How to turn your house into a “smart home”

Understanding the world of technology and how it influences your life is extremely important. Nowadays, it is most common to use technology to connect with our surroundings. And this change is evident, whether in our devices or in the homes we inhabit. Despite its identical appearance and operation to a standard home network, the smart version addresses daily challenges earlier and better. This guide will help you understand how beneficial technology can be in your life and in your dream home or smart home.

Home Automation

Today, there is much talk about home automation, connected smart homes, and the Internet of Things. But what exactly is home automation? Home automation refers to the set of techniques aimed at automating a dwelling, integrating technology into security, energy management, well-being, or communication systems.

🏠 How to install a home automation system?

To begin, the first step to making your home “smart” is to install a control centre. In general terms, a smart home control centre can be simply conceived as the “brain” of the system, or as its “central nervous system” to which the different parts of the system will send information for it to manage. To this centre, we connect all our devices that will help us improve life in each space. These include: the thermostat, the water heater, heating, or the fan. And there can be more, such as, for example, opening the blinds when we wake up, and automatically closing them when night falls to conserve heat. Likewise, it could also connect to video surveillance cameras via mobile phone (there are telecommunications companies that already offer this) or to the irrigation system to manage your own garden. To install all these devices to the control centre, you don't need to be a “hacker”, as they are super easy to use and very intuitive. They install automatically and can be controlled via mobile phone later.

What control centres exist?

Are you all set for a smart home? It couldn't be simpler. There are increasingly more providers of home automation products with their own control systems. The choice can be bewildering. That's why we show you which are the best home automation centres according to our experts and which might be the most suitable option for you.

• Samsung SmartThings Hub
• Echo Show (2nd generation)
• Logitech Harmony Home Hub
• Securifi Almnd 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System

💪🏽 Advantages of home automation

• No need for construction work to create a smart home;
• Modular systems;
• Any user can manage their home from their mobile phone;
• Having greater control over appliances is also essential to reduce consumption;
• It allows us to personalise our home and increase security;
• Well-being

⚠️ Disadvantages of home automation

• Initial cost;
• Maintenance;
• Complacency

Did you know? Years ago, home automation was not accessible to everyone. It was in the realm of advanced technology, and devices were expensive. Currently, there are various types of installations that can cover practically any deficit your home has at a low cost. Not only that, but it also has a large number of applications with which to control everything from your mobile.

💡 10 home automation functionalities:

• Never worry about your dog again: you can keep your pets monitored thanks to security systems with integrated GPS that connect to your animal's collar.

• Connect and disconnect security alarms: total control of what happens inside the home and economic savings thanks to the exclusion of maintenance fees.

• Turn all the lights in the home on and off: total control of electricity in your home, as well as the colour of the light and its atmosphere. In addition, you can save a lot on your electricity bill.

• Turn any home appliance on and off: it involves connecting appliances to our Wi-Fi network and the Internet, to be able to control them from anywhere.

• Raise and lower blinds: from your Smartphone or Tablet, remotely, without needing to be inside the home.

• Fire, flood, and gas system: by analysing the air in the home to detect temperature or gas variations, the alarm is capable of connecting extinguishing systems, alerting firefighters, and, of course, informing you.

• Audio and video: one of the most used functionalities by users. Controls all audio and video devices distributed in different parts of the house (television, home cinema, or speakers).

• Open and close doors: often, we forget if we have closed the house door. Well, you can control the lock of your main house door without being present.
• Smart thermostats: allows us to optimise the use of our heating to the maximum thanks to connectivity with our phone.
• Robot vacuum cleaners: something to consider if you seek comfort and less work at home. These magnificent robots can make your life much easier.

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