting system or thermostats that you can control remotely, then you are already on the road to smart home ownership!

However, there are a number of ways to up your home’s technology IQ with a few simple inclusions:

Smart thermostats are new and pricier than traditional thermostats, but these clever devices learn your habits and automatically adjusts the temperature accordingly. The cleverest smart thermostats will gain in intelligence the longer you use them and can additionally interact with other household smart tech gadgets.
Home security is another area where smart technology is taking off. The idea of ensuring their family’s security remotely is very popular with people and so are the gadgets allowing them to set up a surveillance system so that they can monitor who is entering their home each time the door opens, who is leaving their home and what is actually taking place in their home.
Certain LED lighting systems are now accessibly through clever apps that allow them to be turned on and off remotely; some of these systems can also offer different lighting options to suit your changing moods.
Smart plugs allow you to plug in appliances and then turn them on or off remotely using your mobile device.
Smart appliances are another way of making your life easier. By being able to turn on your Crockpot or oven remotely, you can prep meals in advance and then cook them while still at work for a ready-to-eat-meal when you arrive home.
Key/door locks have also been smartened up, with many companies now offering the option of having programmable and remote controlled locking options.

While not yet widely used, smart home technology is gaining ground quickly. Just under a year ago, hubs were being developed – today they are available for sale. Although it might seem very futuristic, we are moving towards a far more wired home and in a few years they will likely be standard along with hardwood floors and pot lighting.

Author

Nisha Muire

All stories by: Nisha Muire