Home Works
Smart Electronics Integrating Tech at Home
By Anne Yankus
In the last 20 years, smart tech has become both affordable and commonplace in new and existing homes. We’re even coming to call such homes“smart homes.”What does that mean? Smart homes are an amalgamation of all the smart tech items and appliances in the home, which are connected via the“Internet of Things.”This is a fancy way of saying your smart appliances are connected through a digital network (like Wi-Fi). The Internet of Things is also what makes it possible to control your refrigerator or doorbell through an app on your smart phone. Smart home tech isn’t just about controlling house lights while you’re bored at work, though. It can also be automated with things like motion sensor lights, scheduled pet feedings, or even keyless entry doors to make your life easier. There is a huge range of smart appliances out there for your convenience. Some of the most common examples are clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, vacuums, ovens, microwaves, cameras, coffeemakers, televisions, refrigerators, locks, thermostats, and light bulbs. Most of these appliances work much like the old appliances you’re used to, but they have the added benefit of being connected to a programmable device that allows you to access them remotely from anywhere. You can set things to run automatically or send you reminders. You may be surprised by how much you can improve your home’s energy efficiency, safety, and security with simple automation—that is, by eliminating natural human error. Speaking of security, smart tech can even eliminate the need for bulky, overpriced home security systems and contracts. Many smart security system companies offer a variety of items, including cameras (both indoors and outdoors), video doorbells, motion sensors, smart locks, and even optional 24/7 surveillance by a professional team. Though some devices can be installed using your home’s existing wiring, most smart security items are wireless and will need to have additional batteries purchased to ensure they remain active when you need them. Conveniently, many smart security devices are sold individually, which allows you build your own customized security system. Smart home technology has just about reached a point where even if you purchase a third-party or offbrand smart device, you can usually link it in with one of the big-name smart home system networks. This means that you won’t need a separate app on your smart phone for each smart appliance and device you have installed. Usually, anything you can’t access from a mainstay app on your smart phone, you can control using a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Echo. Making sure all your devices link together and can be accessed by a single remote controller is also what 28
November 2020
distinguishes your living room television from your home theater. Modern home theaters aren’t just fancy chairs and a big screen or projector. What really makes or breaks a home theater experience is the sound. To accomplish this, you’ll need to buy a high-quality sound system (usually, a sound bar and a few additional speakers to create a surround sound). Fortunately, with the same Internet of Things technology as the rest of your smart devices, hooking up several speakers to play sound simultaneously with your screen has never been easier. Once you’ve decided to purchase one or more smart home items, the next step is installing them. Some companies do offer home delivery and installation, but many smart appliances are made to be bought off the shelf and installed by the customer. If you don’t have any knowledge or experience with electronics and wiring, this can be anywhere from tricky to downright dangerous. You may be able to handle set-up for smart speaker that connects wirelessly through protocols such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. However, smart light switches, wall outlets, thermostats, sprinkler controllers, smoke alarms, and some video doorbells will require you to disconnect your existing hardware and wire in your new smart tech without damaging the wires or electrocuting yourself. You’re better off calling in a professional for that kind of installation. For installing just a handful of items, your best bet is probably to hire a local electrician. If you’re looking to install more than just a few smart devices, or if you’re building your smart home infrastructure from the ground up, you may want to hire a tech consultant. A tech consultant can help you find the right custom installers for the job and make sure that all your items work exactly the way they’re supposed to. With the right appliances and professional help, you can really bring your home into the modern age with all the ease and convenience that a smart home brings! Sources for this article included: hunker.com, pcmag.com, and electronichouse.com.
