Smart home technology isn’t just something of the future...we are in the future! This technology is more than an idea, it's part of everyday life and more mainstream than ever in today's culture.

Smart Homes

A smart home is a residence that uses internet-connected devices to enable the remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems, such as lighting and heating. Another name for smart home technology is home automation or domotics (from the Latin "domus" meaning home). The idea is to provide homeowners security, comfort, convenience and energy efficiency by allowing them to control smart devices, often by a smart home app on their smartphone or other networked device.

Smart Home History

Before we dive into what smart home technology is today, we must first take a look into the history of smart homes and smart home tech. The idea of home automation has been around for some time, but actual smart homes have only existed within the last decade. 

This timeline created by Drew Hendricks explores The History of Smart Homes,

1901 – 1920– The invention of home appliances - Although home appliances aren’t what we’d consider “smart,” they were an incredible achievement in the early twentieth century. These achievements began with the first engine-powered vacuum cleaner in 1901. A more practical electricity-powered vacuum was invented in 1907. Throughout two decades refrigerators would be invented, as well as clothes dryers, washing machines, irons, toasters, and so much more. It was a fantastic time for anyone who was employed as a maid by a very affluent family.

1966 - 1967 – ECHO IV and the Kitchen Computer – Although it was never commercially sold, the ECHO IV was the first smart device. This clever device could compute shopping lists, control the home’s temperature and turn appliances on and off. The Kitchen Computer, developed a year later, could store recipes, but had the unfortunate tagline, “If she can only cook as well as Honeywell can computer” and therefore sold no models.

1991 – Gerontechnology – Gerontechnology combines gerontology and technology and  makes the lives of senior citizens easier. In the 1990s, there was a lot of new research and technology in this sector. Remember, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up?” Life Alert is one example of gerontechnology.

1998 – Early 2000s – Smart Homes – Smart homes, or home automation, began to increase in popularity in the early 2000s. As such, different technology began to emerge. Smart homes suddenly became a more affordable option, and therefore a viable technology for consumers. Domestic technologies, home networking, and other gadgets began to appear on store shelves.

Today’s Smart Homes – Today’s smart homes are more about security and living greener. Our smart homes are sustainable, and they help to ensure that our homes aren’t expending unnecessary energy. They also help alert us to intruders (whether we’re home or not).

Most people like to be able to control or monitor almost everything from an app. People are busy, and this helps to simplify their daily lives.  They can accomplish multiple tasks by just asking Alexa or Google to do it for them.

Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology allows users to control and monitor their connected home devices from Smart home apps, smartphones, or other networked devices. Users can remotely control connected home systems whether they are home or away. This allows for more efficient energy and electric use as well as ensuring your home is secure. 

We asked the pros at Security Plus, LLC what some of the latest trends in smart home technology were and here’s what they had to say:

Security | Smart security systems.  Today security systems not only protect your home and family, but also can control your thermostat or turn on a light, unlock your doors or view your cameras from an app.  There is some comfort in being able to monitor when you kids get home from school, or there is a package delivered to your front door.  Any of these things can be accomplished now in today’s security systems.

Entertainment | Scene setting.  This means from the touch of one button, or built in touch screens, or for that matter an app on your phone, you can set scenes for what you want to happen next.  Example, it’s movie night.  Touch one button and your lights dim, projector turns on and screen drops, the movie comes on in your home theater with surround sound.  But you need another drink or snacks before the movie is over, press a pause button and the movie stops, the lights turn back on, and you missed nothing.

Kitchen | In wall touch screens.  These are multi-purpose which is just what is needed in a kitchen.  You can control your music, look for recipes, even let your guest in that is ringing your doorbell without ever having to stop what you are doing, cooking or entertaining.

Sound | Most people aren’t aware that with products, you can play your favorite streaming music services like Pandora or Spotify, or access stations from around the world.  The variety of what you can listen to is almost endless.  We can design these sound options to be as customized as the customer would like.

Smart home technology goes beyond those four categories and is found in a wide range of household devices, including:

• Wireless speaker systems (the most popular)
• Thermostats
• Home security & monitoring systems
• Domestic robots
• Smoke/CO detectors
• Lighting
• Home energy use monitors
• Door locks
• Refrigerators
• Laundry machines
• Water detectors

As technology evolves, more “controllable devices” will be available in the coming years.  Although there are many devices available now, it will become more mainstream.  There is a high demand for this lifestyle, and technology will deliver.

For people just beginning with smart home technology, they think that it’s too expensive to have in their home.  While there are some options that can be a bit pricey, most are extremely affordable for the average homeowner.  The key is to get some recommendations on a reputable company that provides free consultations.

One important thing to remember when looking into smart home technology and smart homes is your network. Since many smart devices work on the network, you need to make sure its strong enough to support what you want it to do.  Whenever possible, hardwiring is key.  Always hire a professional to assist you in designing your network, but don’t pay for the consultation, most companies will do that for free.