The Benefits of Smart Home Technology
Whether it’s the ringing of a video doorbell or being able to monitor a security camera remotely, smart technology is making our lives easier.
Using apps to control devices, they can be programmed to follow schedules or respond to voice commands. They can also analyze data to automate and conserve energy.
Increased Convenience
Homeowners benefit from a variety of convenience features that smart home technology provides. From remotely accessing their security systems and turning on lights with voice commands, to ensuring their elderly loved ones are getting in and out of the house safely with video doorbells, it’s a great way to save time.
A smart thermostat, for instance, can learn your family’s habits and adjust according to your schedule. It also monitors energy use and helps homeowners reduce their utility bills with features like occupancy sensors. Smart sprinklers can conserve water and avoid overwatering by adjusting when to run based on weather conditions.
Other features allow homeowners to get in and out of the house safely with remote locking, check who’s at the door before answering it with a video doorbell, turn on a TV by simply saying their name, or view real-time activity through cameras on their property. The possibilities are endless!
Increased Security
Whether you’re worrying about whether your teenage kids shut the door or turned off the oven, or you’ve had a busy day at work and aren’t sure whether you locked the front door, smart technology makes it possible to check on things remotely. You can unlock your doors, see who’s at the door via cameras, monitor lighting and even your heating from a smartphone app.
Many connected products are programmable and can be scheduled to start and stop on specific times, so you can keep your home at just the right ambience. For instance, you can set a routine to turn on lights and play music at a certain time in the morning, or at sunset. The possibilities are endless! Many smart home devices are also designed to be user-friendly and can be operated via voice. This can be helpful for people with disabilities or chronic health conditions who find it difficult to physically interact with products and technology in their home.
Reduced Energy Bills
Many smart home devices are designed to be energy-efficient and help homeowners save money. For example, smart thermostats can monitor occupancy and automatically adjust settings to reduce energy consumption, while connected water, HVAC, and household lighting systems can also save money by turning on and off at scheduled times or in response to environmental factors. Check to see if your home protection plan insurance or warranty package covers your home system.
Smart security devices, like doorbells with integrated video capabilities, allow homeowners to remotely check in on kids, elderly loved ones and pets. Some even dispense treats or track motion. Connected lawn and garden tools let residents schedule and remotely water their plants, while smart baby monitors and remote caregiving hubs keep an eye on babies, toddlers and older adults.
Smart home technology offers a wide range of benefits including convenience, ultimate cost savings, wellness and safety. Before making a purchase, however, homeowners should do their homework and read objective information from trusted sources like Wirecutter or the Consumer Reports website.
Improved Health
Homeowners can control lighting, climate, multi-media, security and windows and doors via smart technology. Smart tech also enables automation and voice commands.
It’s no secret that people’s home environments shape their health. That’s why smart homes are incorporating health-boosting features. Examples include smart coffee makers that brew a cup at a pre-programmed time; refrigerators that track food expiration dates and suggest recipes; and smart dishwashers that monitor wash cycles to ensure that dishes are rinsed thoroughly to reduce bacteria.
Another growing smart home trend, accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, is adaptive devices for elderly and disabled residents. For example, touchless doorbells allow guests to announce their arrival without touching a shared surface that could spread germs. And smart blinds are able to adjust based on sunlight movement, to limit harmful glare and protect flooring, furniture and artwork from sun damage. Then there’s remote health monitoring, which can keep track of daily changes for users or caregivers and alert them if something unusual occurs.