If you watched movies like Back to the Future 2 or Blade Runner back in the day, you probably marvelled at the nature of the technology they predicted would emerge in the future. You probably also figured “Video calls and voice-activated technology? Sounds great, but will only ever be science fiction. That’ll never happen.” Of course, in real-world 2024, these examples are very much with us in the form of smart home technology.
Building a smart home is no longer science fiction—it’s real for many of us today. With the right devices and systems in place, you can control lighting, security, heating and entertainment systems from the comfort of your hand. Smart homes offer more than just convenience; they can save energy, and increase security and comfort.
Whether you’re just dipping your toe in the home automation pool, adding to an existing system, or going all out and diving completely into the realm of smart tech, setting up a smart home has never been easier. Let’s get started with your dream smart home today.
Choosing the Right Smart Home Hub
The first essential step is to choose a smart home hub to run everything from. This will act as the nerve centre for all your smart devices, allowing you to control everything from lights to thermostats with ease.
Choosing the right hub is crucial for all your gadgets to work together seamlessly and for the smart home experience. Popular options include:
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- Apple HomeKit
Each boasts its own strengths and features, so consider which one fits your needs and lifestyle. Aside from features, you might also want to consider compatibility with your existing devices, ease of use and ability to add to your setup in the future.
With the right hub, managing your smart home is easy and fun.
Smart Lighting: Lighting Your Home Smartly
For homeowners who simply want to test the waters with smart technology before they go all-in, smart lighting is the easiest and most popular way to get started.
With smart lights, you’re able to control their brightness and colour. You can even set schedules to fit your lifestyle, all from a phone app or voice command. Imagine waking up to a soft glow, creating the perfect dimly-lit atmosphere for a romantic movie night or automating your lights to match your daily routine.
Smart lights don’t just offer convenience and customisation; they can also save energy by turning off when no one is home. Whether you like warm lighting or bright colours, smart lighting adds flexibility, style and energy efficiency to your home.
Smart Security: Safeguard Your Home
Smart security systems make it easier than ever to protect your home, with control at your fingertips. Common security devices that you can monitor from anywhere with your phone, tablet or smart hub include:
- Smart cameras
- Doorbells
- Locks
Whether you’re at work, out shopping or even away on holiday, real-time alerts will let you know if something’s happening at home.
Smart security for your home gives you total peace of mind no matter where you are. You can even talk to visitors at your front door remotely, view live footage and lock or unlock doors with a tap. Smart security provides more than just convenience; it also increases home safety, making it a valuable and practical addition to any modern smart home.
Heating and Cooling with Smart Thermostats
Easy, convenient climate control is something all homeowners want to enjoy, and smart thermostats make it easy to achieve it.
With features like scheduling, remote control and adaptive learning, smart thermostats help you set and keep the perfect room temperature. And you’ll do it all while saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Among the numerous things you can do are:
- Adjust the temperature on your phone before you even get home so you can walk into a comfortable house.
- Have the thermostat learn your daily routine and preferences to make temperature changes for you.
- Track your energy usage in real time so you can make informed decisions and reduce your bills.
Heating and cooling accounts for 40% of energy use in a typical Australian home. Whether you’re cooling the home in summer or warming it in winter, a smart thermostat brings comfort, convenience and energy efficiency together. For any smart smart-home owner, it’s a must-have addition.
Smart Entertainment: Streamline Your Downtime
In the last 10 to 15 years, we’ve seen streaming services take over traditional physical and broadcast media as our preferred sources of entertainment. For many people, the likes of Spotify and Apple Music have relegated their CD collections to the rubbish bin, while Netflix and other movie streaming services have replaced DVD libraries across the world. In short, streaming and smart entertainment systems change how you enjoy your home downtime, bringing control to your fingertips.
With a smart TV, speakers and streaming devices, you can easily control your entire entertainment setup from your phone, a smart hub or with a voice command. Imagine dimming the lights, playing your favourite movie and adjusting the volume without lifting a finger or searching for the remote. You can even sync your devices to create an immersive home cinema experience or music streaming setup.
Smart speakers can connect to every room so you can take your playlists with you. It’s all about creating an entertainment space that is as all-encompassing as it is personal. One that fits your lifestyle and enhances your home.
Get a Licensed Electrician for Your Smart Home Setup
When setting up your smart home, you need to know when to call in a licensed electrician to handle the more complex installations. While many smart devices are plug-and-play, more complex installations like wiring smart lighting, upgrading your electrical panel or integrating new circuits require a professional touch to ensure safety and functionality.
A licensed electrician will make sure your setup meets the required safety standards and doesn’t overload your circuits which can lead to electrical fires. They can also future-proof your home to ensure that everything runs without any hassle as you add more devices to your smart system.
By using a licensed electrician you’ll keep your house safe while also knowing everything is installed correctly and compliant with local regulations and safety standards.
Your Smart Home Your Way
Smart home automation is all about customising your property to your needs, preferences and lifestyle.
Whether you start small with a few devices or go big with a full smart system, the options are endless. They can also grow with you over time. From smart lighting and security to heating and entertainment, each element can be tailored to make your life more convenient, energy-efficient and secure.
As your smart home grows, all your devices will seamlessly work with each other to enhance your daily routines and make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. With the right setup, you’ll save time and energy. You’ll also have a home that adapts to your routine and evolves with your future needs.
