Smart Home Technology to Keep an Eye on and Features of a Smart House

How Does Smart House Technology Work?

Smart house technology works by connecting devices and systems in your home through a central network, allowing you to control and automate them remotely using your device.

For example, you can control lighting, adjust the thermostat, lock or unlock doors, and even monitor security cameras — all from one smart home app. Many devices come with self-learning capabilities, which means they can adapt to your routines. A smart thermostat might learn when you're home and automatically adjust the temperature to save energy. Smart lighting can be set to turn on or off based on time of day or motion detection.

Smart house technology also integrates with the Internet of Things, which allows these devices to share data with one another. For example, a smart security system can communicate with motion sensors and cameras to alert you if unusual activity is detected. Some systems can even contact emergency services in case of a fire or break-in, enhancing both convenience and safety.

Smart Home Technology Examples

If you’re looking around your home wondering which of your current devices could become "smart," it’s probably easier to ask, "What can’t be turned into a smart device?" 

Almost anything that plugs in has a smart version available these days. To help you get started, here are some smart home technology examples worth exploring.

Ajax Systems - Smart Security

Ajax System is a Ukrainian company that specializes in developing high-tech wireless security systems.

• It uses a proprietary wireless technology called Jeweller, which provides a range of up to 2,000 meters between devices and the hub. This allows for secure communication between components without the need for hardwiring, making installation flexible and suitable for large homes or offices. 

• Ajax devices are designed with long battery life in mind, with some components lasting up to 7 years on a single battery. 

• Its multi-tiered security setup includes motion detectors, door and window sensors, smoke detectors, and glass break detectors, all of which are connected to a central hub. 

• Ajax also features anti-jamming technology and encrypted communication to prevent hacking or interference, ensuring the security of the system even in the case of sophisticated attacks.

• Ajax integrates with a wide range of smart home technology platforms and allows homeowners to manage security settings, receive real-time alerts, and automate certain actions, like turning off lights when the security system is armed. 

Nest - Smart Thermostats

Nest is a Google-owned company that designs smart thermostats to make home heating and cooling more energy-efficient and user-friendly. What makes it special is the ability of Nest to learn from your habits to automatically adjust the temperature based on your routine.

• Nest observes your temperature preferences and schedules to create a personalized setting for your home.

• It detects if you're home or away using sensors and your phone's location, adjusting temperatures to save energy when you're not around.

• Nest works with Google Assistant, Alexa, and other smart home systems for easy control via voice or smartphone.

• Through the Nest app, users receive reports showing energy usage and tips on saving more.

Philips Hue - Smart Lightning

Philips Hue is a popular brand in smart lighting that offers customizable lighting easily controlled through an app or voice commands.

• Users can choose from millions of colors or adjust the brightness to suit your mood or activity.

• The Hue Bridge connects up to 50 smart lights, allowing you to control every light in your home from one place.

• Philips Hue works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for hands-free control.

• You can set schedules, automate lights to turn on/off when you leave or enter, and sync lighting with music, movies, or games for an immersive experience.

• With automation systems and remote control, users can ensure lights are only on when needed, helping to cut down on energy usage.

Key Smart Home Technologies to Watch

Voice-Activated Assistants

Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri are now integrated into millions of devices, from smart speakers to cars, appliances, and more. Google Assistant, for example, can understand and speak over 30 languages, making it accessible to millions users worldwide. Amazon Alexa now extends features of a smart house with machine learning capabilities that allow it to learn new skills based on user preferences and improve over time without updates.

Smart Security Systems

Modern systems allow homeowners to monitor their homes remotely in real time from anywhere in the world using mobile apps. Smart security cameras and doorbells like Ring and Nest Hello have been credited with preventing break-ins by alerting homeowners and deterring burglars before a crime is committed.

Smart Lighting Solutions

Smart lighting systems, such as Philips Hue and LIFX, allow users to automate lighting based on time of day or occupancy, helping reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.

Energy Management Systems

Many energy management systems now provide detailed energy usage reports, helping homeowners understand how and where they can save energy. For example, Tesla Powerwall, allow homes to store solar energy and even sell excess energy back to the grid, increasing energy independence and reducing costs.

Smart Appliances and Home Automation

Smart house technologies like Apple HomeKit or Samsung SmartThings allow users to set automated routines, such as turning off lights, locking doors, and adjusting the thermostat, all with one command or at a set time. 

Tovala Smart Ovens use built-in recipes and sensors to automatically cook meals to perfection, eliminating guesswork from cooking.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Smart Homes

Smart house technology offers a wide range of benefits, from the convenience of controlling your appliances remotely like starting the washing machine while you're at work to the comfort of adjusting the thermostat from your phone on a chilly evening.

However, despite the advantages smart houses features provide, smart home systems haven’t become mainstream as quickly as expected, mainly due to their technical complexity and some inherent drawbacks.

Security of the Smart Home System

Smart locks, cameras, and sensors are integrated into one cohesive system that you can control from anywhere.

Imagine you're away on vacation, and someone approaches your front door. A smart camera detects the movement, sending you a real-time notification with a live video feed straight to your phone. You can see who it is, communicate through a built-in speaker, and if necessary, lock or unlock the door remotely using your smart lock.

Beyond just monitoring, these systems can act automatically. For example, if a door is left open or suspicious activity is detected, the system can trigger alarms, notify you immediately, or even contact emergency services if needed. This setup gives homeowners peace of mind, knowing they can manage their home’s security from anywhere, whether they’re at work or halfway across the world.

Future Trends in Smart Home Technology

From AI learning your daily routine to homes generating their own energy, these trends in smart house technologies are about to make our living spaces smarter, greener, and more intuitive than we could imagine.

AI and Machine Learning in Smart Homes

A smart thermostat can already adjust to your preferred temperature based on the time of day, but future versions could predict temperature changes based on weather forecasts or your daily tasks, automatically ensuring the perfect climate. 

AI-powered systems may also learn from your behavior to anticipate your lighting, entertainment, or security needs. For example, they could recognize patterns in your routine, automatically turning off lights when no one is home or preparing your living room for movie night by dimming the lights and starting your preferred streaming service.

The Role of IoT in Expanding Smart Home Capabilities

The Internet of Things has already made homes more connected, but the future will take this even further by integrating more devices into the smart home ecosystem. Currently, smart house technology can control thermostats, lights, and security systems, but the next wave will include kitchen appliances, health monitoring systems, and even furniture. 

Think about a refrigerator that not only reminds you when you’re out of groceries but also orders them for you based on your regular consumption. Smart beds could monitor your sleep patterns and automatically adjust your alarm for optimal rest. As IoT devices grow in number and functionality, they will communicate seamlessly, creating homes that work together to enhance convenience, security, and comfort.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Smart Home Solutions

Sustainability is becoming a core focus in smart home technology, with eco-friendly solutions designed to reduce energy consumption and waste. Future smart homes could use renewable energy sources, such as solar panels integrated into roofs that are optimized by AI to store and distribute energy efficiently. Smart irrigation systems will precisely monitor soil moisture and weather conditions to water plants only when necessary, conserving water. 

Smart energy management systems already allow homeowners to track their energy usage in real-time, suggesting ways to cut down on consumption or switch to more sustainable energy sources. Future technology in the home could automatically reduce their carbon footprint by adjusting energy use based on the household's needs and external environmental factors.

Bring Your Smart Home Technologies Vision to Life with inVerita

Technology in the home is transforming everyday living into something more efficient, connected, and user-friendly. From smart thermostats to advanced security systems, more and more homes are adopting tech solutions that make life easier and more sustainable.