Building a smart home nowadays is not nearly as difficult or complicated as it used to be. It’s easy, if you start it bit by bit. Selection of the features that ideally befitting your needs and are affordable is the key. With smart home configuration, you can automate almost anything in your home these days, including toilet, shower, or even duvet.
Here are some quick and easy smart home wins:
1. Voice controlled smart speaker
Smart speakers are one of such gadgets that allow us to interface with many connected devices. There are certain mobile apps which support their function Ex: Siri for Apple’s Homepod, Amazon Alexa, Google Home are some of the more popular ones. They can be connected to TV’s, AC’s, Fan’s allowing you to control devices with your voice. Amazon Alexa even helps place online orders for groceries with just a loud thought!
2. Smart lighting
Smart bulbs can be used as energy savers, alarm (security), reduce your risk to access inconceivably located switch and even to change colors according to your mood. All you have to do is replace the bulbs you already have with smart bulbs. You will need to fix a hub connected to a router via ethernet, can install around 50 bulbs in a single hub. Ex: Hue lights by Philips.
3. Smart plugs
A smart plug is an adapter that turns your simple appliances into smart appliances. The smart plug uses WiFi to give you control of the device from anywhere, through an app. Above all, it helps you to operate your coffee vending machine to your TV remotely.
4. Smart security devices
When we think of home security, first thing that comes to our mind are CCTV camera systems but there are a few with some additional features.
Smart Doorbells: The system monitor’s your doorstep using a camera and an in-app calling feature that uses two-way audio and one-way video. However the most popular smart doorbells use motion sensors to notify you when someone’s at your door and lets you replay footage. Ex: i-smart Alarms, Ring etc.
Fire Alarms: These systems monitor your entire housing circuits and kitchen and other workshop areas, which prevents accidental fire and records and above all intimates the local authorities with your sanction through an app, thus keeping you and your home smart and safe.
5. Smart thermostats
These devices allow you to control the room temperature from wherever you are. In addition, it helps to avoid human error and thus energy savings.
6. IFTTT lets you add an extra layer to your smart home
The name “IFTTT” stands for “IF This Then That.” IFTTT helps to try and connect applications in more creative ways, depending on your personal needs.
After all, it can make pairing two smart devices that aren’t specifically designed to work together and pair it in a virtually seamless way. Like automatically light the way for the pizza delivery guy
In addition, you could have your devices work based on social media notifications, weather conditions etc!
Share your experiences with smart home devices below.