By John Teehan
Home automation is a rapidly increasing industry that enables homeowners to control many parts of their homes with the push of a button, voice commands, or a smartphone. Products offer a wide variety of advantages, including energy cost reductions in the area of use as well as enhanced security.
Products that automate home systems can make life easier. Homeowners can devote attention to other tasks. Smart appliances, for instance, can be programmed to begin activities such as cooking or washing at predetermined times.
Smart home assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa can manage tasks such as arranging reminders and appointments, playing music, providing weather updates, and more.
Cost and Energy Savings
The ability of home automation devices to reduce energy use is among its most significant advantages. For example, smart lighting systems can switch off the lights automatically if a room is unoccupied. This helps save both power and money. Similarly, smart thermostats, such as those offered by M and M Heating, Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical in Longmont, can learn routines and adjust the temperature when people are away or asleep. This can result in significant energy savings because the HVAC system won’t be working when not needed.
Automated window treatments can take advantage of color radiation and save homeowners energy—especially during the winter. Cameron Miller of Imagine More & Decor notes, “Programmable window shades or blinds can help regulate the temperature within a home, so there is minimal heat loss in the winter and more efficient air conditioning during summer. Our Longmont showroom offers highly regarded window covering brands such as Hunter-Douglas and Lutron and home automation products from Control4, Brilliant, Ring, Google Nest, and more.”
Increased Safety
Another advantage of home automation technology is increased safety. Homeowners with smart security systems can monitor their property using their mobile devices. This allows them to call emergency services or contacts when needed. Smart locks may also be used to manage who has access to a residence and when.
People with limited mobility may benefit significantly from using automation products. For instance, voice control allows those with disabilities to operate aspects of their houses, like lighting without physical interaction. Because many smart home devices respond to voice commands, anyone experiencing an emergency can call for help without having to use a phone.
Yard Work Made Easier
When thinking about home automation, people often think about smart devices used indoors. Some exciting technology is becoming available for managing the outside of a home as well.
Lawn sprinkler timers have been around for a long time. The problem is that a timer isn’t aware of weather and watering needs, especially after rain. Sprinkler systems now come with weather and soil sensors, remote monitoring, and maintenance alerts.
And when it’s time to cut the grass, the Stihl iMow Robot Lawn Mower can take care of it and free up time. Ryan Brown of Longmont Outdoor Power points out that a Stihl iMow can be installed in just a few hours. This includes the power docking station and the perimeter ground wires. It can then be programmed to optimize mowing pattern, cut height, and more. Regular use also keeps the lawn from developing too much thatch. These mowers tend to only need maintenance every one or two years and come in different models depending on your needs and the size of your lawn.
The Time For Home Automation Has Come
Home automation products provide homeowners with various advantages,. These benefits will likely expand as technology progresses; as a result, you’ll probably see more home automation devices come on the market, making life easier and more affordable.
