Why Smart Homes are the Future

As a society, we are always looking for the next best thing – from clothes to cars, and now to what’s in our houses. Smart homes are becoming ever-more popular, with demand on the rise in this golden age of technology development!

Home appliances and furnishings many years ago were made using purely practical pieces of technology such as a simple light switch, a corded telephone, big bulky machinery for things such as coffee making, televisions and security systems. But things have changed!

Smart home automation is on the rise, with around 2.2 million homes in the UK classed as ‘smart homes’. We are seeing new and improved technologies become integrated into modern homes to provide a seamless and beneficial user experience.

What is a smart home?

You might be wondering what makes a home a smart home, and what qualifies as a ‘smart’ home, so here’s a quick definition to bring you up to speed:

A smart home is a home that is equipped with devices that are linked to a control system that manages the lighting, heating, and other electronic devices – these devices are used to automate tasks and provide remote access for the user. Remote access can be provided in several ways; in the home on a control panel, using a remote, using voice commands, using an application on your smartphone or tablet.

Why are smart homes the future?

Statistics show that there will be around 75.4 billion gadgets linked to the internet by the end of 2025. With technology advancing at such a rapid pace it is inevitable that in the not-so-distant future the majority of homes will be using smart home technology in some form or another.

There are so many ways our lives are already intertwined with technology, and for the most part it has been for the better. To think that over the next few years we will see even more advancements in smart home technology is such an exciting prospect.

Benefits of a smart home

Smart home devices are designed for the purpose of bringing users convenience and practicality, so the benefits of having a fully automated smart home are endless:

Interconnectivity – managing all smart home devices from one place

If you’ve decked out your entire home with smart technology then one of the biggest benefits is having control over all of the devices from one place. The convenience factor of interconnected devices is enormous.

All users have to do is get to grips with how to use one single app on your smartphone or tablet, and from there they can tap into the endless functions of each and every device throughout their home.

Smart homes bring flexibility

A fantastic feature of smart home systems is that they tend to be extremely flexible when it comes to the addition of any new devices and appliances. It would be wasteful to have a smart home system that becomes obsolete when newer technologies emerge – something of which is inevitable.

Newer and better technologies will always be in production, therefore the system must be flexible to enable users to add devices or technologies wherever and whenever they need.

Level up security with smart home features

Security is something that should not be compromised on, smart homes see homeowners installing top of the range security systems with monitored surveillance cameras, motion sensors, automated doors and gates.

Security systems alone host a whole range of benefits for users, but the use of them in a smart home is made easy with access to functions from one device that controls all other features in the house. Each user can opt in for security alerts to be sent straight to their mobile device wherever they are when the alarm system is set or if motion sensors are triggered in real time. A secure home security system is an absolute necessity for some families and gives them peace of mind that their property is in safe hands.

Increased energy efficiency with smart appliances

More recently energy efficient smart home devices have been all the rage – smart home devices such as thermostats and kitchen appliances are made to be highly efficient as they can automatically adjust to changing energy needs. Many smart home devices can detect inefficiencies so electricity, water and gas waste can be minimised, thus heavily reducing your energy consumption.

Improved appliance functionality

Smart home appliances are designed to make your life easier, using AI technology and data analysis of user behaviours over time your devices will enable you to run your household better.

Smart TV’s will suggest the best apps and channels to locate your favourite programmes. Smart ovens will help you to never ruin a chicken dinner again! A designer home cinema and audio system helps to manage your film and music collection seamlessly by producing categories for different occasions and moods – a perfect addition when entertaining guests!

Ultimately, having automated smart home appliances will help to improve your appliances’ effectiveness – making your life much easier and way more enjoyable.

Home management insights

Smart home automation also means a smarter way of living for the homeowner. The ability to set TV time limits, monitor the food cooked in your oven and kept in your fridge, the energy consumption habits of the whole household room by room – all allow the homeowner to use this data to analyse their personal habits and behaviours and make the appropriate adjustments to live a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.

Customisation of smart technology

Almost all smart home devices are customisable, allowing users to change them to meet their preferences. For example, a smart thermostat allows users to modify the temperature of their home based on both personal preferences and local weather conditions – ensuring comfort for the user but also being energy conscious and efficient.

Motion detection activation

Having motion detection in your home is a technology that saves time, energy, memory and storage by capturing any suspicious activity within the home or outdoor areas when motion detection is activated. This technology allows homeowners to be alerted on their mobile phone of any activity when they’re away from the home, giving them peace of mind that their home is safe and secure.

Real time updates for appliance safety

Homeowners are able to protect their home from the dangers of leaving on a hot cooker, grill, oven, or tap by implementing a smart oven or automatic appliance shut offs. This technology provides real time monitoring of appliances and detects when there has been no activity or movement for a period of time and will automatically shut off, preventing leaks, fires, and flooding in the home.

Again, you can receive real time mobile alerts through your systems appliance and leak detection/sensors to avoid any costly damages before they happen.

Smart homes step up your entertainment game!

One of the most significant benefits of having a smart home is the ease of entertaining – having smart devices with voice control such as an Amazon Alexa sound system, or the ability to change the light settings without having to move from your seat, appliance controlled timers to avoid having to constantly check on dinner.

Smart home products

There are a whole range of different smart home technologies that can be implemented to make your home smarter, safer and more efficient.

• Smart speaker examples: Sonos One, Amazon Echo, Apple Homepod
• Smart lighting examples: Philips Hue, LIFX bulbs, Logitech Litra Glow
• Smart security system examples: ADT, Yale
• Smart appliance examples: Smarter Coffee Machine, Samsung Family Hub refrigerator
• Smart heating and A/C examples: Nest thermostat

Which products are right for your home?

Knowing which product to buy and how much of your home to implement smart technologies can be tricky if you’re not familiar with different tech brands or what each technology can offer you.

Here at Trusted Technology we have a team of knowledgeable experts who can help you to transform your home with smart technology. We will listen to your needs and work with you to get the best products suited to your requirements to ensure you get the best user experience from your products.

How to make your home a smart home

Turning your ‘normal’ home into a smart home can actually be pretty easy and can be done by just adding a few simple but effective features of smart technology.

One of the most common smart home features is the use of voice assistant speaker devices. These are a relatively easy way of integrating smart technology within your home to make use of the several features they offer, which include: playing music or podcasts, creating to-do lists, weather forecasting, reminders, general internet queries.

However just adding this one feature to your home will not give you the full smart home experience that provides ease and convenience in almost everything you do.

You should assess the areas of the home where you feel you need it most and where you will get the most use out of it, as well as considering who in the house will make use of it. For example, if you have a big family it is likely that you will make more use of multiple smart home devices than a household of two.

Here are several ways you can have a full smart home integration:

• Smart speakers
• Smart security system
• Smarter bulbs that can be adjusted remotely
• Thermostats for getting the temperature absolutely perfect every time
• Surveillance cameras for the utmost safety and security
• Smart cleaners and hoovers
• Smart kitchen appliances for better cooking experiences

• Smoke and leak detectors
• Smart TVs and media for your entertainment

Professional smart home installation

To fully integrate smart technology into your home, professional smart home installation is required. Many people chose to add the odd smart device here and there, but if you’re truly looking to upgrade your home, leave it to the experts!

Working with technology designers and electrical engineers will ensure that the most suitable technology for your space is recommended and perfectly installed.