Imagine a world where everything is connected through our smart devices.
Mobile phones, tablets, home computers, windows, lighting, and thermostats, just to name a few.
Well, this thought has now become a reality in home automation.
It seems smart home technologies are the wave of the future.
Everywhere we turn there are new smart home technologies that promise to make our lives easier.
If you are looking to save energy or perhaps establish a better security system within your home, then smart home technologies may be for you.
BC Hydro is very interested in providing better energy management tools for its customers.
The Smart Home revolution has brought forth many new technologies and these technologies are very valuable tools to manage your energy and reduce your energy bill.
The company is currently testing many of these new technologies and you will find some of their favorites in their “Connected Homes” section at bchydro.com.
Smart thermostats, for example, are wonderful for optimizing the comfort of your home and saving energy.
You can program your thermostat to maintain a day and night temperature.
They can be used in conjunction with home automation and allow the user to control the temperatures of their home while connected to the internet.
The user may adjust their air conditioning or heat from other internet-connected devices such as your smart phone.
If security is of interest to you, there are quite a few smart home technologies on the market.
If you would like to monitor what is going on in your home while you are away – and ensure peace of mind – then there are products that will connect your home to your phone for 24/7 surveillance.
The Schlage Camelot Wi-Fi Integrated Lock, for example, is one of BC Hydro’s favourite smart devices.
This integrated lock not only has a nice brushed nickel design, but it has a mobile device that can operate it remotely.
The lock may be used the old fashioned way with a key, or on a keypad.
It has the ability to be set up to lock automatically a few seconds or minutes after it’s closed each time.
You can use the app to monitor the traffic coming and going from your front door.
Smart home technology can be used to automate the home in a way that optimizes the performance of the home.
These days there are devices that work with almost everything and anything in the home and are connectable to the internet.
The bottom line is that you don’t have to solve everything with a smart home device at one time. Start with something like your home security to gain piece of mind and link it to your phone.
From there you can build in new smart home technologies such as energy management and a smarter home lighting system.
If you would like more information about some very topical smart home products, check out cnet.com.
This website tracks the latest consumer technology on the market and gives readers information and tools that will help get the answers required in order to make informed decisions on the smart home products consumers are interested in.
An energy efficient home will not only save you money in the long run, but it will increase your comfort level within your home and ultimately increase the value of your home.
Save smart and live smart.
Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. She also runs Blu Dog Staging & Redesign. bludogstagingandredesign.com
