What Are Smart Homes and How Can You Create One?

Smart homes are a fantastic way to make your life easier and more enjoyable. They're essentially homes that are equipped with technology to make your living space more convenient, comfortable, and secure.

You can create a smart home by integrating various devices and systems, such as smart thermostats, lighting, and security cameras. These devices can be controlled remotely using smartphones or voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.

Smart homes can learn your habits and preferences over time, allowing them to make adjustments on their own. For example, a smart thermostat can learn your schedule and preferences to optimize your home's temperature and energy usage.

A smart home can also help you save energy and money by automating tasks such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use.

Smart homes are made possible by a range of smart home technologies that can be controlled and automated remotely. These technologies include smart lighting systems that can detect occupancy and adjust lighting levels accordingly, and smart thermostats that can learn homeowners' behaviors and automatically modify settings for maximum comfort and efficiency.

Smart home technologies also include smart security cameras and doorbells that allow homeowners to monitor their homes remotely, and smart locks that can grant or deny access to visitors. Additionally, smart kitchen appliances can be controlled and monitored remotely, and smart household monitors can sense potential issues such as power surges or water failures.

Some examples of smart home devices include smart TVs, smart bulbs, and smart door locks, which can be controlled and monitored remotely using a smartphone or tablet. These devices can be integrated into a home automation system, which can be controlled using a central device such as a smart speaker or display with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.

The history of smart home technologies is a fascinating story that began with labor-saving machines in the early 1900s. Electric power distribution made it possible for self-contained appliances like washing machines, water heaters, and refrigerators to become a part of our daily lives.

These early home appliances were a major convenience, but they laid the groundwork for more advanced technologies to come. In 1889, the first water heaters were introduced, and by 1904, washing machines were making household chores easier.

The first general purpose home automation network technology, X10, was developed in 1975. It's a communication protocol that uses electric power transmission wiring for signalling and control, and it remains the most widely available to this day.

A smart home's devices are connected with each other and can be accessed through one central point—a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or game console. This central point can be a smart speaker or display with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri living in it.

To include non-internet-connected home automation devices in an internet-connected home automation system, you need a hub. Hubs use different communication protocols like Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, X10, or Matter to connect to a hub and then bridge their connection to the internet.

Home automation systems require an internet connection, but don't worry, non-internet-connected devices can still be included with a hub. These devices can be monitored, controlled, and automated remotely through an app.

Here are the three main functions of home automation systems:

Smart home appliances come with self-learning skills, which allow them to learn the homeowner's schedules and make adjustments as needed. This means you can save energy and money by having your appliances adjust to your habits.

Home automation systems can also alert homeowners if any motion is detected in the home when they're away, or even call the authorities in case of a dangerous situation. This adds an extra layer of security and peace of mind to your smart home.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a key component of smart home technologies. It refers to any device that connects to the internet, allowing it to communicate with other devices. Your smart TV, smart bulbs, and smart locks are all examples of IoT devices.

IoT devices come in many forms, including smart home appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. These devices can be controlled remotely through an app, and some can even learn your habits and make adjustments accordingly.

Most home automation devices are also IoT devices, but not all IoT devices are home automation devices. For example, a Bluetooth smart lock that connects to your smartphone is an IoT device, but it's not a home automation device because it's not connected to the internet.

Home automation works on three levels: monitoring, control, and automation. Monitoring allows you to check in on your devices remotely, control lets you control them remotely, and automation enables you to set up devices to trigger one another.

Here's a breakdown of the three levels of home automation:

Some popular voice assistants, like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, are also part of the IoT ecosystem. They can control and automate various smart devices in your home, making it easier to manage your smart home setup.

Engineers designing home automation systems consider factors like scalability, ease of installation and use, affordability, speed, security, and diagnosing issues.

Consumers prioritize ease-of-use over technical innovation, and are not yet ready to use new connected devices in their homes.

