This article explores 10 advanced features that you may not know your smart home can do. Instead of throwing out old appliances, you can control them remotely using smart plugs. Smart home devices can also help you save energy by monitoring your home’s consumption. They can be integrated with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Home to control them with voice commands. Automating your lighting, setting up geofencing, and using smart locks are also discussed. Home security can be improved using motion sensors that send smartphone notifications, and water usage can be reduced with smart irrigation and showerheads. Lastly, environmental sensors can be connected to your smart home devices for a healthier home environment.
10 Advanced Features You Didn’t Know Your Smart Home Could Do
1. Control Old Appliances with Smart Plugs
You don’t need to throw out all your old appliances just because they aren’t “smart.” Instead, you can use smart plugs to control them remotely with your smartphone. You can turn your coffee maker on from bed or make sure you turned off the iron from the office.
2. Monitor Your Home’s Energy Consumption
Smart home devices can be programmed to keep track of how much energy your home is using. This can help you identify where you’re wasting energy and how to reduce your bills. Many smart thermostats, like the Nest, let you see your energy usage in real-time.
3. Integrate with Smart Assistants
Most smart home devices can be controlled with voice commands through a smart assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can turn on the lights, set the thermostat, and play music all with the sound of your voice.
4. Automate Your Lighting
Smart lighting systems can be programmed to turn on and off automatically based on different factors, like if someone is in the room or if the sun has set. You can also use smart bulbs that change colors for different moods and occasions.
5. Set Up Geofencing
Geofencing is a feature that allows your smart home to recognize when you’re leaving or arriving home based on your location. This can trigger different actions, like turning on the lights or adjusting the thermostat, making your home more energy-efficient and convenient.
6. Use Smart Locks to Keep Your Home Secure
Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely with your smartphone. You can also create temporary access codes for visitors or service providers, giving you greater control over who has access to your home.
7. Monitor Your Home with Motion Sensors
Motion sensors can be set up around your home to detect movement and trigger different actions, like turning on the lights or sounding an alarm. They can also be programmed to send a notification to your smartphone if there’s movement when you’re not home.
8. Create Scenes for Different Activities
Smart home devices can be grouped together to create scenes for different activities. For example, you can create a “movie night” scene that dims the lights, turns on the TV, and adjusts the temperature. Scenes make it easier to set up your home for different activities and save time.
9. Control Your Water Usage
Smart home devices can also help you reduce your water usage. Smart irrigation systems can water your lawn and garden more efficiently, while smart showerheads can monitor how much water you’re using and automatically turn off when you’re done.
10. Connect with Environmental Sensors
Finally, you can connect your smart home devices with environmental sensors to monitor things like air quality, temperature, and humidity. This can help you maintain a healthier home environment and respond to changes in your surroundings.
Take Your Smart Home to the Next Level
With these advanced features, you can take your smart home to the next level. Whether you want to save money on energy bills or make your home more secure, there’s a smart home device that can help you achieve your goals. So, start exploring the possibilities today and see what your smart home can do!