Consider this.....
Have you ever left the stove on? Imagine being
able to connect to your home remotely from your smartphone to turn it off!
Connected home devices now have the
capability to connect to everything from computers, TVs, to Wi-Fi networks, appliances,
HVAC systems, door locks, thermostats, garage doors, motion sensors, cameras,
water leak sensors, light bulbs, switches, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,
plugs, outlets, power strips, and music systems.
Make your home smart
Home automation solutions largely depend on
time, money and technical capability. Whether
your motivation behind making a home "connected" or "smart"
are for comfort, convenience, control,
cost savings, or security, the options are endless! New devices enter the
market daily.
Things to consider:
- Define
your budget, clearly outline your needs, do your research, and decide if you
want to execute your home automation plan or if you would rather hire a
professional.
Here are some examples of the types of connected home solutions available:
Simple solutions:
- Babies - monitor sleeping babies,
switching off lights or sound machines when required
- Toddlers – keep an eye on curious
toddlers with cabinet sensors, alerting you when they are opened
- Children - monitor children arriving
home from school with motion and contact sensors, and video cameras
- Elderly - communicate and care for
elderly loved ones with wearable devices and easy-to-install all-in-one devices
- Pets - monitor pets, their
whereabouts in your home and eating habits
- Pipes – keep an eye on pipe
temperatures so that they’re less likely to freeze
More complex solutions:
- Water leaks – be alerted when leaks
happen, and remotely turn off the water supply using a smart shut-off valve
- Waking up – schedule the thermostat
to make the house warmer before you wake up, and lights to turn on
- Leaving the house – activate smart plugs and
lights to switch off when you leave
- Motion-activated lighting – turns on when you step
into a room, and turns off after you leave
Involved projects:
- Carbon Monoxide - monitor and mitigate
carbon monoxide leaks with an indoor siren, activate ceiling fans, turn on
bedroom lights
- Doors – unlock and lock doors and
garage doors; monitor movement with sensors and cameras
- Breaking glass – install sensors for
breaking glass, activating an indoor siren to sound, lights to turn on, a
camera to start recording, and an alert to your smart device
- Home protection – activate cameras, sensors
and automated lights around your home
Some of the systems controlled by smart home
devices (heating, cooling, security systems, etc.) may not be covered by a
typical homeowners policy. Click below to see if you have proper
coverage or find coverage through one of our partner companies.