Buying a home is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make, so it’s a serious decision and one that comes with a lot of questions. The team at Singletary Construction can answer those questions for you.
Question: What is smart home technology, and why do I need it?
Answer: You’ll often see the term “smart home technology” peppered throughout advertising for new homes and appliances, but what does that mean? Smart home technology is revolutionizing the way we live, offering a seamless blend of convenience, energy efficiency and enhanced security.
Smart home technology refers to the integration of devices, systems and appliances within your home that can communicate with each other and be controlled remotely. These devices are equipped with sensors and connectivity features, and they often utilize artificial intelligence to automate and optimize various functions.
Let’s look at a few of the major systems in your home that utilize “smart” technology.
1. Smart Lighting: Smart bulbs and lighting systems allow you to control the brightness, color and scheduling of lights through mobile apps or voice commands. This not only enhances ambiance but, more importantly, contributes to energy savings and added security. Lights can be programmed to turn on as you enter a room and turn off if no motion is detected after a certain amount of time. You can also turn lights on and off remotely to keep would-be intruders at bay.
2. Thermostats and HVAC Systems: Smart thermostats enable precise control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems taking factors such as humidity into account when determining the optimal temperature for your home. They learn user preferences, adjust to schedules, and can be remotely managed to optimize energy usage. This “smart” feature has arguably the biggest impact on the energy efficiency of your home, especially when you consider that you can monitor and control the temperature of the home when you’re not there.
3. Home Security Systems: Smart security systems include cameras, motion detectors, doorbell cameras and sensors on windows and doors that provide real-time monitoring and alerts of any activity around and in your home. Keyless entry makes it easy to access your home without fumbling for your keys and also gives you the ability to grant others access even if you’re not home! Integration with mobile apps allows you to monitor and control access to your home from anywhere. The most significant benefit this “smart” feature provides you is peace of mind. Besides being alerted when something needs your attention, you can check in on your home at any time from anywhere.
4. Smart Appliances: Modern kitchen and home appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and washing machines can be equipped with smart features. You can control and monitor these appliances remotely for added convenience and peace of mind. Preheat the oven, change the cooking temperature and set cooking times – all from your phone while you’re at the grocery store or with just your voice when your hands are caked with dough.
5. Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants: Besides just providing information and playing music, devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home serve as central hubs for controlling your smart devices and performing various functions just by using voice commands.
6. Smart Home Hubs: Centralized hubs or controllers allow you to manage multiple smart devices from a single interface. This streamlines your control over all the functions of your smart home whether you’re at home or on the go.
So, why do you need it? Smart home technology isn’t just an advertising gimmick designed to entice you to buy a new oven. It may have begun as a fun, new way to turn on your lights from the comfort of your sofa but it continues to evolve offering practical solutions for everyday life. It saves you time and money and serves as yet another way to protect your family and one of your biggest investments – your home.
Singletary Construction believes that smart home technology is an essential component of any home which is why we include it in every new home we build as a standard feature. Read more about all of the upgrades that are included as standard in Singletary Construction homes at the Singletary Construction website, call 931-542-9931, or email Info@SingletaryConstruction.com.