Home automation is more affordable and accessible than ever. For homeowners and investors who want to gain a competitive edge on the property market, now is the perfect time to invest in faster internet speeds, smart wiring and home automated solutions.

From automated blinds to multi-room speakers, home theatre solutions and climate control; home automation gives you the freedom to carry out the things you already do at home with much greater efficiency. Better still, the technology is easy to incorporate into existing homes and can be scaled to fit the individual needs of anyone.

But how much value does smart technology really add to your home? According to the National Association of Home Builders and Consumer Electronics Association, home automation can boost the value of your property by 3-5%.

With so many options available on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Let’s take a look at the hottest home automation systems on the market and learn more about their benefits.

Climate Control

Rising power bills are a growing concern for families across the country. Home automation can help regulate your home’s indoor climate control and lower energy costs by integrating with your current lifestyle.

Products like the Nest Learning Thermostat, Honeywell Thermostat, and ecobee4 have smart features designed to keep your living space at a consistent and comfortable temperature based on your personal preferences. They can even learn from your daily habits and automatically adjust the climate based on the season, time of day, and day of the week.

To maintain a steady temperature, the device communicates wirelessly with smart-enabled heating and cooling devices, indoor blinds, and windows. For example, if the air conditioner is making the environment too cold, the thermostat will either switch it off or increase the temperature slightly.

More impressively, some devices have geofencing to track your movement and establish the perfect climate before you even step through the door.

Smart Security

The advent of home automation has made it easier for us to monitor the home and respond to emergency situations wherever we are.

From smart security locks to surveillance cameras, motion sensors, doorbells and outdoor lighting – these devices provide all-round protection and let you monitor their status using your smartphone, computer or tablet. Many of these products can be included without replacing your traditional security system. For example, you don’t have to remove your existing deadlock to enjoy the benefits of keyless entry with an August Smart Lock.

You can even setup a ‘mockupancy’ scene that alternates between the use of lights, speakers, TVs, and other devices to create the illusion that people are home when you’re away.

Multi-Room Audio

Whether you want to host memorable house parties or liven up the experience of your daily activities, the advent of wireless speakers has forever replaced the humble stereo that once sat on the kitchen countertop.

Multi-room audio systems let you enjoy your favourite music in any section of the house. By communicating through Wi-Fi, the wireless speakers can either access the music library from your smartphone and computer. Or they can access millions of songs on popular streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora and Tidal (of course, you need a subscription to access these services).

Brands such as Sonos, Sony, Yamaha, and Bose all have their own integrated apps that let you remotely control individual or groups of speakers. Almost every wireless speaker has their own in-built voice assistant too. The Google Home and Sony LF-S50G speaker has Google Assistant, Sonos partnered up with Amazon to feature Alexa, and the Apple HomePad obviously has Siri.

With voice control, you can start, stop and search through your music library… and even create your own voice commands!

Smart Lighting

Ready to ditch your old halogen lightbulbs?

Smart lighting lets you control the lights anywhere in the house and create on/off automated schedules to suit your lifestyle. With an average lifespan of 25,000 hours, 800-1,100 lumen output, and lower wattage requirements – you save money on energy bills and the cost of replacement.

Freedom of control is one of the biggest appeals for smart lights. Popular choices like the Philips Hue and Belkin WeMo range let you control individual or groups of lights. With many customisation options, you can establish the perfect mood for a wild house party, romantic dinner, or relaxed evening.

Whether your priority is security, convenience or comfort – the possibilities of a smart lighting solution are nearly endless.

Article provided by Integrated Technologies Australia