Smart Home Devices Of 2017 – Saving On Energy In Smart Cities

Smart Home Managing Devices We started our virtual exploration of smart home technology called the Home automation or domotics in the last blog with its neoteric applications, benefits and the evolving networking protocols like the X10, Z-wave, ZigBee, and Insteon. Making a mark from there, today we’ll be discussing the variety of smart home devices which are popularising in 2017.

How important these small home devices are can be determined from the global analysis which suggests that 48% of the total energy production consumed by the households is for heating and cooling. Hence, these devices can hugely save on energy and cost indirectly contributing towards making smart cities more sustainable and energy-rich.

A whole lot of benefits of using the connected devices for a smart home will make the sales of these devices grow up to 30 billion by 2020. So, let us learn about how can we make our homes smart cum energy efficient.

The Future Of Smartphones

The advent of smartphones has proved to be one of the most important milestones in the history of computer technology so far. The tech trend since then has taken to an unbreakable speed, reaching new horizons of intelligent technology and its smart devices.

When coming to the smart devices of home automation, smartphone plays a crucial role in being the manipulator of the internet of things while being in your pocket. All in all, smartphone helps you to manage everything when you’re not home. The installed apps help you to stay in contact with your smart devices anytime anywhere.

All the smart home gadgets discussed below can be remotely controlled by a smartphone.

The Smart Home Gadgets Of Smart Cities

Thermostat
Heating and air-conditioning account for more than half of the overall household energy consumption. So, being a part of the HVAC system, a thermostat helps in efficiently stabilising the power demand by regulating its functioning hours to counterbalance the electrical influx during the peak hours. This important aspect saves a lot of energy when you are away from home. What’s more, it gives you all the freedom in the world to adjust the home temperature as per your requirement.

Nest Learning Thermostat – The nest thermostat does everything from saving energy to making the indoor climate cozy for you. However, it is operable only in the limited area where it is installed. Starting from 2011, millions of homes across the globe have remarkably saved about four billion kWh of energy – thanks to the nest thermostat!

Ecobee3 – If you own a larger household, then a better choice would be ecobee3. Its features are similar to those of Nest but it enables temperature adjustments in several rooms in the house coupled with more than one remote sensors. The Thermostat is accommodated with a sleek and broad touch display to record the WiFi password, check for the weather update and access the settings. The fresh version of it is known as Ecobee 4.

Smart Lights
A smart light is an LED bulb enabled to connect to internet or WiFi. The lights are remotely customisable and controlled by a smartphone or integrated home automation hub in the house. You can schedule the lights to change colours or shades through a smartphone app connected to it.

Philips Hue – Smart Light Bulbs – The perfectly designed smart LED bulbs add moods to your rooms with an adjustable range of more than million shades. The bulbs work remotely by turning off and on whenever you need. Plus, you can set the automated timer by picking up any shade you like. The bulbs are available in different colours and are efficient in saving energy.

BeOn Starter Pack – These LED bulb systems are so energy efficient that it can cut your energy bills into the half.

Smart Switch
This smart device can voluntarily compensate for a smart bulb if you don’t have one at home. The switch resembles the ordinary switches in looks but smart feature added to it makes it different. The switch has features to connect to the internet. This helps you to switch on or switch off other devices in the house through a mobile app. Some advanced switches are featured with an electricity monitor and dimmer that prove to be energy saving.

Belkin Wemo Smart Switch – The home appliances, televisions and other electronics keep using up the energy even when they are powered off. That’s when Belkin’s Wemo switch comes into play and saves energy from being consumed by the physically plugged electronics. The smart switch can function by connecting it to the WiFi and plugging into an already existing AC outlet.

Smart Security System

A smart security system is not just one device securing the home. It’s an integrated system coupled with devices like cameras, motion sensors, leak detectors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and smart locks. Each smart device is described in detail below:

Smart Camera
Advancement in smart cameras has made it less pricey, accessible and easily installable. It can be embedded on the walls or simply propped up on a rack or table. The smart cameras easily connect to WiFi and give you all-time visual data of what’s going indoors just by a click on your smartphone.

Some of the popular smart cameras are Nest Can, Logo Circle, Netgear Arlo, Arcsoft Simplicam etc.

Motion Sensors
Being the cohesive source of support and security, motion sensors form the backbone of your security system. It cleverly detects threats or awkward movement of a person or a thing around the house and sends signals to your smartphone. If in case the sensor has been tricked by someone or put off it will immediately send signals to the main control panel and your smartphone.

Latest motion sensors are Sadotech, Aeotec Z-Wave Multi-Sensor etc.

Smart Locks
Smart locks are designed to perform locking and unlocking of the doors electromechanically. Same as other devices the lock is linked to your smartphone through wireless protocol. So, even if you forget to lock your doors before heading towards office, there is nothing to worry about.

Latest smart lock example is August Smart Lock.

Smart Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detector
The detector is internet-capable just like other smart devices. In case of emergency, it sends speedy alarms in less than a second to your smartphone. Few of the detectors in the market are tailor-made to sense abruptly changing weather conditions like tornado or hurricane and send quick notifications to your smartphone. Furthermore, the detectors keep check on the rising levels of smoke in the house and keep notifying you much before the alarm rings.

Halo+ – It’s the best example of a detector which has all the specifications mentioned above.

Nest Protect – Another potential device from Nest is a smoke and carbon dioxide emission detector that protects you day in and out from the possible dangers indoor. Beyond the principal feature, the device is equipped with a ‘pathlight’ that turns on whenever it senses someone walking in the dark. Even more, while you are away and the device senses a probable danger, it will immediately send you an alert on your smartphone.

Leak Detector
The best device to save water and energy by potentially finding out leaks and overflow in the house. The leak detectors come with a humidity and temperature reading facility. It offers easy setup and connects to the wireless protocol to be virtually in contact with you.

Leak detectors are of different types like water leak detectors and refrigerant leak detectors.

The smart devices of home automation are advancing in a way to save energy and make your daily expenditure cost effective. This eventually saves an enormous amount of energy in smart cities. The ultimate presence of these convenient and energy saving gadgets itself will make you conscious about saving energy. Make your home smart and your city will be chosen smartly.

Come back to know more about smart homes in the next blog.

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