Is a Smart Home Really Smart?

Is a Smart Home Really Smart?

Smart homes take great advantage of modern building techniques and automation technology to give you a new control level. A smart home may be built from scratch with automation as a key design goal or constructed from an existing home during renovation. In both cases, they offer several advantages over a conventional home.

Security

Smart homes have security systems that do a better job of preventing home invasions and intrusions than those that need manual setting. Aside from that, these systems have advanced capabilities to warn residents of potential threats on the inside of the home or on the property. A lot of owners connect their smart home security systems to their city or town’s warning system. This is done in order to obtain advanced warning during or before a natural disaster. A smart home’s fire alarm system can also be set to unlock the door and notify the local fire department.

Safety

With a smart home, electricity can automatically be adjusted to different voltages for various devices and appliances. Additionally, unlike conventional electrical systems found inside a house, the electrical system in a smart home provides power only to outlets that have appliances turned on and plugged in. The electric controller found in a smart home also monitors the circuitry inside the house. It has the capability to disconnect power when a short circuit occurs. Sensors in a smart home can also detect gas and water leaks.

Entertainment

Smart homes, also known as super homes, provide the best visual and sound quality available for home entertainment systems. The television will be able to display what is online, and residents have the capability to listen to music in any room located inside of their home. Internet access will allow you to download multimedia files to your stereo system and record your favorite television shows.

Savings

Because a smart home has the capability to regulate the use of utilities, homeowners can realize significant savings on their utility bills. Aside from that, you can adjust the utilities to take advantage of lower rates. At the same time, less waste means that you will not be billed for utilities used in devices and appliances that are otherwise always on.

Aesthetics

Although this might be the most obvious advantage, one of the main reasons people want to have a smart home is because it adds a wow factor. Unlike conventional homes, a smart home has an appearance that is completely-polished thanks to the clever utilization of remotes and touch screens used to control audio equipment, lights, blinds and other devices. More frequently than not, a smart home also offers cabling that is pre-wired into the wall cavity.

Accessibility

A smart home may have accessibility technologies that are helpful for disabled or elderly people. Voice-command systems can do things such as locking doors, controlling lights or operating a telephone.

Superior Thermal Comfort

Another benefit of purchasing a smart home is that you can experience superior thermal comfort. During the winter when the sun is much lower in the sky, the smart home’s passive design will maximize warmth and light from the sun. Thermal mass features will absorb the heat of the sun and radiate  warmth into the room when the sun has disappeared. The home’s thermal envelope will also make sure that this heat is retained instead of escaping outside. This keeps the home cozy and warm throughout the winter evenings. Passive design acts differently when it comes to summer. It will block the heat and stop the sun from directly entering the home. It will absorb the heat that people do not want in their home during the day and release it later in the night when it is more useful. If there is a breeze blowing, smart homes will utilize natural cross ventilation and release hot air through high windows and vents thus keeping the home naturally cool.

Resale Value

When the time comes to sell a smart home, you will have lots of effective selling points. You can explain the system and describe how much it makes life easier. A home that features a wide range of automated systems has the potential to be sold much more easily than a conventional home.  The perception that purchasing a smart home is an expensive endeavor has dampened customer enthusiasm. However, people who choose to purchase this type of home can experience significant savings on their utility bills and good security. Smart homes are no longer considered a vision of a science fiction writer or a trendy purchase. As they become more affordable, these homes are a good investment. All in all, smart homes are a staple of the present and not a wave of the future.