From 1957 to 1967, Disneyland hosted a popular exhibit called “The House of the Future.” The show featured a house built from sturdy plastic, with all the gadgets and innovations that its designers envisioned would be expected in the smart home of the future (at the time, the “future” was 1986). The house featured a host of innovative technology, such as a microwave, dishwasher, and landline phone with a video function. More than 20 million people visited it during his tenure.
Today, microwaves, dishwashers, and telephones with video features (skip the landline) are standard features of all smart homes. The new smart home of the 21st century is one that Disney could not have have imagined, and its technologies are widely available to almost every homeowner. These must-have smart items can take your ordinary home and change it into a smart home, taking advantage of today’s most advanced home innovations.
Smart doorbells
These days, you don’t even have to walk to the front door to see who’s ringing the bell. Smart doorbells, which are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, as long as your home is already wired for a doorbell, come with tons of cool features that allow you to see and even communicate with whoever is at your door without even being home. The best smart doorbells are Wi-Fi-enabled and connected to other smart systems in your home, giving an extra boost to home security that you’ll never know how you lived without once you’ve installed it.
Smart locks
For added security at the front door, you can install a smart lock. These locks are typically touchpad-enabled and keyless. In addition to the basic function of automatic locking, smart locks allow you to lock and unlock the door remotely from your phone, a great feature if you are someone who often loses their keys or if you forgot to give your dog walker a spare set. You can even create individual access codes for different people who may need to access your home. Use it in conjunction with a smart doorbell for the ultimate front door security and ingenuity in your new home.
Indoor and outdoor cameras
Still, feeling a theme among these smart home features? Much of today’s most advanced home technology is focused on making our homes safer, and cameras are no exception. Of course, you don’t need to turn your home into the Big Brother stage; Many people use them only to record what happens outside the home or keep an eye on pets when they are not around, but cameras are useful home security tools. (even fake ones). And because they have become so popular, they are much cheaper to buy than they used to be.
Smart thermostats
Another issue that smart homes can aid is being energy efficient. Smart thermostats can replace existing thermostats in your home, where they monitor usage over time to optimize your energy use based on when and how you typically heat or cool your home. The most popular smart thermostats adjust run times on their own, limiting power consumption when you’re not around. They also have compatible applications that allow you to personally control daily and monthly use and make small adjustments for big energy savings.
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Smart outlets
Regarding energy conservation, did you know that your plugged-in electronic devices consume power even when you’re not actively using them? It’s called reserve energy, or vampire energy, and over time it can result in a great deal of wasted energy. Smart plugs allow you to take a stand against the power of vampires, giving you the ability to remotely control when your plugs and devices draw power and set automated rules for this type of energy use that aligns with your lifestyle and habits. In addition to smart plugs, a truly energy-efficient smart home can also include smart plugs and light switches.
LED bulbs
Not all smart technology in your home has to be high tech and complicated. The simplest piece of smart home technology is also one of the most efficient. For example, Eskom predicts that the widespread use of LED lighting could save the country 190 terawatts of electricity per year by 2030. Swapping out the existing bulbs in your new home for LED bulbs is an inexpensive and straightforward project that will save you money on both your energy bills (LED bulbs use around 50% less energy than regular ones. traditional bulbs) and bulb replacements; as LED lights boast decade long lifespans over conventional bulbs which need to be replaced every few years if you are lucky. If you have a dimming system, don’t fret. Most LED bulbs will be compatible with dimming systems, with a wider range of dimming capabilities than fluorescent lights.
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Carbon monoxide and smart smoke detectors
Replaceable battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a thing of the past. Instead, smart detectors are constantly charging, so they are always working properly. And there are other important perks, too, like the ability to tell you exactly where the smoke is coming from and alert you on your smartphone if the devices go off and you’re not at home. Many smart detectors can also be integrated with smart thermostats so that should the alarms be triggered, your home’s heating system, if you have one installed, will automatically shut off, so you don’t exacerbate what is happening. Depending on what you have to buy, they can be a bit pricey, but they’re well worth it in terms of efficiency and peace of mind.
Robotic smart vacuum cleaners
Studies have shown, we spend about one and a half to two and a quarter hours on household activities such as cleaning and maintenance. That time spent laboriously cleaning can be better spent doing something you enjoy or something more productive. However, you can at least avoid the time it takes to do the tedious and loud vacuuming with smart home technology. Robotic smart vacuums do the dirty work for you, making frequent trips around your home, vacuuming up dirt, debris, pet hair, pet hair, and whatever else that may be lying around before manually returning to their charging stations. Best of all, it doesn’t require any installation. Simply install the charging base, and you’re good to go.
