Collaborative Post¦ With so much tech at our fingertips, it’s no surprise that our homes have become something that we can optimise with clever systems that even 20 years ago many of us could never have even dreamed of.
Smart home upgrades are not just about luxury, but also about boosting efficiency, saving energy, and enhancing convenience; in this article, we’ll be looking at some of the home technology that’s making our lives more efficient.
Understanding smart home technology
Smart technology is a form of home automation which allows you to remotely control devices and systems within your home using Wi-Fi. Turning on the lights, heating, and even the kettle, could be just a few clicks away on your smartphone, with elements such as home security cameras also easily managed from the palm of your hand.
One of the main benefits of smart home technology is the impressive energy efficiency. For example, smart thermostats can adjust your heating to suit the time of day and how many of you are in the home, and smart lighting systems can adjust lighting based on the amount of natural light available. In a time where energy bills are sky high, savings that this can achieve really matter.
Top smart home upgrades
Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats such as those produced by Nest and Hive are very clever indeed, not only allowing you to control your home’s heating and cooling remotely, but working intuitively to save you money on your energy bills. On a basic level, you can set the schedule for your heating far easier through an app that connects to your thermostat, and adjust it there further if necessary.
Taking it a step further, though, smart thermostats can actually ‘learn’ your schedule, understanding how long your home takes to heat up, what temperatures you prefer, and working to counteract sudden influxes of cold air.
Smart lighting systems
Smart lighting systems and switches connect to the fixtures and lightbulbs within your home to allow you to control your illuminations from your smartphone, or through voice commands. These systems, such as those produced by Philips Hue, can be used to turn lights off when they’re not in use, and dimmed to conserve energy when there’s more natural light, again saving energy bills – they’re pretty handy for impressing your friends, too!
Air source heat pumps
Moving on to something a little more tangible, the likes of air source heat pumps are becoming seen as the future of efficient home technology, by replacing the traditional gas boiler systems. These air source heat pumps cleverly transfer heat from the air outside to provide heating (and cooling, when required), within the home, significantly reducing the use of gas, and the amount you pay for your energy – it’s very good news for the environment too!
To make the modern air source heat pumps even more convenient, they can be integrated with smart thermostats for optimal control within your home.
Smart plugs
These plug socket adapters allow you to control plug-in devices with an app or your voice, which is helpful for those with mobility issues in the case of hard-to-reach sockets, or if you simply want to set a schedule for one particular light when you’re out.
Smart home security
From doorbells to security cameras, keeping an eye on your home, both inside and out, has never been easier. Smart home security allows you to use motion sensors, smart locks, and security cameras, monitoring and controlling them remotely.
How to get started with smart home upgrades
It can be tempting to get all the gadgets for your home, but spending money in this way could be counterintuitive – you want these devices to save you money in the long run. We’d suggest starting by prioritising your needs, and assessing areas of your home where efficiency can be most improved, whether this be lighting, heating, or security.
Then, work out what you can reasonably afford, and start upgrading gradually, getting the help of experts where necessary (air source heat pumps, for example, can only be handled by qualified installers).
To conclude
Smart home technology has the potential to revolutionise your home’s efficiency and comfort, as well as making things far more convenient for you. Start with one upgrade and gradually build up your smart home for long-term savings and convenience.
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash