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How to make life easier with smart home technology.
You may have heard the term “smart home,” but what does that mean, exactly?
“The definition of smart home varies depending on the person,” says Chris Gray, a sales and design consultant at Audiotronics in Roanoke, who has assisted clients with connecting their homes during his nearly 20 years at the company. “In general, it means you can automate a lot of things and control them, without relying on flipping a switch to do certain things. It’s the connected home.”
A home can be connected via Wi-Fi and/or bluetooth, and phones and tablets can be the main control panels, allowing you to turn on the oven to preheat while still at the soccer field, or check the front porch for that Amazon package, via a connected doorbell with camera.
There are more options for automation and slick technologies than ever before, so read on to get smart.
Light the way
Connected light bulbs are one option for smart lighting that can be integrated into a home’s WiFi. For example, can lights in a ceiling can be synched together to operate via an app, or integrated into one of the many voice-operated devices, like Google Home, or Amazon’s Echo. Imagine saying, “Alexa, dim the lights” and being ready for movie night instantly.
“There’s an enjoyment factor to automation, an ease,” says Mitch DeWeese, a project manager with Sound Decisions. “It’s nice to set the mood in your home with a command or push of a button. When people experience it, they really love it and want more of it.”
Smart light bulbs are available at big box and hardware stores, though be sure to research which brands work with technology you already have, like your Echo or Home device. They can also be app controlled (there are a number of apps available now for this purpose) and can be set to come on and off at certain times of day, or while on vacation to deter burglars.
Smart plugs can help control lamps and plug-in lights, and are a good way for anyone to dip a toe into the smart home waters. They’re inexpensive and simple to install, and can help even the most tech-challenged homeowner get the hang of smart lighting.
Lights can sync with other elements, DeWeese notes, who says his company has set up homes so that when the front door is unlocked at night, indoor lights come on to eliminate fumbling for the light switch.
Smart TVs and Appliances
If you are in the market for a new TV, you have more options than ever. A smart TV has integrated WiFi and interactive features which can allow you to stream music and video, browse the Internet and view photos from your phone or other device.
Smart TVs can eliminate the need for devices like a Roku or Fire TV, simplifying streaming from services like Netflix or Prime. Some smart TVs also allow you to mirror what’s on your phone, tablet or computer to the television screen. So, if you were watching in the Netflix app on your phone, you could walk into your home and mirror it to the TV, never losing your place in the show.
In the kitchen, WiFi-enabled ovens and cooktops can help you control temperature, preheating and cooking time remotely. Stuck in traffic? You can preheat the oven so it’s ready for your pizza when you walk in the door, or you can turn down the heat on soup that’s been simmering on the stove.
Nearly every appliance for home use is being adapted for smart technology, so options continue to flood the market. Heating and cooling systems can be regulated with smart thermostats, like the Ecobee, Nest or Honeywell. The newest models allow you to put sensors in rooms you occupy most frequently, so that the thermostat operates on the basis of where you are in the house, instead of the thermostat’s location.
Home Security and Outdoor
Doorbells like Ring are some of the best known smart products on the market, though a homeowner now has many options for doorbells with a camera to deter porch pirates. It’s a nice feature to check to see if a package has arrived while sitting at work, and cameras can often provide a wider view of the yard and street for enhanced peace of mind. Many allow you to communicate, so you can talk to a delivery man or assure a friend who’s arrived early that you’re on your way to meet them.
Your doorbell isn’t the only connected device for your front door—you can also install a keyless lock that provides both security and flexibility. You can unlock or lock the door from your phone, and many allow you to add permanent or temporary users with a special access code, or set schedules for specific days and times, like for a dog walker.
Sprinklers can be automated too, and can be triggered by other devices, like your connected door lock, so that when you leave your property, your sprinklers can do their job. And the ultimate smart home watchdog? A security system with integrated cameras, like SimpliSafe and Cove, two of the entrants to the now crowded non-contract, DIY home security market.
Whether you hire a company to install every smart device possible, or start with a WiFi plug for your favorite reading light, the newest home technology can help you live better in your abode.
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