From intelligent lighting to home security and next generation entertainment, smart tech allows homeowners to customize their homes. Off-grid solutions that monitor and control power consumption and robotics that take care of chores help reduce energy bills.
Smart appliances and devices work best when connected to one another. From 2023, look for fully integrated systems that will save you time and money.
1. Smart appliances
From touchless doorbells that allow guests to announce their arrival without using shared surfaces to prevent the spread of germs, to programmable refrigerators that can add items to your grocery list when you run out, smart appliances make it easier than ever to automate everyday tasks.
Many of these devices are now capable of communicating with one another, which enables them to work together and create more streamlined systems. For example, a Philips Hue lighting system can automatically follow specific routines to turn lights on or off across the home according to your schedule and needs.
However, a lack of data privacy concerns are among consumers’ biggest barriers to adoption of these technologies. To help ease these worries, smart device manufacturers are now incorporating advanced safety features like local storage and increased encryption to ensure consumers’ personal information remains secure.
2. Smart lighting
Aside from being energy efficient and allowing remote access, smart lighting systems offer a variety of other benefits. They can be programmed to follow a specific routine to reduce waste, adjust according to daylight availability and even change colors for different purposes or moods.
Tech from noise-canceling windows to drown out the neighbor mowing his lawn to AI filters that hide a messy living room before a video call with the boss are on the rise. Gadgets that monitor and optimize health and wellness, such as air quality sensors and sleep trackers, also are growing in popularity.
Fully integrated smart home systems are becoming more accessible and affordable, while offering convenience and safety. Many companies now sell centralized hubs that control multiple devices at once.
3. Smart thermostats
Whether you want to remotely control appliances, create home automation schedules or customize your living experience, smart technology offers solutions for everyone. From a touchless doorbell that allows you to instantly view who is at your doorstep without touching a shared surface that may spread germs, to a voice-activated thermostat that learns your daily routine and pre-schedules temperatures, smart gadgets are easy to install, customizable and offer endless functionality.
Hubs and controllers help get your smart devices talking to each other, so they can automatically turn off lights or heat when you leave for work or set up a morning routine with heating, lighting and wake-up music. Look for products that use the Zigbee or Z-Wave mesh networking technologies, or Matter 1.0 (launched in November 2022) to ensure your devices play well together.
4. Smart security
Whether you’re away from home or at work, smart technologies provide total convenience and security. You can monitor what’s going on inside and outside your home, check in on your pets, see who’s at the door or when a delivery is due and more.
Home automation trends also include security systems that can help prevent break-ins and alert you if smoke or heat is detected in the house. Security cameras can also be linked to smart video doorbells that function as a virtual butler and allow you to interact with visitors.
To keep all your connected devices working together, you’ll need reliable Internet service with a good router. Mesh WiFi technology is a great option, allowing you to have wider coverage throughout your home.
5. Smart entertainment
From noise-canceling windows that drown out the neighbor mowing the lawn to AI filters that hide messy living rooms from coworkers on video calls, smart home technology makes efficiency, convenience and control a reality. Gadgets like voice assistants are a staple in the industry, making it easier than ever to set a timer or create a to-do list.
From a connectivity standpoint, more devices are connecting to one another, which leads to a more streamlined system that saves homeowners money and time. For example, if a smart refrigerator detects that it’s low on milk, it will add it to a shopping list stored in an Amazon Alexa device.
As homeowners continue to search for ways to streamline their lives, new innovations and smart gadgets are popping up to help make that possible. From a more efficient sleep schedule to automated wake-up routines to a home office equipped with robots that can handle chores and tasks, the options for a smarter lifestyle are endless.
