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Collection by David Glenn

Smarten Up Your Home in 2013

They say that home is where the heart is. And now your home can have a brain as well. Sound futuristic? Thanks to advances in smart technology, your home can be greener, safer, more secure, and just plain more enjoyable than you ever thought possible. So if you’re ready to live in the home of the future today, here’s a look at some new smart technologies to help you create a smarter home in 2013.

Article photo header images: The E+ Green Home in Seoul, South Korea designed by Unsangdong Architects. Photo by: Sergio Pirrone

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Smart Lighting and Appliance Control–Imagine having full control of lighting and small appliances throughout your house, whether you’re home or not—without being one of the X-Men. Thanks to home automation technology, it’s all in the palm of your hand. Want to get a fresh pot of coffee brewing while you’re still in bed? Done. Need to check if lights or appliances were left on accidentally during the morning scramble out the door? No problem. Going out of town and want to be able to program your lights to make your home appear to be occupied while you’re gone? Yeah, there’s an app for that too. Want to save energy, money, and have greater peace of mind by increasing the safety and security of your home? Home lighting and appliance control technology is a great place to start.
Smart Lighting and Appliance Control–Imagine having full control of lighting and small appliances throughout your house, whether you’re home or not—without being one of the X-Men. Thanks to home automation technology, it’s all in the palm of your hand. Want to get a fresh pot of coffee brewing while you’re still in bed? Done. Need to check if lights or appliances were left on accidentally during the morning scramble out the door? No problem. Going out of town and want to be able to program your lights to make your home appear to be occupied while you’re gone? Yeah, there’s an app for that too. Want to save energy, money, and have greater peace of mind by increasing the safety and security of your home? Home lighting and appliance control technology is a great place to start.
Smart Temperature Control–Like Goldilocks’ porridge we want the temperature of our homes to be just right, all the time. Enter the smart thermostat, a hot little high-tech gadget that is almost too cool for the room. Many smart thermostats have the ability to learn your preferred home temperature habits and then program themselves accordingly. While you’re away, a smartphone app allows you to remotely dial the thermostat up or down, so you’ll never waste money and energy heating or cooling an empty house.
Smart Temperature Control–Like Goldilocks’ porridge we want the temperature of our homes to be just right, all the time. Enter the smart thermostat, a hot little high-tech gadget that is almost too cool for the room. Many smart thermostats have the ability to learn your preferred home temperature habits and then program themselves accordingly. While you’re away, a smartphone app allows you to remotely dial the thermostat up or down, so you’ll never waste money and energy heating or cooling an empty house.
Smart Security Cameras–Your smartphone camera is great for capturing all kinds of fun events and activities. And now, with the aid of smart security cameras, your phone can give you a birds-eye view of all that’s happening in and around your home any time of day while you’re away. Activated by motion, smart cameras record clips of detected movement for added security. They also come in handy for looking in on the nanny, kids, pets, or elderly parents in your absence.
Smart Security Cameras–Your smartphone camera is great for capturing all kinds of fun events and activities. And now, with the aid of smart security cameras, your phone can give you a birds-eye view of all that’s happening in and around your home any time of day while you’re away. Activated by motion, smart cameras record clips of detected movement for added security. They also come in handy for looking in on the nanny, kids, pets, or elderly parents in your absence.
Smart Home Automation Systems–Call it the central control, the brain, the hub or what have you, a home automation system integrates all of your smart home technologies (see above) and places them under one convenient master control—namely your smartphone. Although a number of companies specialize in the sales and installation of complete home automation packages, other companies, such as Smart Home USA, offer more affordable do-it-yourself alternatives to better fit your needs and budget. Regardless of which route you choose to make your home smarter, given all the benefits you’ll soon discover that putting a brain in your home is a “no brainer.”
Smart Home Automation Systems–Call it the central control, the brain, the hub or what have you, a home automation system integrates all of your smart home technologies (see above) and places them under one convenient master control—namely your smartphone. Although a number of companies specialize in the sales and installation of complete home automation packages, other companies, such as Smart Home USA, offer more affordable do-it-yourself alternatives to better fit your needs and budget. Regardless of which route you choose to make your home smarter, given all the benefits you’ll soon discover that putting a brain in your home is a “no brainer.”