Home technology gives homeowners the ability to manage their homes remotely and more efficiently, from turning on the heat before arriving home from work to monitoring security footage and notifying authorities in case of an intrusion – saving both time and money! Smart devices allow homeowners to take control of their living environments remotely while saving both money and time by controlling these functions efficiently.
WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G are among the leading networking technologies used in smart systems, supplemented by mesh network protocols that use nested communication systems to form smart ecosystems.
Security
Home security devices that monitor and respond to threats like an intruder breaking in or fire starting can save lives in an emergency, including calling the police and firefighters if needed. Smart doorbells, cameras and thermostats also can save energy costs by monitoring when users are home or away – saving users money while saving energy!
Some smart devices, including appliances and thermostats, feature self-learning technology to adapt settings or features based on user habits. Furthermore, some come equipped with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant so users can control them hands-free via hands-free commands.
However, as smart home devices rely on live network connections for connectivity and are thus vulnerable to hacking attempts, it is critical that strong passwords be employed when connecting these devices and that any public networks be avoided for optimal protection.
Entertainment
Home technology features often include entertainment options, such as smart speakers, soundbars, TVs and projectors that make relaxing or entertaining at home easier and more enjoyable after a long day. Many have built-in intelligence that connects them wirelessly to a control hub such as Apple HomeKit, Google Home or Amazon Alexa; this then relays commands wirelessly back out. Some are controlled through smartphone apps while others can even take voice command commands directly.
Many smart home products are also designed to conserve energy by automating actions and allowing users to track usage remotely. Furthermore, some smart home technologies allow residents to remotely adjust the interior climate of their residence while other smart innovations allow guests to announce their arrival without touching the doorbell thus eliminating germs from spreading through germs. Such technological innovations make your home more appealing to potential buyers while simultaneously increasing its value when it’s time to sell it.
Appliances
Home appliances are devices used in the household that aid with daily activities. From small devices that help with routine chores to larger machines that help with daily life. There are both electric and non-electric versions, both smart and non-smart options.
Smart appliances boast Internet connectivity that enables them to interact with each other and their owners through a central control system, enabling automation and remote access. Some smart appliances also utilize mesh networking protocols such as Zigbee or Z-Wave for greater connectivity and control.
One such device, a smart thermostat, can even help homeowners reduce energy usage. Controlled remotely through smartphone app and programmed for optimal operation based on local weather conditions, this thermostat offers convenient energy saving capabilities.
Smart lighting technology enables users to control lights and appliances at the touch of a button or voice command, saving both money and energy consumption by only turning on when necessary. Such technologies are most cost-effectively integrated into newly constructed homes than retrofitting existing ones.
Cleanliness
Smart technology continues to increase, including kitchen appliances, home robots and hands free control features for home robotics. Furthermore, there has been growing interest in disinfectant technologies to reduce bacteria and viruses within indoor spaces as well as frequently-used surfaces. These features can especially help those living through pandemics or spending extended time at home, including rental properties with frequent guests visiting.
Although homes might appear energy efficient and environmentally responsible, social scientists have revealed that new technologies and infrastructures that promise to make life more convenient can actually increase expectations of resource use, leading to unsustainable patterns of consumption [15]. Shove points out how cleaning practices promoted by devices such as robovacs can increase resource demands; by studying environmental hot spots of smart home consumption one may identify how shifting conventions of domestic cleanliness could have an effect on energy consumption in future years.
Current energy policies emphasize creating a flexible grid through smart home technologies and battery storage, so consumers can use electricity when they need it and not at peak times when supply and demand must be balanced by the grid. This is of critical importance given current efforts to achieve energy independence through consumer participation in renewables programs such as Energy Star.
