What is a "smart home" - who needs it and why

All technological processes that take place in the world are aimed at reducing human physical labor to a minimum. Self-driving cars, robotic vacuum cleaners, automatic conveyors, even regular smartphones. Everything is aimed at simplifying people's lives. All this taken together and led manufacturers to the idea - to create a "smart home".

A smart home is a complex of automated equipment that is capable of performing its intended purpose without user intervention. The task of the system is to perform daily tasks with minimal human intervention.

 

What is included in the "Smart House" complex

 

All equipment and electronics that can be controlled by a computer fall into the category of automated systems. In the context of a private house, these are:

 

• Systems equipped with electronic locks - doors, windows, gates, pool covers, loft hatches.
• Engineering networks and equipment - heating, water supply, sewerage.
• Power supply systems - solar panels and wind power plants, lighting.
• Electrical engineering - air conditioners, TVs, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, ovens and other appliances.

 

The list of electronics and equipment is much larger and is constantly updated with new products. From smart sockets to emergency warning systems.

 

How does a smart home work - what is needed for this

 

The brain of the entire automated system is the “smart home” hub. It is called the host computer or controller. Hub tasks:

 

• Get access to control of all devices via wired and wireless communication channels.
• Systematize all equipment, creating convenient functionality for the owner for it.
• Create unimpeded user access to control and diagnostics from anywhere in the world.

 

Many manufacturers of such equipment promise abundant functionality and ease of configuration. At the stage of purchase, you need to take care of the safety of the entire system. The peculiarity of the "smart home" is that a successful intrusion into the hub of intruders will create big problems for the owner of the house. Hardware and software must be protected.

This is why smart home systems are so expensive for buyers who turn to specialized professionals. It is easy to set up cheap Chinese equipment offered on the respective trading platforms. But we must always remember about safety.

 

What are the most popular smart home systems - climate control

 

Among the list of equipment, climate control ranks first in popularity. The system includes:

 

• Ventilation. Supply and exhaust. They work together. Suitable for kitchens, basements, garages, saunas.
• Conditioners. Heating or cooling the whole room or by zones.
• Humidifiers, purifiers and ozonizers. They monitor the quality and humidity of air inside residential and non-residential premises.
• Floor heating. Bathrooms, bedrooms.

Climate control systems are considered the most difficult to operate and configure. To achieve the desired result, you will have to acquire special sensors that must be installed throughout the house.

 

Security system for smart home

 

Protection against unauthorized entry into the home is an excellent solution for all owners of houses and apartments. But, keeping in mind the safety, it is better to entrust the installation and configuration of such specific equipment to professionals. Companies that position themselves for the protection of private objects. Even if a break-in occurs, the responsibility for the loss of property will fall on the shoulders of the performer. This is an important point that many people simply ignore.

Yes. For the protection of the home, you will have to pay monthly bills to the security agency. But it's worth it. Gas, smoke, flood detectors can be installed immediately. It is even possible to install fire extinguishing systems inside the dwelling. And also, automatic taps for shutting off water and shields with power outages.

 

Video surveillance system

 

Video cameras are more often installed by parents to monitor their children, or people raising pets. This is a convenient solution that can simultaneously record intruders who entered the house. The main thing is to properly organize the video recording and storage system. You will have to buy a server with an autonomous power supply system and hide it away from living quarters.

Security installation companies often offer a similar solution. It is not always attractive. Since the alarm is connected to one unit with the main system. And there is already a lottery - whether a security agency will follow your actions or not. It is better when things such as surveillance and security work separately (but within the "smart home" hub).

 

Lighting and smart plugs

 

With smart lamps, everything is clear - it is convenient, beautiful and economical. If you install LED lamps, then it is better to immediately buy with RGB backlighting. You can create an entourage in any room for any task. Party, office, leisure, family - there are hundreds of options.

This is not the case with smart plugs. These are ordinary electrical or internet sockets with a built-in relay switch. Convenience is only on-off control. In practice, this is a useless thing that few people will use. All this is not cheap - it is up to the buyer to choose.

 

Smart home for multimedia and household appliances

 

No innovation for multimedia is better than DLNA. You can listen for hours or read about ease of operation. But all the same, the technique has to be configured separately. It is better to immediately buy a TV, acoustics, home theater, tablet. Phone, webcams and other DLNA-enabled gadgets. All this can be connected to one network and controlled from a smartphone. There is no point in spending money.

Household appliances are another matter. The "smart home" system in this direction has made great strides forward. By connecting household appliances and kitchen utensils to the hub, you can relax and have fun. Remote control, task execution control, completion notification - no need to run anywhere. You can follow the process from start to finish from the smartphone screen. Very comfortably.