Complete Guide to Smart Home Automation

Discover all you need to know about smart home automation. From what is it and what it entails to the overall costs, learn how smart home automation can transform your home and its safety for the better.

What is a smart home?

A smart home is a home set-up that is integrated with internet-connected devices that can be programmed and controlled remotely, either via an app or a smart device. These devices can then be used to automate and schedule certain tasks and actions, either individually or by working together. Smart homes are part of the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ and therefore when all connected and operating in tandem, can share relevant usage data to perform automated actions.

What is smart home automation?

Smart home automation is the ability to set up triggers and actions with a smart home’s connected systems and devices (smart home technologies). Home automation can be as simple or complex as the user wants and overall, acts to make a household’s lifestyle more convenient, their home’s energy usage more efficient and their home security stronger.

Smart home automation enables a user or household to control all of their smart devices, systems and technologies from one control panel, usually in the form of an App or smartphone.

Examples of smart home technologies

Some common smart home technologies include:

Smart TV – being able to connect to various applications and streaming platforms via your television.
Smart Speaker – often controlled via voice command, smart speakers can play music, search the internet and make calls.
Smart Plugs – control the plug sockets in your home from anywhere in the world and carry out actions such as putting items on timers.
Smart Bulbs – smart lighting that can be controlled remotely via an App.
Smart Security & CCTV Cameras – view camera footage and arm/disarm alarm systems remotely to allow easy control and management over your home security.
Smart Kitchen Appliances – some appliances can be controlled remotely and even on certain schedules to fit in with your lifestyle. Know you’ll be home in 20 minutes? Why not put the oven on to heat up?
Smart Thermostats – control your home’s temperature from anywhere in the world! Plus, set up an automation to that if it reaches below a certain temperature, your heating will turn on.

What are the benefits of smart home automation?

Convenience

Smart home automation can make life easier and prove to be a great convenience. Automations can be customised and tailored to each household’s preferences and alterations can easily be made. From smart doorbells answered via a smartphone to scheduling lights and different light levels to come on at a certain time, smart home automation can help you create the home experience you want.

Peace of Mind

Having smart home automation in place can provide peace of mind to households, knowing that they have total control of their smart technologies and home systems. This is especially important when away from home, such as on holiday or at work, due to knowing that you will still be able to control key systems remotely. Whether you left the oven on or forgot to turn a light off, with a smart home you’ll be able to turn these off via your smartphone.

Improved Safety for Individuals

Smart homes, their ability to set up automation and monitor a home’s systems remotely can help improve the safety of your loved ones, especially those who are more vulnerable, like the elderly. Whether it’s controlling left-on appliances, remotely monitoring security cameras or using a video doorbell and intercom system, your loved ones will be able to stay safe and comfortable within their home.

Increased Security

Many security devices and systems have smart features and therefore can be integrated into your smart home automation set-up. Being able to view the status of each system and control it remotely significantly increases your level of home security. No longer will you need to worry over your home when you’re away or stress whether you locked the front door, as all can be seen and managed via your smart device.

Improved Efficiencies

Due to all systems being connected and integrated, major efficiencies can be made, in terms of day-to-day life as well as energy usage. Setting up automation such as only watering the garden when needed, with the exact amount of water is a great example of being both water, energy and time efficient. Again, setting the heating to only turn on when the temperature drops to a certain level and to turn off when no one is at home is another improved efficiency of smart home automation, as well as being cost-effective!

How does smart home automation work?

Each smart device that’s integrated into your smart home will have sensors and be connected to the internet, usually via WIFI. This allows you to manage them all via a smartphone or App remotely, from anywhere in the world. There are many Apps available that you can use to control your smart home, depending on your system set-up. Whichever one you choose, it will act as the central control point, sensing and processing data and then communicating wirelessly to the relevant devices. This allows for full control of all home automation and systems in one place.

What are the different types of automation that can be implemented?

Smart homes and devices are designed to simplify and streamline tasks and day-to-day life. This is done via automation which works by a matter of cause and effect. Therefore, when something triggers or activates a smart device or system, you can choose how that device or system will react.

Below are some common triggers and reactions that can be added in various combinations to form sufficient smart home automation.

Common Triggers (cause)

Setting a schedule – choose what time certain devices will turn on or off.
Voice commands – an easy and quick way to activate a device.
App control – similar to voice commands, a touch of a button and the device will activate.
Status changes – most commonly used for security devices, they are triggered by a change in environment or sensor activation.
Geofencing – a trigger based on your location. For example, locking a door when you leave the house or lights turning on or off depending on room occupancy.

Common Reactions (effect)

Activate/control another system
Send a notification
Change system mode
Activate a sequence or routine

How much does smart home automation cost?

With technology advancing and smart homes and devices becoming a key part of our everyday lives, the cost of smart home automation is a lot more accessible than it once was. There are various levels of smart home automation systems available too, ranging from more simplistic options that are at a lower cost, to more complex and advanced systems that will tend to be more costly.

When looking to get your smart home automation professionally set up and installed, the cost can be influenced by various factors. These include the size and complexity of the smart home set-up as well as the number of systems and elements to be implemented.

For the most accurate cost, we recommend you get in touch with the team, discuss your home and smart home requirements and we can provide a FREE, no-obligation quotation. Get in touch here.

Are smart homes safe?

Some people worry about the safety of smart homes, due to being connected over the internet and the data they hold. Hacking is a safety concern for many and with all smart technology, there is always a risk. However, there are many steps you can put in place to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of smart home hacking. These include using trusted manufacturers and installers, using strong passwords as well as two-factor authentication when you can.

How to implement smart home automation

Get in touch with Homewatch today to see how we can begin your smart home automation journey. We are NSI Gold approved and have extensive experience in smart homes and automation, partnering with the very best manufacturers in the industry.

We specialise in smart home security systems, such as smart CCTV and smart video doorbells, but can also help set up entire smart homes to include smart lighting, gates, appliances and thermostats, all to be controlled via the Homewatch App.