Why Invest in Smart Home Technology?

In recent years, a large portion of homeowners have voiced their desire for a connected home in both big and small ways. In fact, there are an estimated 175 million smart homes across the world as of 2022, with the United States coming in first with the greatest portion of these houses. 

From utilizing AI-powered virtual assistant technology like a Google Home or Amazon Alexa to fully integrating a state-of-the-art home security system both inside and outside of the house, consumer demands are changing the way we think about our homes. 

Home improvement in any way is always an investment but the higher quality materials you use and the more advanced technology you install in your home, the more you’ll find a significant return on this investment. And 86% of millennials (who are the next generation of homebuyers) have stated they’d be willing to pay more for a connected home. 

Soon, a home without this integrated smart technology will fall behind in a real estate market that believes high-tech solutions to be king. There are three main things every homeowner wants to experience within their homes: security, efficiency, and total comfort. Smart tech continues to answer each of these desires in a variety of ways, including:

• Security: thanks to the latest technology, you can have 24/7 surveillance of your home and property, all readily viewable through your smartphone.
• Efficiency: smart homes provide insights into your energy use and offer suggestions for ways to cut down on energy usage for a more efficient home all around.
• Comfort: gone are the days of manually turning on and off lights or appliances — now you can control things all around the house with just the sound of your voice!

So, what exactly is smart home technology?

Defining Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology connects various pieces of technology, systems, and networked devices that are easily controlled through a smartphone application. Sometimes also referred to as home automation, smart home technology consists of systems and devices that work together, sharing data amongst themselves and automating tasks based on an individual’s preferences. 

A smart device is any electronic device that can be connected to your smart home system, meaning it can interact with other devices and can make decisions based on previous experiences. Examples of smart devices include televisions, appliances, alarm systems, cameras, doorbells, etc. 

A smart home system is essentially the hub of your home. It will either be a physical, wall-mounted unit or software that can be accessed via the internet. This “hub” gathers and communicates unique information with each of the connected smart devices, allowing the user to control all parts of their home from one centralized location. 

Making a Home Smarter

There are three important things you will need in order to turn your home into a smart home. The first is a wireless internet connection, because each of your smart devices will need to run on the same wifi network. You can also upgrade your home with a hardwired system, which is considered more reliable and are typically more difficult to hack. However, installing a hardwired system can cost a significant amount of money initially. 

Next, you’ll need any and all smart appliances and devices you want around the home. These can include lighting, thermostats, door locks, cameras, appliances, and more.

Lastly, you’ll need a smart home system to connect, monitor, and control all of your devices — often, this is controlled through a smartphone or tablet application. 

Pros and Cons of Smart Home Technology

In case you missed our last blog, we discussed all the intricate benefits and drawbacks that could potentially come from giving your home a smart technology upgrade. Head over there now to catch up!

Here’s How Eco Smart Home Pros Can Help

Another thing you may want to consider when looking at upgrading your existing system with smart home technology is working with a smart home technology specialist. Despite how user-friendly the end result may be, building a smart home’s infrastructure is no easy feat.

For one thing, you need to ensure that your network is properly built from the start to avoid a variety of issues down the road — including security concerns or losing device connectivity. You also want to be sure that all of your smart devices cooperate with your chosen smart home system, and can be monitored remotely from your smartphone or tablet without issue. Professional smart home installers can also make sure you’re taking full advantage of all the fun features available in your smart home. 

You also want to work with a company who’s going to provide support outside of installation if need be. Chances are, your smart home pro will be able to identify potential issues like overloading your network or needing to strengthen your WiFi to handle future additions way in advance, saving you time and frustration down the road. 

Working with a smart home integrator like Eco Smart Home Pros helps you to understand what’s needed if you want to increase your smart home infrastructure in the future, and these pros will give you the training and tools to troubleshoot any issues that may arise down the road. 

With more than thirty years of experience in programming and technology, Eco Smart Home Pros believe that technology can be the answer to helping you live a happier, healthier, and more sustainable life. Our dedicated team of smart home installation professionals can help you develop a solution that’s optimized for your lifestyle, meeting all of your tech needs both at home and in the workplace. Learn more.