Looking to get more out of your house or apartment? Turning it into a smart home could be the best way to improve its efficiency and make everyday living that little bit easier for you.
It’s estimated that almost 16 million homes in the UK have smart capabilities, so if you’re thinking of upgrading yours too, we’ve prepared a guide with all the information you need to know about smart homes. This includes the benefits of having one and how you can implement smart components into your property, so read on to find out more.
Benefits of a Smart Home:
Increased energy efficiency
One of the main benefits of smart homes is greater energy efficiency, which means you should be able to save money on gas and electricity bills every month. It’s believed that this could be savings of as much as £450 every year, proving just how valuable it can be to invest in smart home technology.
Increased convenience
Smart homes usually have a centralised control system such as a tablet, smartphone or voice-activated device, which means you can control just about any electrical component in your home without having to move. So, whether you want to turn down your heating or switch off a light, you can do so from your sofa or bed.
Improved security
Smart devices like camera doorbells allow you to keep an eye on your property when you’re not there. These can alert you if there’s movement outside your home, so you can quickly view the footage and see if your home’s in danger.
You can also buy digital locking systems that can be controlled by your phone as well. This means you can check the locked status of your house whenever you’re unsure if you’ve locked the door for greater peace of mind.
How to implement smart devices into your home
The following items are all must-haves for your smart home:
- Smart plugs – this kind of smart device utilises PCB design and allows you to turn off lights or other electrical equipment by simply tapping your phone
- Smart radiator valves – if you want to control your radiators remotely, then these are a must. Simply replace your current valves and you’ll be good to go
- Thermostats – adjust your thermostat remotely to help save money and control the temperature of your home better
- Consider a smart hub – controlling all of your devices from one central portal means you have access to all your electrical components in one place
- Voice command devices – if you want an even more straightforward solution, choose a device like Amazon Alexa and ask it to change the temperature of your home or turn lights off
