The loT Fuels Your Smart Home System

rnThe Internet of Things (IoT) has recently expanded into industrial applications and driven the impulse to create smart cities. However, the first place where it really started to illustrate what it was capable of was the home. Like the little engine that could, the IoT is chugging along, slowly but surely, to change consumers’ perceptions. It’s predicted that the number of IoT-connected devices worldwide will increase to more than 75 billion by 2025. Some people love the IoT and can’t wait to get their hands on every new cool device that’s released. Others are scared or remain unsure. Having a picture of what the IoT looks like in their home and an idea of how it could change the way they live and connect with society is one way to help people feel more comfortable. What does this mean for you? Here’s what the smart home of the near future looks like,thanks to some of the devices now available: Front Door The smart home starts at the front door. Smart home products allow you to take control of the front door and remotely monitor who visits your home. A smart lock lets you provide entry into your home from your smartphone, and you can give others access to your house via their phones. This includes your kids, the dog sitter, or even service personnel, and it’s essential in an era when nearly 2 million burglaries occur annually. A smart video doorbell, like SkyBell, connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network and allows you to see the people at your door from a smartphone and converse with them. You’ll feel better knowing you can see who’s at your door at any moment from anywhere. Garage Today, you can start your car with your phone and even set the desired temperature inside. Your tunes are ready to play, and your route — with traffic alerts — can be prepared. The lights come on as soon as you enter the garage. From your phone, you can open your garage and lock the door behind you. Kuna, an outdoor light-turned-security camera, can heighten security in darkened areas around garages, trash cans, and shrubbery. The system sends a live stream of the activity occurring around the outdoor light, and it can automatically alert a homeowner by phone when it picks up on motion. Kitchen The kitchen has become the hub for what theIoT can do; it’s the “heart” of most people’s homes. We’ve all had programmable coffee makers for awhile now, but the IoT takes it to the next level with refrigerators that note when you’re running out of a certain item, adding it to your digital grocery list or simply ordering more for you. It also reminds you when certain items in your refrigerator are about to expire based on the products’ RFID codes. Your IoT refrigerator can also recommend recipes if you’re struggling to figure out what to fix for your family. Bedrooms and Living Spaces Lights can be programmed to change throughout an IoT-enabled home, according to each person’s routine for school or work. For example, lights come on in the morning when it’s time to rise and shine. Lights and ceiling fans come on in the evening in certain rooms, based on their use, while remaining off when no one’s in them. Climate is also controlled individually in each bedroom, according to personal comfort levels. rnRecommendations for clothing are selected for you based on the weather report delivered to your mobile phone. Nest is one popular smart thermostat that learns users’ patterns and habits and adjusts the environment accordingly, without programming. Beyond its remote abilities, it can also be set to track your movements to provide hands-free comfort as you transition from room to room. Yard Your yard is also part of the connected home network, with everything including lights, music, and misters attached and controlled through a central hub. If you have a swimming pool, this can also be added to your home network. With it, you can monitor energy consumption, efficiency, and water chemistry. Of course, it also activates lights, water heating, and any water features you have, like a slide or waterfall. Away From Your Smart Home One thing many consumers really enjoy is the control and home security they feel when away from their home. This includes being able to visually monitor who’s approached the front door, who entered and left the home, and more. rnOften, the first thought when driving away from your home to enjoy a vacation is whether you left something on. Homeowners no longer have to wonder because their mobile devices can tell them and help turn the device off. Their thermostats can also monitor the temperature and maximize efficiency based on the current season. You’re in Control Devices are becoming more affordable and delivering a faster return on investment. Plus, with the introduction of central hubs, a growing number of devices can be integrated through your smartphone for ease of use. This blueprint of the smart home shows you are in control and can enjoy greater convenience, enhanced security, optimum energy consumption, time savings, and overall comfort through the IoT devices within your home. Thanks to the IoT, the future is already here.