The future of the household seems almost certain to involve some type of manifestation of the internet of things (IoT). In practice, this is bound to mean a smart home complete with appliances and devices all linked together in a network, connected to information available on the wider internet, and making use of all types of sensors and AI in order to automate as much as possible.
To imagine what this might be like, think of climate control that reacts automatically to temperature changes, fridges that send you an alert when they are getting empty, and security features that can allow you to control, remotely, who enters your home or visits your property. However, for all but the very well-off, it would be fair to say that we are not there yet.
Indeed, the smart automation of the home is an ongoing process, taking the form of innovative technologies that gradually become more commonplace around the home. Some of these technologies are brand new whereas others are high-tech updates of technology that have been common around the household for decades.
For example, there are new USB-C 9v rechargeable smart batteries (among many form factors), doing much the same thing as traditional 9v, AA, and AAA household batteries, but lasting for much longer and reporting their charge status by means of a smart battery management system.
Pale Blue Earth, a company producing such batteries, says that such technology has become very affordable and increasingly popular. And this is how the smart automated home is normally created – one new technology at a time.
Going Smart on a Budget
This is good news for anybody who wishes to create a smart home but doesn’t have the funds for a complete overhaul with all the latest technology. By making judicious choices regarding what technology to install, it is very possible to gradually make your home “smarter”.
The homes of the future seem certain to take this form, but for most people, the transition will not be so sudden.
Tips for Building Your Smart Home
It would be impossible to create a fully comprehensive list of how to build your smart home as much will depend upon the home in question, your budget, and, of course, your personal preferences. Nevertheless, here follows some tips and technologies that can take you some the way.
Install Smart Smoke Alarms
It is wise to prioritize safety for anybody building a smart home. This is not only because home safety is so important, but also because the technologies required are affordable and widely available.
A special mention certainly goes to smart smoke alarms. These alarms can distinguish between dangerous smoke and that coming from harmless sources (such as cooking, or a cigarette being smoked). Such alarms can also be integrated into a wider smart home safety system.
Install Smart Lighting
There are two benefits here. Firstly, your home’s lighting can be automated and controlled remotely, which saves energy by ensuring lights are off during the day. Smart lighting systems also make use of energy-saving bulbs, which can reduce your energy bills too.
Install a Smart Hub
This might not be the first thing you do, but it is necessary if a truly integrated smart home is going to be created. The smart hub is where all the home’s smart devices are connected and controlled. The smart home is about smart technology, but it is also about the integration of that technology.
As time passes and more and more new technologies become available (and for less cost), the average homeowner can certainly get on the path to creating an integrated smart home – one thing at a time.
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