The most common home automation devices are:
- Dimmers
- Switches
- Outlets
- Sensors
- Timers
Within the category are four main device types:
- In-wall devices
- Plug-in devices
- Screw-in devices
- Wire-in devices
What is the most popular home automation system?
According to Techradar.com, here are the best home automation systems at a glance:
- Amazon Echo
- Google Nest Hub
- Wink Hub 2
- Samsung SmartThings
- Apple HomeKit
As of this writing, Amazon Echo is the most popular hub system that gives top-notch home automation services.
It’s not easy for a homeowner to learn how to automate the home themselves. It takes time and patience to search for what is available in automation, what can be done with it, and the most cost-effective way of going about doing it.
Hiring an experienced company brings home automation to the forefront of technology. They will have their technical staff to help you figure out possible solutions with your home’s layout, electrical systems, and remote-control options.
Professional companies are not going to install anything until they know exactly what it will do, how it works, and whether or not it will work with other devices that are already installed.
What is a home automation system?
Home automation is a network of hardware, communication, and electronic interfaces that work to integrate everyday devices with one another via the Internet. Each device has sensors and is connected through WiFi, so you can manage them from your smartphone or tablet whether you’re at home or miles away.
There are many different types of home automation devices and systems on the market, but they all typically fall into one of four categories: energy management, security and surveillance, lighting and appliance control, or entertainment and comfort.
- Energy management systems help you keep track of your energy usage and costs to make informed decisions about how to conserve energy and save money.
- Security and surveillance systems give you peace of mind by keeping an eye on your home even when you’re not there. They can include motion-activated cameras, door and window sensors, and alarms that notify you if something is amiss.
- Lighting and appliance control systems let you control the lights, appliances, and HVAC in your home with the touch of a button. This can help you save energy and money and make your home more comfortable.
- Entertainment and comfort systems create a more relaxing, enjoyable home environment. They can include features like surround sound, climate control, and smart TVs.
Most home automation systems include some combination of these four control types, but many other specialized devices and systems are available. The key objective when hiring a pro is to decide which kind of home automation is right for your needs.
How do I turn my home into a smart home?
Locks, thermostats, outlets, lightbulbs, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are just a few examples. In addition, smart vacuums and robot vacuums, sprinklers, pet feeders, and even garage doors are becoming increasingly popular as well.
There are a lot of different types of control systems when it comes to home automation. Here are some of the most common:
- Personal assistants
The era of mobile phone-based personal assistants is long gone. Instead, today’s virtual helpers are housed in tiny devices that you can place on your kitchen counter or nightstand, allowing you to perform all sorts of tasks from ordering your groceries to putting your favorite song on the stereo without getting up from where you’re sitting.
A system like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home can make your daily routine a lot easier if you’re trying to automate your home and life. Just be careful with letting youngsters use them, especially if you have your credit card linked!
- Smart kitchens
Your kitchen isn’t quite able to cook your dinner for you yet, but you may check what’s in your fridge when you’re at the market or blast your Spotify playlist as you bake cookies using your refrigerator’s internet connection. To that, add smart slow cookers that allow you to make adjustments while you’re out at the workplace and intelligent plates and cups that can weigh your food.
Have you ever forgotten to update your grocery list with the necessities? A smart garbage can will scan barcodes on the boxes of things you’re tossing out and add them to a list that you may take with you.
- Smart security
Keep an eye on things at home while you’re away by using a home security system that integrates with your smartphone. For example, you can get real-time alerts if someone opens a door or window or if the motion detectors sense movement in a room.
You can even keep an eye on things when you’re not there by setting-up live streaming of your home’s interior and exterior cameras. Some systems will also record footage so you can review it later if there’s an incident.
- Smart lighting
Control your home’s lighting using your smartphone, tablet, or voice-activated assistant. For example, you can set up scenes that turn multiple lights on at once or schedule lights to turn on and off at certain times of the day.
You can also use smart lighting to save energy. For example, you can dim your lights when you’re not in the room or have them turn off automatically after a certain amount of time.
- Smart appliances
If your appliances aren’t already smart, they will be soon. Many newer appliances come equipped with WiFi connections and companion apps that let you do things like start and stop the dishwasher or dryer from your phone.
You can also get alerts if your appliance is left on after you’ve left the house or if it’s malfunctioning. Plus, many newer appliances come with built-in sensors that measure things like water use and energy consumption so you can track how much your household is spending on utilities.
- Home entertainment
You can now control your home entertainment system using your voice, smartphone, or tablet. For example, you can use your phone to turn on the TV, change the channel, adjust the volume, or record your favorite show.
If you have a gaming console, you can also stream movies and TV shows from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. And if you have a sound system, you can use it to play music from your phone or stream audio from internet radio stations.
- Smart home hubs
A smart home hub is a device that allows you to control all of your other smart devices using a single app or interface. Many of them also work with voice-activated assistants like Alexa and Google Home, so you can control your home’s appliances and features using only your voice.
- Voice-activated assistants
These allow you to control various aspects of your home using only your voice. Popular examples include Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and Apple’s Siri.
- Smartphones and tablets
You can use your phone or tablet to control everything from your home’s lighting to your security system. Many manufacturers also have their own apps that work with their products.
What are the most common control types in home automation?
Automation technologies allow you to operate your house from anywhere and at any time, making tasks easier by taking care of repetitive chores such as energy management, security and surveillance, lighting and appliance control systems, entertainment and comfort systems (sound, climate control, and smart TVs).
In conclusion, home automation is a valuable advantage because it simplifies your tech life and helps it be more efficient to focus on more essential things.