The Advantages of Home Automation

Until recently, the idea of home automation was relatively unfamiliar to most people. However, as more products and technologies become more easily accessible, homeowners across the country are upgrading their homes.

What is home automation? Basically, home automation puts control of certain home systems and appliances into the hands of the homeowner and provides access from a remote point - like a smartphone app, or a centralised unit inside the home. Similar to some of the futuristic technology seen on tv shows such as "Star Trek", it's now possible to control things like your home lighting, taps, and even security systems with the touch of a screen, the swipe of a finger and the sound of your voice.

There are a lot of hidden benefits to automating your home that you might not have thought about before.

Benefits to Home Automation

1. Security

Tap your finger to turn on the lights when you get home so you worried about what's hiding in the shadows, or in your pathways. Or automate to turn on when you aren't home to give the impression that you are. Door locks are another automated home product that can increase your home security.

Worried that you forgot to lock the front door? Or that someone will discover your not-so-secret hiding place for the extra key? Take control of your home safety from a simple app. With some products, you can even get an alert every time someone enters your home.

2. Energy Efficiency

Increase your home's energy efficiency by remotely powering off systems and appliances when they aren't in use. In addition to the standard home automation products that give you active control, some products actively monitor systems and arm the homeowner with knowledge, insight and guidance to achieve greater control and energy efficiency.

3. Savings

Home automation literally pays off. When you are able to use home systems and appliances only when needed, the savings will be apparent in the first utility bill. No more wasting money on lights left on when you aren't home, or spending money on gas to drive home because you forgot to lock the door. Monetary savings are apparent, but you'll also be saving time. No wasted trips home, no running through the house turning everything off, no time spent worrying about what was or wasn't turned off.

4. Convenience

Don't you hate having to rely on neighbours to watch your house when you're gone? With home automation, convenient control of your home is at your fingertips. You don't have to trust someone else with your most valued possessions.

5. Comfort

Ever leave for work in the morning when it was a comfortable 25° outside only to come home to a sweltering house because the temperature shot up to 35°? Connected home products let you conveniently adjust your home temperature from a mobile app so that your family is always comfortable.

6. Peace of Mind

One of the biggest hidden benefits that comes with home automation is peace of mind. No more worrying if you turned of the lights, locked the door or turned off the television. For people who have a lot on their plates, being able to easily check these items off the to-do list and stop the obsessive worrying, home automation is reassuring and definitely worth the investment.