Historically, home automation systems were sold as complete systems, but now there are open hardware and open source software systems available.

These open systems can be used instead of or with proprietary hardware, and often interface with consumer electronics like the Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

Home automation devices are increasingly interfaced with mobile phones through Bluetooth, making them more affordable and customizable for users.

Some examples of home automation implementations include domestic patch panels and well and booster pump automation.

You can control multiple devices with just your smartphone, but it can become a hassle with multiple apps to switch between.

A smart hub is the way to go if you'll be adding lots of components from different manufacturers. It allows you to control all your components through one single device.

Without a smart hub, you'll need to juggle multiple apps on your phone to control different devices. This can defeat the purpose of setting up a smart home.

A smart speaker, like Google Home or Amazon Echo, can serve as a hub for basic setups. But for more advanced setups, like location-based automations, you'll need a dedicated smart hub like Samsung SmartThings or Wink.

For example, with a smart hub, you can command all your devices by voice, like saying "Hey Google, play Dora on the family room TV." This can be a sanity-saving investment.

Defining Your House's Purpose is a crucial step in smart home implementations. It helps you build a setup that meets your needs, rather than trying to fit devices into a preconceived plan.

You need to ask yourself what you want your smart home to do for you. Will it be just a few basic automations and voice commands to make life easier, or a full smart home conversion with the latest high-tech features?

Having a clear goal in mind lets you plan your smart home system so devices pair together easily, which is especially important if you're looking to do a full smart home conversion. This approach can save you time and effort in the long run.

A smart home is made up of various components that work together to make your life easier and more convenient. Some smart home systems require a hub, but others can connect directly to a router, which then connects to an IoT device.

You'll want to consider what type of voice assistant you want to use in your smart home. Amazon's Alexa is built into Echo Show and Echo Dot devices and is integrated into many smart home devices from companies like SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, and Cove.

Google Assistant, on the other hand, is Google's voice assistant and has been proven to be the most accurate in understanding and answering queries correctly. You'll need a smart speaker or a smart display to get started with Google Assistant.

Here's a brief rundown of the most popular voice assistants you'll encounter:

Smart home systems can be connected in different ways, and it's worth considering the options before choosing a setup. Some systems require a hub, while others can connect directly to a router.

A hub can add an extra cost to your smart home setup, but it's not always necessary. In fact, some mobile applications can connect directly to a router, which connects directly to an IoT device.

Alexa is Amazon's voice assistant, built into Echo Show and Echo Dot devices, and it's integrated into a wide range of smart home devices from companies like SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm.

Google Assistant, on the other hand, is Google's voice assistant, and it's known for being the most accurate in terms of understanding and answering queries correctly. You'll need a smart speaker or a smart display to get started with Google Assistant.

If you're setting up a smart home system, you may need to decide whether or not you need a smart hub, such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, or Samsung SmartThings.

Here are some popular voice assistants and their associated devices:

Smart home heating systems are getting a major upgrade. With smart home products, you can control your heating devices with ease, turning them on and off with just a few taps on your phone.

Temperature and humidity sensors are becoming increasingly common in smart home heating systems. These sensors allow your heating devices to automatically turn on or off when certain conditions are met.

You can now control your air conditioners with the same level of precision and convenience as your heating devices. This means you can stay cool and comfortable all year round, no matter the temperature outside.

Smart homes offer a wide range of entertainment options that can be controlled with a single remote. This is especially appealing for those who enjoy watching TV and listening to music.

Television and speakers can be played on command using applications, making it easy to switch between different sources of entertainment. This convenience is a major advantage of smart home technology.

With a smart home, you can operate your TV and speakers according to a schedule, so you can come home to your favorite show or music playing automatically.

Smart home technology offers a range of benefits, including convenience, enhanced security, and cost savings. Homeowners can control all their appliances, thermostats, lighting, and other features using one device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Notifying homeowners of issues in their homes when they're away is a key security advantage. For example, smart doorbells allow homeowners to see and communicate with people who come to their doors when they're not at home.

