June 7, 2019
The home of the future is no longer a utopia. Today, the market offers a multitude of connected devices that allow you to control lighting, music, and heating with a simple voice command or the touch of a finger, or even wake up to the aroma of a latte prepared exactly the way you like it every morning. We’re already not far from Marty McFly’s futuristic home in Back to the Future 2.
But did you know that beyond all these comfort benefits, home automation can also improve your home’s security and even help you save money?
What Is Home Automation?
Home automation (or smart home) is a term formed from the contraction of the words “home” and “automatic.” It connects devices to the Internet so they can interact with each other, allowing you to control them with a smartphone, tablet, or virtual assistant.
Prevent and Avoid Damage
How much water damage could have been avoided if the leak had been detected in time? Leak detectors installed in strategic locations can alert you to infiltration from outside or from a floor drain. In the event of a leak from your plumbing system or an appliance, they can even automatically trigger the closure of the main water supply and send you an alert by email or on your mobile device. This way, you can continue your activities with complete peace of mind.
The same applies to smart smoke detectors: they can quickly alert you to the presence of smoke, flames, or carbon monoxide before it’s too late. A must-have if you own a wood or gas fireplace.
Reduce the Risk of Burglary
Are you the type to forget to lock the doors when leaving the house? No worries, smart locks now allow you to do so remotely using your phone, which can also be very convenient when you have visitors. In addition, smart sensors and connected cameras installed at various access points of your home can alert you in case of forced entry.
Reduce Your Electricity Bill
Smart thermostats and lighting timers give you better control of heating and lighting while allowing you to control them remotely. You can therefore easily adjust the temperature and turn off the lights when you’re not at home. An excellent way to reduce your energy consumption and save money!
Smart Discounts
Speaking of savings, a connected home could also allow you to reduce your home insurance premium. When you equip your home with certain connected devices such as an intrusion detection system or water leak detectors, you may be eligible for certain discounts. Talk to your broker!
Welcome to the Era of the Connected Home
Of course, this is just the beginning. Almost all the devices in your home can now be connected and controlled remotely—from the fridge to the curtains, including the robot vacuum and the garage door. If home automation interests you, there’s no shortage of options.
