Before you know it - thanks to smart phones, tablets, and wireless technology - your home will be connected to the Internet of Things. Sure, home automation costs a few shekels, but just imagine it! You could be the envy of Jane Jetson, receiving text messages from your slow cooker, giving voice commands to water the lawn, and using a smart phone app to open the locks on your door.1 Home Automation could help you:
- Save money on heating and cooling.Smart thermostats adjust themselves and estimates suggest they may reduce energy usage by as much as 20 percent.
- Know who comes and goes. The same keyless access system that lets you unlock doors with your smart phone can also monitor home access.
- Turn on the heat, lights, and walls. You can manage climate, lighting, and audio on your drive home. Have your smart walls pull up the artwork you feel like seeing and signal your digital backsplash to display the recipe you need for dinner.
- Enjoy greater peace of mind. You'll never have to worry that you forgot to turn off an appliance or neglected to turn on the slow cooker. With the right tech,you can check without going back home.
Last year, PC Magazine pointed out there are many different communication protocols in use, so not all home automation products will be compatible. One enterprising company has developed a hub that understands multiple protocols so houses whose gadgets speak different languages can communicate.3
If you decide to automate, make sure the products you choose have sound security measures in place. As with anything connected to the internet, systems can be hacked. Make sure you know how your home is protected.2
1 http://www.smarthome.com/sc-solution-center
3 www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410890,00.asp