Smart home systems can also lead to significant cost savings over time. Appliances and electronics can be used more efficiently, lowering energy costs.

However, smart home technology also has its drawbacks. Security risks and bugs continue to plague makers and users of smart home technology, making it vulnerable to hacking. For instance, the Mirai botnet in 2016 brought down major websites through a denial of service attack.

The costs of installing smart technology can be steep, ranging from a few thousand dollars for a wireless system to tens of thousands of dollars for a hardwired system.

Smart home technology systems offer homeowners convenience by controlling appliances, thermostats, lighting, and other features using one device, usually a smartphone or tablet. This can be a game-changer for busy people who want to manage their homes with ease.

Smart home systems can enhance security by providing notifications and updates on issues in the home when the owner is away. For instance, smart doorbells allow homeowners to see and communicate with people who come to their doors when they're not at home.

Despite the cost of installing a smart system, homeowners can benefit from significant cost savings over time. Appliances and electronics can be used more efficiently, lowering energy costs. This can lead to substantial savings on utility bills.

However, it's essential to do the research to determine whether the potential benefits of a smart home outweigh the cost of installation. Consider using individual smart home products first to learn how well they fit your lifestyle and budget.

Here are some key points to consider:

Smart home technology may seem like a dream come true, but it's not without its drawbacks. One major concern is the risk of security breaches. Hackers can gain access to a smart home's internet-enabled appliances, as seen in the 2016 Mirai botnet attack that brought down major websites through a denial of service attack.

To mitigate this risk, it's essential to maintain strong passwords, use encryption when available, and only connect trusted devices to your network. This added effort can help prevent security issues.

Installing smart home technology can be expensive, with costs ranging from a few thousand dollars for a wireless system to tens of thousands of dollars for a hardwired system. This can be a significant investment for some homeowners.

Learning to use a smart home system can also be a challenge. The learning curve can be steep, especially for those who are not tech-savvy.

Setting a budget and timeline is crucial before diving into smart home setup. This will help you determine how to control your smart home, whether it's with a smart speaker, smart hub, or other devices.

You can start with a simple setup, like buying smart light bulbs and a smart speaker, which can cost as little as $100. However, adding more devices, such as a video doorbell, smart thermostat, and garage door opener, can quickly add up to several hundred dollars.

To prevent overspending, take a few minutes to come up with a budget based on the devices you really want. You can browse different smart home devices and get an idea of their prices at Verizon's Smart Home Accessories page.

Here are some estimated costs to consider:

Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and the actual cost may vary depending on the specific device and brand you choose.

One way to save money on IoT devices is to wait for a seasonal sale. SimpliSafe, for example, often has promotions that promise users 25 percent off any new system plus a free camera.

By setting a budget and timeline, you'll be able to make informed decisions about which devices to buy and how to control your smart home.

Smart home technology is all around us, and it's getting smarter by the day. You can even control your lights and temperature with just your voice using smart home devices like smart TVs and smart thermostats.

Smart TVs connect to the internet to access content through applications, such as on-demand video and music. Some smart TVs also include voice or gesture recognition, making it easy to navigate through channels and find your favorite shows.

Smart lighting systems can detect when you're in the room and adjust lighting as needed. They can even regulate themselves based on daylight availability, so you don't have to worry about turning them on and off.

Smart thermostats, like Google Nest, come with integrated Wi-Fi, letting you schedule, monitor and remotely control home temperatures. These devices also learn your behaviors and automatically modify settings to provide you with maximum comfort and efficiency.

Some popular smart home devices include smart door locks and garage door openers, which can grant or deny access to visitors. Smart locks can also detect when you're near and unlock the doors for you.

Here are some examples of smart home technologies:

These devices can be controlled remotely via mobile apps and voice assistants like Alexa, making it easy to manage your home from anywhere.