The Ultimate Builder’s Guide To Smart Homes

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What is a smart home?

A smart home is a place of residence that is filled with numerous devices which are connected over the internet. These pieces of technology can then be operated either by simple voice commands or remotely using apps installed onto smartphones, tablets and other smart devices.

Controlling smart home devices through these methods means that property owners can automate tasks which would usually require manual human input. 

Every piece of technology associated with a smart home is controlled by a master home automation controller, which is usually referred to as a smart home hub (Google Home and Amazon Echo are two popular examples of these controllers). Gadgets can be built into a smart home structure from the beginning of the setup, or added into the infrastructure at a later date.

What is smart home technology?

The concept of a smart home has come along so much over the past few years, to the point where just about every feature within a domestic setting has a ‘smart’ variant. 

Examples of smart home technology that you could be asked to help fit into a property include all of the following:

• Smart assistants – These gadgets allow voice commands to be used to browse the internet, switch on music and much more.
   

• Smart door features – This type of technology allows property owners to lock or open doors to visitors remotely, with some locks even able to detect when a resident is close and automatically unlock doors for them to gain access to a property.
   

• Smart gardens – Devices can be fitted around a property’s outdoor space, which allow plants and lawns to be watered automatically through the use of connected timers.
   

• Smart heating controls – These thermostats work with Wi-Fi so that property owners can make changes to a house’s temperature even when they are not nearby. The devices also provide energy use reports, as well as being able to modify their own settings by learning someone’s behaviour with their heating systems.
   

• Smart kitchens – There is an abundance of smart technology perfect for a kitchen, including smart fridges which makes shopping lists and monitors expiration dates depending on the current products stored in them, as well as smart coffee makers which brew beverages based on a programmed time feature.
   

• Smart lighting – These lights can be controlled remotely, as well as being set up to operate when a room’s occupants are detected. They can even be fitted with smart lightbulbs, which can alter their brightness based on how much daylight is available in a room at a given time.
   

• Smart plugs – These provide a bridge to turning traditional household items like ceiling fans and lamps smart, by allowing the plugs to be remotely controlled.
   

• Smart security – These gadgets, which include security cameras and advanced doorbells, enable property owners to monitor their house wherever they may be. Motion sensors designed into this technology can also send notifications if suspicious behaviour is spotted.
   

• Smart system monitors – These can include gadgets which switch off a property’s water supply if it senses water failures or pipes are freezing, as well as devices capable of turning off affected appliances if a power surge is detected. 
   

• Smart TVs – These devices often come complete with voice and gesture recognition technology, as well as being able to access on-demand content through an internet connection.

How to make a smart home

The smart home market contains a lot of DIY products which property owners can purchase immediately and install around their house without any expert assistance.

However, consumers are best to seek your skills as a fully assessed tradesperson when the following tasks need doing to build a smart home: 

• Installing smart lighting and heating technology safely and correctly onto a property’s existing utilities systems.

• Fitting smart hub control devices and speakers onto interior walls around a property.

• Setting up smart security systems around the exterior and interior of a property. 

When to consider smart home wiring for new construction projects

Many people look for wireless connections when it comes to technology these days, especially with how clean gadgets without wires can look in a property.

As a professional tradesperson though, there are times when you should encourage your clients to consider smart home wiring for new construction projects that you’ve been asked to carry out.

A property which has a strong network of wired connections allows for data, signals and communication to be delivered to gadgets accurately, reliably and quickly.

Setting up wired connections for some aspects of a smart home can also reduce the demand that is put onto a property’s Wi-Fi network. 

Devices such as smartphones and tablets used around a property rely on wireless connections to access online features, while the likes of smart lighting and heating systems will only need to use the internet occasionally so can use a wireless connection without overloading a Wi-Fi network.

However, smart televisions and security gadgets will need to be online more frequently and are best to be installed with a wired connection to achieve uninterrupted internet signals.

Head to our smart home technology hub to purchase state-of-the-art devices within this field and ensure you are ready to help your clients as they enhance their properties.