Across the globe, households are shifting towards a more technology-filled lifestyle combining the latest gadgets with ultimate convenience.Homes installed with this technology are known as ‘smart homes’ and they’re rapidly growing in popularity because of their advanced safety features as well as the fact they give the owner the ability to monitor and adjust their household settings from anywhere in the world.Remote controlled lights, heating systems, plug sockets, sensors, security cameras and speaker systems are just some of the things you can buy to transform your house or flat into a smart home. All of these pieces of kit are controlled via an app or Bluetooth from your smartphone or tablet.
“We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it factorial non.” Delbart Calibo
Home automation has been around for a while, so it’s not exactly new. However, it’s only just started to take off and that’s down to a range of factors.
1.Convenience
We’re all working longer hours giving us less time to spend on menial tasks, so being able to do household chores like turn the washing machine on or do the dishes while at work means that more time is available to really relax at home. With smart plugs, you can turn off anything that you might have accidentally left on, putting your mind at ease while also saving a tedious trek back home to flick a switch.
2. Added Security
One of the major selling points of smart homes is that they are safer. Installing a full smart-security system will leave you reassured that, should a window or door open after you’ve left the house, you will be notified. New technology has allowed for smart locks to enter the consumer market, these allow you to remotely control who can enter your home should you not be around, the system is able to limit their access by only opening certain doors. This is especially useful if you’re having work done and a contractor needs access, but you’re unable to take the time off work to see them in and out.
3. Make It Yours
The great thing about smart home technology is that you can mix and match the elements that are most suitable to you and your house, should you not want to invest in a fully-kitted-out package straight away. For example, you might just want to buy a censor to keep an eye on your dog while you’re at work. If you live in a relatively insecure area and don’t feel the need to invest in a large security system, you could install automatic lighting so if you were to be away from the house for more than a few days, you can programme certain rooms to be illuminated, imitating someone being in the house.
4. Going Green
Modern technology is more energy efficient and kinder to the planet than before. The reduced running costs mean homeowners save a lot of money, which is something that has helped to dramatically increase the popularity of these items. Small solar and wind energy kits are available to buy so that if you don’t have the money to invest in roof panels or large generators, you can still save money by purchasing a smaller version.
5. Accessible Pricing
Home automation used to be extremely expensive making it affordable to only a select few. Nowadays, as the demand has increased and more companies are releasing products into the market, the cost has decreased making this tech more accessible to a wider consumer base.
With all technology, the more people that want it and use it, the more it can be improved, and while the automated-home dream where all your appliances magically do everything without you having to lift a finger is still a long way off, making the changes available today allows you to cross-out some of the most mundane tasks in day-to-day life, making it just that little bit easier!