Smart Home Technology: Everything There Is to Know About It

In today’s world, it’s possible to control one’s entire home remotely. Smart home technology has grown over the years. What used to be popular among sci-fi novels has become a palpable reality. With that in mind, many homeowners readily implement the latest tech hype in their homes, making them more sustainable and efficient. If you’re considering it for your own property, here’s what you need to know about smart homes.

Choosing the Right Ecosystem Is Crucial

The first and most important aspect of smart homes is the ecosystem that runs them. There are three main options to choose from – Apple’s, Google’s, and Amazon’s version. Typically, homeowners choose the ecosystem based on what kind of smart devices they own. For example, if you have many iPhones, Macs, or iPads at home, chances are you’ll prefer the Apple HomeKit ecosystem.

Of course, it’s not all about the big three. If you want to run your smart home on another ecosystem, you can opt for either Home Assistant or Samsung’s SmartThings. Keep in mind that voice commands of both of these options rely on Google or Amazon.

Wi-Fi and Smart Home Technology

To set up a functional smart home environment, homeowners must note the importance of a solid Wi-Fi connection. Typically, smart homes run on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies. It should be noted that 2.4 GHz devices are becoming increasingly obsolete because the other frequency provides a much faster speed of operation.

Finally, another Wi-Fi protocol is currently being introduced on the market. It’s called Wi-Fi 6E and is expected to surpass devices using 5 GHz frequencies over the next decade.

Routines, Grouping, & Automation

It pays to group devices together when setting up the smart home system. That is especially important when it comes to lighting. Grouping all lights in the room saves much time when turning them on and off. In addition, it shouldn’t be overlooked that each ecosystem has its own means of grouping, with some allowing the creation of custom groups, while others work with room grouping only.

Standards to Stay Mindful Of

For better or worse, the past few years have seen a lack of standardization hinder the smart home experience for many homeowners. However, steps are being taken to change the environment. A relatively new interoperability standard going by the name of Matter is currently being developed. More than 200 companies are already on board with the project. Matter will act as a middleman cutting across ecosystems and standards. The result is expected to be a more centralized and seamless experience for those owning or setting up a smart home system.