A smart home itself switches lights on and off, regulates the operation of household appliances, reports malfunctions in communications or warns of unexpected guests. Let us tell you how to make a smart home with your own hands.
The main idea of a smart home is to automate and simplify routine actions that we do every day. The simplest example is switching lights on and off at a set time. A more complex one is activating a video surveillance camera when motion is detected. The most complex is the interaction of three or more devices under certain conditions: when the door opening sensor is triggered, the light in the hallway will switch on and the kettle will start heating water. The article was written by the team from the World Casino Expert project – worldcasinoexpert.com.
As a result, living in a flat or house becomes more comfortable and safer, saving electricity and time.
What a smart home is and what it consists of
A smart home is a system of smart gadgets that interact with each other according to a set algorithm. These include a central controller (hub), sensors and actuators:
- The central controller is a device that processes the received data, makes a decision and sends a signal to the device;
- Sensors transmit information about events that occur in the house: water leaks, gas leaks, temperature and humidity fluctuations or illegal entry;
- Actuators do the basic work in the home. These are sockets, switches, mains filters, curtain opening and closing mechanisms, lights, heating devices and various household appliances. Actuators obey voice commands or commands from control devices.
You can make a smart home with your hands in various variants depending on your needs and possibilities. The set of devices can be anything from a single light bulb to an entire system, and they can be easily controlled using a voice assistant or a smartphone app.
What you need for a smart home
To make a smart home, you will need:
- a smartphone or tablet – through applications installed on it control smart devices;
- internet;
- smart devices with the possibility of remote control.
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Step one: turning light into smart light
To make a smart home, start with the simplest thing possible – screw smart bulbs into your light fittings instead of regular bulbs.
Smart lamps can be controlled remotely – switch off the overhead light without getting out of bed, or light the lamp above the kitchen table from the office. Smart lamps can also:
- Change colour temperature. Cold light is suitable for a cheerful morning, neutral light will not distort the colours in the interior, and warm light will create a cosy atmosphere in the evening;
- Work according to a script. You can set a schedule, according to which the night lighting in the house will be switched on only for a certain time. And in the nursery you can set up scenarios with coloured lights: blue lights on – it’s time to go brush your teeth and wash your face, green lights – go to bed;
- Reduce the brightness. This is useful to make the lighting more comfortable when working on the computer or watching a film, or to simulate your presence in the house during a holiday.
Step two: swap conventional sockets and switches for smart sockets and switches
Smart sockets help turn ordinary appliances into smart ones and switch them on from a distance or schedule. You can set your electric towel rail to run only at night, or switch on your fan from the comfort of your desk. And you can put a wireless switch on your bedside table and control the lights in any room without getting out of bed.
When you’re not at home, don’t switch on appliances that should not be left unattended, such as a kettle or heater. And make sure that their wattage does not exceed that specified in the smart socket’s specifications, otherwise there is a risk of causing a fire.
Step three: install smart sensors
The main task of a smart sensor is to alert the owners, wherever they are, that something has happened at home, from water leaks and smoke to unexpected guests. Different types of smart sensors can be used:
- Leak sensors at the washing machine or dishwasher drain or under the bathtub;
- Gas leak detectors where there is gas equipment (cooker or heating boiler);
- Smoke detectors on ceilings in living rooms, kitchens, cellars and corridors under the ceiling – to find out about a fire in time;
- Temperature and humidity sensor will show you when it’s time to switch on the air conditioner or humidifier;
- Motion sensor will send a notification to your smartphone if someone drives up to the gate;
- Intrusion sensors will react to a broken window or an open door.
After installation, the smart sensors need to be networked with control and actuator devices and the interaction between them needs to be set up. This is done via a special mobile application.
Fourth step: connecting smart appliances
After replacing the sockets, you can install smart appliances in the smart home. New appliances often have smart functions by default, and in terms of cost, such gadgets are not particularly different from traditional ones.
A smart electric curtain rod will part the curtains in the morning. A robot hoover will plot a route, find lost items in the corner, take a picture of them and send the snapshot to your smartphone. A smart pet feeder will feed your pet while you’re at work. And a smart air conditioner with Wi-Fi interface will set the temperature mode that is comfortable for you based on a signal from a mobile app.
How to set up a smart home
The algorithm for connecting smart gadgets is almost always the same:
- Install an app on your smartphone to control your smart home. Most often, smart device manufacturers include a QR code with a link to the App Store or Google Play on the packaging;
- Add the smart device by following the simple instructions in the app.
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The components of a smart home system communicate with each other using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or ZigBee protocols. Some devices connect to your home internet router directly – via Wi-Fi. You must buy a hub from the same manufacturer for gadgets that work via Bluetooth or ZigBee. It will be the transmission link between all smart devices and the Internet router. It will most likely require a separate socket.
Modern systems have a disadvantage – no unified standards for smart devices and no unified smart home scheme. Because of this, gadgets from different brands cannot communicate with each other, and different applications may be required to control them. When choosing smart devices and sensors, make sure they are compatible with each other. Better yet, buy ready-made kits from the same manufacturer to avoid problems with settings and conflicting apps.
Summary
With a smart home, you can control your flat even in another country and save time on routine tasks. You can customise your smart home by selecting only the devices you need from the price segment that suits you.
To make your home smart, start by buying and connecting smart bulbs. This way you can practice setting them up, evaluate the convenience of the apps, and decide how much you need a smart home. The next steps are installing smart sockets, equipping your home with sensors and smart gadgets.