If you live in a smart home, your life is likely full of automated convenience. You can check your home’s temperature from your phone wherever you are, and your thermostat may even learn your schedule so that it can be more efficient.
When you think of home automation, you likely think of a space-age home like that of the Jetsons that does everything for you. While technology may not be that advanced yet, with today’s home automation systems, your lights turn on when you enter a room and off when you leave, your TV might be set to show what’s most relevant or entertaining to you at that particular moment, and you can even get notified when someone is at the front door. All of these conveniences sound great.
What Is a Smart Home?
A smart home is typically a collection of gadgets and sensors that the user can manage through a phone app or by connecting to them online. It may include programmable or intelligent lightbulbs, a smart thermostat for home climate management, or even smart refrigerators that can alert you when you are getting low on a specific product. The developer of these gadgets often connects them to an app that lets you operate their particular products. To carry out simple chores in your smart home, you can utilize voice commands with Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
Examples of Smart Home Devices
The doorbell allows you to connect a video camera, motion detector, and speaker so that you can talk to the people at your door or on your property. The smart hub allows different devices to communicate with each other; for example, it might show you whether your doors are open or closed. The lighting system can automatically turn on the lights when you enter a room or turn on the TV. Cameras and motion sensors can show you whether rooms are occupied. The smart thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature accordingly. The power outlets can automatically turn on or off lighting devices or other appliances.
What Is Home Automation?
Home automation is a system that enables your smart home to conduct automatic services that you have configured. The user will pre-program them for specific occasions. The idea behind this is that automating some tasks that you perform frequently would allow you to spend less time getting ready for an occasion. It may seem simple enough to operate the house when you have a Google Home or an Alexa-connected device, but automation makes it much more practical.
Examples of Home Automation Systems
The DVR allows you to record and playback HD video from your security cameras, allowing third-party apps to analyze the footage. It also comes with remote viewing capability, which can be helpful when you are away at work. The HVAC system allows you to automate your home’s air-conditioning, humidifiers, and even ceiling fans. The lighting system provides dimming and even color adjustments at specific times. You can program the lights to turn on when you’re not home, and you can program their dimmer system to come on in the morning and coordinate with your alarm. The smart hub allows you to add extra devices like a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and more.
Moreover, the primary operation of several smart home appliances frequently includes some home automation functions. Take the Nest thermostat, for instance, which automatically changes your temperature based on whether it senses you are at home or not.
Difference between Home Automation and Smart Home
Home automation is becoming more popular, but it is still important to know the difference between a smart home and a home automation system. On top of that, although they are similar, they are not identical. For example, Nest can provide its own apps for third-party devices, but these do not qualify as home automation because they have a more central hub control. If you own a Nest thermostat and integrate it with some other Z-Wave or Zigbee products, you can control your lights or speakers via those apps, but this does not qualify as home automation.
One of the main differences is that with a smart home you have to rely on one specific provider for all your connected devices, whereas with home automation, you can keep your privacy and control by using different brands for each individual device. Another significant difference is that smart homes generally can only be controlled using the manufacturer’s proprietary app or an “all-in-one” app developed by a third party whereas home automation systems usually allow you to use any third-party apps you prefer, such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and IFTTT.
The difference between a smart home and a home automation system is that the latter does not imply you need to do anything manually. Instead, it involves many different devices connected together over various technologies, which are then configured according to your needs. It also allows you to automate small tasks like turning on lights, adjusting the temperature, etc. The one thing that all home automation systems have in common is their shared goal of automating specific actions that can be done manually.
There are also some products that fall between a smart home and a home automation system. For example, there was a crowdfunding campaign for a “Home Control System” that works by adding multiple third-party devices to a single hub. The product is not yet commercially available, but it looks promising.
So Which Is A Better Choice?
It all depends on your preferences and needs. Arc Angel Electric will help you narrow you’re your options. Smart home manufacturers would tell you that their products are better than home automation systems because they offer a wider range of products and more customization options; however, users who have tried both have reported positive experiences with smart home systems. The most important thing is to choose a solution that works for you and meets your expectations. As long as it provides the convenience you are looking for, then it should do the job well.
In the modern world, smart homes and home automation are incredibly useful, and as more people use them, they become more and more well-liked and affordable. At Arc Angel Electric, we can accurately pinpoint your way of life and design a dream home that suits you.
Why You Should Choose Arc Angel Electric
At Arc Angel Electric, we provide complete services by licensed electricians for both residential and commercial structures in Cumming, Georgia and the greater Atlanta region as well as some areas of South Carolina. Our business has put a lot of effort into offering cutting-edge services to communities from greater Atlanta to South Carolina’s Low County for the past 20 years.
We provide home improvements, renovations, electrical servicing and repairs, troubleshooting, energy-efficient lighting options, and lightning surge prevention. Our most recent offerings encourage using clean, renewable energy sources, such as electric and hybrid vehicle charging stations. We adjust as standards change, providing you fresh options and services for your Georgia residence or place of business. Whether you need whole-home rewiring or a simple outlet replacement, Arc Angel Electric provides reliable support to Cumming residents and businesses. Visit our website to learn more about home automation and how it will improve your home. Contact us for any inquiries, and we will guide you through.