Personal assistants
Personal phone assistants are so 2010. Today, virtual assistants are housed in tiny devices that sit on your kitchen counter or bedside table, allowing you to do everything from sorting groceries to reading to listening to your favourite song on the stereo without having to listen to wherever you are seated. If you want to automate your home and your life, a system like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home can make your day-to-day easier. Just be careful not to allow children to use them, especially if your credit card is attached!
Smart kitchens
Your kitchen can’t cook dinner for you yet, but your fridge can be connected to the internet so you can see what’s inside when you’re in the store or listen to your Spotify playlist while you bake cookies. Add to those smart slow cookers that let you adjust your cooking even when you’re away from the office and smart plates and forks that help you monitor food and calorie intake if you watch what you eat. Forgot to update your shopping list with the essentials? A smart trash can will scan barcodes on boxes of items you throw away and automatically add them to a list for you to take with you.
You can gradually transform your new home into a smart home; you don’t have to go over everything all at once if it’s not in your budget. But as you add more features, you can experience one of the biggest benefits of smart home technology: integration. Many of these smart systems are designed to work together so that your security systems communicate with each other, as do your energy-efficient systems and even your kitchen appliances.
If you’ve dreamed of living in the Maison du Futur, now is the time. Smart home technology has developed at a rapid pace and is fast becoming a more common feature of new homes and older refurbished homes. Explore the options that best suit your home, budget, and lifestyle, and start transforming your home into a place that works with you and for you in your quest for a more efficient life.
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Here are the 5 pros and cons of smart homes.
1. Buying smart home products
Retail therapy is real. You can take advantage of the initial rush of shopping for your smart home. Or expect all the perks that await you in your new automated home experience. The point is, there are two sides to buying these products.
Pro –Smart home products have many advantages, such as automation functions, saving time and money. After a while, you will see the different ways your smart home changes your life.
Con –Smart home products can be expensive. Currently, it is still a premium product. Your budget will suffer after purchasing these products. You need to ensure that buying smart devices is the right financial decision in your own context.
2. Internet connection
The Internet of Things (IoT) supports smart home technology. Smart devices will connect to the internet. Help with your smart home automation. Here are the two sides of this functionality.
Pro– You can integrate the online world with your smart products. Download recipes directly to your kitchen devices. Let me help you cook meals by reading the recipes while you cook them.
Con – The online world can be a dangerous place. Connecting devices to the internet exposes you to the risk of cybercriminals. Some devices do not have dedicated antivirus software. Hence, you need to find additional methods to protect your smart devices. You need to encrypt your network with something like WPA2 to prevent cybercriminals from hacking into your devices.
3. Voice command
One of the biggest trends in smart homes is the ability to voice control. As a result, most customers want voice command support in their smart home products.
Pro -It is really easy to use your devices. The smart speakers will recognize your commands and activate the different devices you need. You can even buy things online just by command from your smart assistant.
Con – Voice control doesn’t always have the best authorization features available (yet). Anyone can use their devices by voice command. People can buy things without their consent. You will need to turn off the settings that allow voice purchases. You have to choose between more automation or simpler, cheaper security measures. The last-mentioned limits its integration.
4. Works with your Wi-Fi
Smart home devices need an internet connection. Most units are wireless. Your Wi-Fi does it all. Help your devices communicate better.
Pro– Having your devices on your Wi-Fi helps integrate your smart home. Devices can communicate faster. Automating your experience is better. Each device does not need its own Internet router. Your Wi-Fi router will work properly.
Con– Data is not free. You will have more devices in your home that connect to the internet. This means that it will use more data. It should be able to handle the new data load. Buying new equipment can get expensive. Or you may need to contact your provider for a better data plan.
5. Central hub for smart home
Smart homes benefit from greater ease of automation with a smart assistant. Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, Apple Siri or Nest. There are many to choose from. Help your devices communicate.
Pro- It will connect all your devices to one platform. You only need to access one platform to control all your smart devices. Help connect devices of different brands. These devices may experience cross-communication difficulties. But a smart home assistant can bridge that gap.
Con- Everything is on one platform. Everything else is compromised when you run into issues on this platform. Smart assistants are not compatible with all available smart products. Your smart assistant will determine which smart devices are compatible. Make sure you buy brands and products that will work together. Essentially, a smart assistant limits your device options.
Count the cost
Smart products will make your life easier. Just make sure you understand the complications that can arise. Then, buy products that promote integration. You don’t want to pay a lot of money and not get any of the benefits of the smart home. Use these tips to set up your Perfect Smart Home Experience.
