Years ago, science predicted that the electric home of the future would have an automatic dishwasher and an electric stove that would eventually become remote controlled. Today, those predictions are coming true.
There are refrigerators that can message you a shopping list and stoves that you can turn off from the airport if you forgot to in your haste to make it to your flight. You can order groceries to be delivered to your doorstep as you cook using your Amazon Echo. You can even tell your Google Home to run your robotic vacuum cleaner.
Smart home features are big on the holiday shopping lists this year, so this year might end up being the year we are all living in the home of the future.
How To Turn Home Into A Smart Home
So, how do you get started creating a smart home for yourself?
There is a multitude of options out there. You have to start by figuring out just exactly what you want your smart home to be able to do. Some of the possibilities include:
- Thermostats that learn and save you money
- Locks that can be controlled by an app
- Security cameras that allow you to talk to and see who is at the door
- Robotic vacuum cleaners you can start remotely
- Ovens that can be preheated remotely
- Lights that can be turned on and off with your phone
- Window coverings that can be raised and lowered from your device
- Mattresses that track your sleep
- Music that can be paused in one room and resumed in another
First, start by deciding which features are most important to you. The good news is that most systems are compatible with each other. So, even if you start off controlling everything through your Nest thermostat, you can add on a Google Home or Alexa later to expand your home’s capabilities.
If Security Is Your Main Concern
If this is the case, one of the easiest ways to get started is with the Nest system. With it, your smart thermostat will not only help you save money but it can also allow you to set your lights on a timer or connect them to your doorbell camera.
If you can turn on the lights when someone rings your doorbell even when you’re not at home, then you’re going to have greater peace of mind about your home’s security. You can also set your locks to give people temporary access to your home while you’re gone and monitor when they come and go.
If Convenience Is Your Thing
Alexa and Google Home are both great options for making your life easier. Both can order things for you with simple commands, like “Alexa, add butter to the shopping list.”
Both systems can connect to an iRobot vacuum cleaner, so you can start the vacuum remotely or with a voice command. You can also ask both systems to preheat your oven or run the dishwasher with compatible appliances, play relaxing music when you need to unwind, and many other things.
Smart Home Tech Is Catching On
In 2016, 45% of homeowners installed at least one smart home feature. Security and safety equipment are some of the most popular options, followed by entertainment, climate control, and lighting.
But just a year later, the possibilities have grown substantially. You can make your smart home tech work for you and take a lot of the load off yourself. And with all the security tech, you could find yourself saving money on your homeowner’s insurance, too!
Men, Millennials, and the wealthy are the groups most likely to adopt this tech. In fact, more than a third of men want or plan to get smart home tech compared with just over a quarter of women. People between 18 to 34 years old lead the market in smart home tech adoption as do those with incomes over $100,000 a year.
Every day you have to make around 35,000 decisions. Wouldn’t it be nice if your home can take out a good chunk out of that number? It’s so simple you don’t even need instructions to get started most of the time. Learn more about the smart home of the future from this infographic!
