An Introduction to Smart Home Installation
Smart Home Automation
If you’re curious about smart home automation, you’ve likely heard of it and have at least a basic understanding of what it involves. You may even own one or two smart devices such as a smart plug, smart bulbs or a speaker like the Amazon Echo. This is home automation, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg for what is possible. Smart homes are capable of so much more, so if you want a really smart life, this article will help you’ll find out all about the different capabilities of smart home automation.
What are Smart Home Systems?
Smart home automation is the intelligent integration of technology within the home. It aims to simplify or streamline home life along with its mundane processes, connecting all your devices for a seamless user experience. With smart home automation, you can control numerous aspects of your home such as heating, lighting and security from a single device or app.
What Do You Need for a Smart Home System?
To truly enjoy smart home automation to the full, you’ll need a single smart home automation system. This smart home hub connects all your smart home technology including smart lights, smart locks, smart blinds, heating, security and more. With everything connected to one network, the compatible smart home devices can interact with each other and all be controlled from a single point – a smartphone, a tablet or a wall panel. With a smart speaker, it’s much more convenient than managing each device individually.
The Benefits of Connecting Your Smart Home Gadgets
For example, imagine you are driving back home with your family. You’re about a mile away and, thanks to your smartphone, your house knows you are coming. Thanks to your smart home technologies and your mobile device the thermostat switches on to 20 degrees, the security system disarms itself and the lights in the house switch on ready for your arrival. As you arrive the electric gates part and the garage door opens, allowing you to drive straight in. You haven’t pressed a single button – this is a smart home control sequence you’ve set up, and it runs automatically. That’s the magic of smart home automation.
The smart home automation capabilities of your own home will depend upon the type of systems and smart gadgets you get installed. Let’s look at some automation systems that work with smart home controls.
Visual Systems
With smart home automation equipment, you can really improve your entertainment experience. Firstly, having all of your screens connected to the same network means you have full control over what each screen is showing. This is ideal for families who like to keep an eye on what their children are watching.
Connection to the same system as your security means that you’re able to quickly and easily access all of your CCTV feeds too.
Along with greater control over your viewing experience, you can also benefit from space-saving features. TVs, projectors and screens can be concealed within the home for a less cluttered space and then be automated to emerge when required. This allows you to experience high-end visual quality without compromising on interior design.
A TV or projector is, of course, incomplete without a great sound system…
Smart Speakers
You may have a smart speaker that allows you to use voice control to access smart technology and the internet. But did you know that you can connect these smart devices to other home systems?
Smart speakers enable access to a variety of music streaming services as well as being able to play your own music library. The sound will be projected through your speaker system for a perfect surround sound experience.
When all of your audio equipment is connected to the same network, it’s incredibly easy to play the same sound throughout the house, or have the sound follow you.
Control is straightforward as most smart home audio systems will wirelessly connect with your smartphone audio, including streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music.
Audio quality depends on the type of speakers you choose, but for a full smart home automation system, we don’t advise skimping on the sound quality. With SMS you can choose from a Bronze, Silver or Gold package of Sonance speakers. Each package offers different levels of sound quality and affordability but regardless of which one you choose or where you install them, they are properly equipped to work with a smart home automation system and with the rest of your devices, including a home cinema.
Heating Systems
Smart home automation equipment allows you to have much more control over your heating and air conditioning systems. Whilst smart metres are an effective method of monitoring energy costs on your heating, a discrete smart home heating control system allows you to adjust the heating under certain conditions.
For example, a smart home heating system can be programmed to switch on automatically when you’re returning home or switch off in certain rooms when there’s no one using them. Smart thermostats can also learn your temperature preferences and adjust the heating accordingly.
It’s not just about energy saving, but comfort too. Smart home automation systems allow your home’s heating to set up a daily routine that suits you; such as having the temperature warm up or cool down in certain rooms at different times of the day.
Security Systems
Smart home security systems are becoming increasingly widespread in homes across the country. People have always been serious about protecting themselves, their home and their belongings but advancement in technology means that home security technologies are more accessible. Many people have smart doorbell systems or remote control security cameras to protect their homes and receive alerts.
However, your security is increased even further when it’s part of a single smart home system. A great example of this would be locking the doors and displaying live CCTV footage on all TV screens in your home when the system detects an intrusion or an unknown guest.
With a Dahua CCTV system installed by SMS, you can expect a crystal clear image quality on your home screens which will record up to 1 month’s worth of footage, 24 hours a day. This can be viewed from anywhere in the world. Cameras can also be installed inside or outside and spray painted for maximum discretion.
Security doesn’t only just include protection against crime. The best smart home systems can be configured to work with the fire alarm too – unlocking all doors and windows and illuminating the exits.
Lighting Systems
Lighting has always been a crucial element in any home. It’s a necessity at night time and is a great way to add character to a home as it complements the interior design.
Smart switches are connected to the smart home system and you can use your smartphone or tablet to control them. This means that you don’t have to go around looking for different switches in different rooms – they will all be connected and managed together from home automation systems. For those who prefer the traditional light switches, a smart home automation system can manage these too.
For example, getting up during the night to use the bathroom. It’s dark and the light switch is usually hard to locate. A motion detector could turn on the light in the hallway for you but only at 10% intensity, so you aren’t overwhelmed by the bright light.
An automated lighting system works best when it uses both lights and blinds to maximise the use of natural light. Blinds can be automated to close at a certain time or be programmed according to the levels of light detected. They can also be automated to close when the room temperature is too high, to stop the sun from warming the room even further. If your house has a lot of windows, automated blinds will save you plenty of time too.
Because they’re part of the same home automation system, the lights can be programmed to activate when the blinds are closed. Light systems can be linked to motion sensors throughout the house and activate when motion is detected. Depending on the time of day or night, the lights can have varying degrees of intensity.
Another benefit to motion detection or scheduled lighting is that it will save money by reducing energy. Full control over your lights means they’ll only be on when needed. A timer linked to motion detectors will achieve this for you as will the press of a button on a smartphone app.
Enhanced control over lights in the home is also a security benefit as you can create the illusion that the home is occupied.
Lighting Scenes
Smart home lighting offers the opportunity to take control of your living space and set the right mood. By using motion sensors, connected lighting can turn on or off lights as you enter a room, adjust brightness throughout the day, and even change colours in time with music. Mood lighting is particularly popular with bright colours to energise during a party or tranquil tones for a relaxing evening indoors.
Smart home lighting combines convenience, energy saving, and aesthetic possibilities which makes it a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their home.
Home Appliances
Alongside these core smart home elements, your smart home automation system may also be compatible with smart home appliances that make life at home a little easier for you. A smart washing machine and dryer, for example, can be linked to your automated home, allowing you to receive notifications when the clothes are ready. It doesn’t have to be a smartphone notification either, you could program a light to switch on or a sound to be played if you wished.
Professional Installation from a Reliable Smart Home Installer
It can be difficult to find the right company when you are looking for smart home installations, but if you want a professional and reliable service then contact us today. We have a team of experts, with decades of experience in smart home installation with minimal disruption to daily life. We can help you with any installation needs you may have, and we are always happy to answer any questions. So if you need help installing your new smart home, or need advice on adding to your existing system and advice on what products to choose, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
