The concept of a smart home – a home connected by technology that provides additional efficiency and convenience– is not new. However, with smart speakers, smart locks and thermostats becoming much more accessible and prevalent, the concept of a connected home is no longer just an idea. Even those who live in areas without cable internet providers can turn their houses into smart homes by connecting with satellite internet.
Entertainment
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers can play your music playlists, the radio, or other podcasts or programs when you ask them to. However, these speakers are no longer just for music. You can use your smart speaker to do a number of things such as add to your grocery list, read recipes, set timers, ask questions or perform other tasks that you typically wouldn’t be able to do hands free. Speakers like the Echo Dot, the Facebook Portal or Sonos can connect to your internet service to coordinate everything you need. Not only do these speakers help when it comes to entertainment, but they help you complete more tasks at home.
Access Control and Security
Smart locks
Smart locks serve a variety of purposes, from the ability to let your child in the house when they get home from school to allowing your neighbor to bring in your mail when you’re away.
Coded locks (which don’t require an internet connection) can be incredibly helpful and convenient for homeowners, but smart locks can make things even more convenient. With an internet connection, you can see who’s at the door before letting them in.
Video Doorbell
Video doorbells are similar to smart locks. If you’re away for much of the day and want to see what’s going on around your house – cleaners or dog walkers or just video of your online deliveries showing up, you can get video from your doorbell sent straight to your phone. These recorded videos are also stored and easily shareable in case you need to share them with the police or others. When someone comes into view of the doorbell, you can have the technology send you notifications so you can check to see what’s going on, even when you’re away.
Security cameras or motion sensors
Security cameras have been around for longer than most smart technology. Many companies are now connecting them to the internet so you can get a view of home from anywhere – not just from the tape in a closed system. Connecting smart cameras or motion sensors to your internet service can give you access to a livestream of your home wherever you are.
Cost Saving Efficiency
Smart thermostat
Smart thermostats are normal thermostats that work with an internet connection to help you save on your energy costs. These thermostats such as Nest and Honeywell learn from your normal heating and cooling preferences. They can operate more efficiently when you’re not in the house – whether at work or on vacation. With a smart thermostat, you can also access remotely. So you can do things like turn the air conditioning down before you get home or turn the heat up so that your pipes don’t freeze while you’re on vacation.
Smart lights
Smart lights can also help you save money and energy by only turning on when you need them. You can turn your lights on or off when you’re away, or simply dim the lights for a movie without getting up.
Smart home technology is now accessible to everyone because of internet providers who operate outside of the reach of cable. Even those without traditional cable or DSL service can now connect via satellite internet. You can connect your home to experience the convenience and peace of mind of a smart home today.
