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What is a Smarthome?

Author: Josh Hendrickson / Source: How-To Geek

sdecoret/Shutterstock

Any home can be a smarthome, whether it’s a studio apartment or a mansion. It’s the powerful connections that make it smart. Here’s what you need to know about smarthomes—and how to start putting your own together, if you’re interested.

Smarthomes Are All Different

An official definition of “smarthome” doesn’t exist. What started as more of a buzzword has entered common usage, but no one person or company invented smarthomes, nor can they claim total dominance in the field. Smarthome technology is still in its infancy. Even among those who have adopted it, one smarthome can look very different from another. Differences include which smart devices are in the home and even how many of these devices are present.

At its very core, a smarthome is probably best defined as a living area with connected technology meant to enhance the home. This could include smart thermostats, smart lights, smart plugs or outlets, smart doorbells, and locks, or voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa. It could be any combination of the above, all of the above, or be other smart devices entirely.

What a smarthome is for you depends on what you want to get out of it. And figuring that out requires knowing what the different smart devices do, what the possibilities are, and how much you want to spend.

Smart Thermostats Can Program Themselves

Ecobee smart thermostat on wall

A few years ago, smart thermostats were probably the first device most owners put in their home. The promise was straight forward; the thermostat would save you more money than it cost to buy.

Through artificial intelligence, a smart thermostat will learn when you tend to leave home, when you return home, what your preferred temperature is in the winter and summer. Then, all on its own, it will start controlling the temperature of your house based on that information. Teaching is as simple as changing the temperature when you feel the need.

The process is supposed to be much simpler than programmable thermostats provide. And by only running your heat and A/C when needed, you would save money. We don’t think you need a smart thermostat, but if you like the idea of a simple interface, automatic controls, and remote control than you can’t go wrong with either a Nest or Ecobee.

Smart Lights and Plugs Offer Voice Control and More

A Philips and Eufy smart bulb side by side.

Smart lights and smart plugs come in various forms. Light bulbs and plugs require no installation knowledge, while switches and outlets replace your existing traditional light switches and outlets. Which you choose depends on your level of comfort working with electrical wiring, and possibly the age of your house. Each has benefits and downsides.

Smart light bulbs, like the Philips Hue series, come in a range of colors that you can change on the fly. But you’ll need one for every light you want to make smart, which means the cost can…

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