Whether you’re looking to make your home safer, save on energy bills or just make life easier, smart home automation lets you control devices in your home from anywhere using your phone or a smart hub. With such convenience at our fingertips, it’s no wonder that more than half of U.S. households have smart devices, with a penetration rate of over 75% expected by 2028.
In this article, we’ll explore how smart home automation works as well as its features and benefits. We’ll also cover some of the many smart devices that can improve your home’s security, efficiency and convenience and discuss what the future smart home automation may hold.
What is smart home automation, and how does it work?
A smart home uses Internet-connected devices to let the user monitor and manage appliances and systems, like lighting, security systems, thermostats, etc. Smart home automation offers residents security, convenience, and energy efficiency through greater control of these appliances and systems.
Devices can be connected through protocols like Wi-Fi, Zigbee or Z-Wave.
Smart home automation aims to simplify and streamline life by creating a cohesive ecosystem where devices work together to deliver convenience, comfort, and security.
What are the features of smart home technology?
Smart home automation can vary from one home to the next depending on what smart devices you have and what capabilities you’ve enabled. However, general smart home technology features may include:
- Remote control: Smart home automation lets you control your house’s smart devices from anywhere using your phone, tablet, or computer. Depending on your connected devices, this can include turning lights on and off, checking security cameras, adjusting the thermostat, starting a load of laundry and more.
- Automated routines: Smart home systems can automatically do specific tasks based on a schedule or events. For example, you can program a smart plug to turn on a connected lamp at sundown.
- Voice control: Platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other virtual assistant platforms let you control your devices just by talking for hand-free operation.
- Smart monitoring: Sensors placed around your home can determine changes in temperature, motion, humidity, and other factors. You can then be notified of these changes and take action if needed.
- Security and safety: Smart home systems with security cameras, door locks and motion sensors provide instant alerts of suspicious activity to your smartphone or tablet and let you check on your home from anywhere.
- Energy management: Smart home automation systems can help you save energy (and potentially money on your electric bill) by automatically adjusting temperature, lights and appliances based on your preferences when you’re home and away.
What are the advantages of smart home automation?
Though some may not like having so much technology in their home, many others find these devices make life easier. Consumer Affairs reports that 77% of people who own smart devices say the tech has positively impacted their quality of life.
Added convenience, remote control via smartphone, enhanced security and greater control over your home are a few of the many advantages of smart home automation.
The byproducts of having remote access to devices in your home may include additional peace of mind and the potential to conserve energy.
What smart home automation devices do I need?
With the average U.S. household owning 21 connected devices across 13 device categories, you probably already have one or more in your home. Do you need more? It’s all a matter of preference.
The following list includes popular types of smart home automation devices. You might conclude that some on the list would improve your life, or you may be satisfied with what you currently have.
- Home automation hub: A smart hub can be considered the brain of a smart home. It wirelessly connects and controls all your smart devices so they can work together and keep everything running smoothly.
- Smart assistant: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri are a few well-known smart assistants that let you control your home using voice commands. In addition to device control, you can also use them to answer questions and set reminders. Approximately 40% of adults perform Internet searches using their voice daily.
- Smart security system: These systems include cameras, motion sensors, smart locks and alarms that work together to keep your home safe. They let you check in on your home from anywhere and can be set up to send you alerts.
- Smart lighting: Smart lights include LEDs and switches you can control from your phone. You can program them to turn on and off at scheduled times and change the brightness and color to match your mood or activity.
- Smart thermostat: With a smart thermostat, you have control over your heating and air conditioning systems. It can learn your routine and adjust the temperature to save energy and keep you comfortable. You can also change the temperature from your phone when you’re not home.
- Smart appliances: Smart appliances like fridges, clothes washers and dryers, and ovens can also be controlled remotely. Many models let you track energy use, enable custom settings and receive notifications if maintenance or repairs are needed.
- Smart entertainment systems: Smart TVs and speakers can simplify your entertainment experience. You can use voice commands or apps to stream videos, play music and monitor what others are watching in different rooms.
- Smart plugs and outlets: These plugs and outlets turn regular devices into smart ones, allowing you to control the power supply from your phone and set on/off timers.
- Smart blinds and curtains: To save energy, smart blinds or curtains let you schedule open and close times for your window coverings or adjust their position remotely.
These are just some of the popular smart home automation devices used today. Less common smart devices include tea kettles, microwaves, pet feeders, scales and many more.
What’s next for smart home technology?
In addition to becoming more ubiquitous, smart home devices will surely develop and improve in the future. Two important initiatives revolve around connectivity between brands and cybersecurity.
Getting everyone on the same page
Matter, a standard for smart home tech that lets devices from different brands connect and communicate with other Matter-compliant devices, has made smart home automation much easier for the average homeowner to implement. You don’t necessarily have to stick with one brand for all your home automation needs — you can mix and match devices with various voice assistants and applications.
More than 170 organizations developed the Matter standard. In 2022, half a million Matter-compliant devices were in the market, and 5 million are expected to be in customer hands by 2025.
Making sure devices are secure
The U.S. is trying to create cybersecurity criteria for companies to follow to increase consumer protection. The “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark” is a voluntary program, but big players like Amazon, Google, LG Electronics USA and Samsung have all agreed to participate.
Uniting electricity plans with smart home technology
Retail electricity providers (REPs) have been getting into the mix of smart home automation for years, including offering plans that come with smart thermostats. It was a natural fit to help consumers become more aware of their energy usage and encourage energy efficiency through automation.
Now, some REPs have started collaborating with home automation companies for different services. For example, Reliant Energy, Green Mountain Energy, Direct Energy, Cirro Energy and Discount Power have all partnered with Vivint® Smart Home Security to offer savings on things like home security and smart home automation systems. It’s the next logical step in creating a seamless experience between smart devices and the energy that powers them.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about smart home automation and today’s technology, you can decide whether or not to add other smart devices to your home. Whatever you choose, you can shop and enroll in an energy plan that’s right for your home and usage habits by visiting Everything Energy.