Transforming an apartment into a Smart Home is an emerging trend that has become easier and easier to implement. It’s a relatively new industry, but it’s something that, because of advancement in technology, is becoming very popular.
Think of Bluetooth and Wireless internet and connections. Combine those with everyday tasks you do like getting up to change the channel, adjusting your lighting, changing the temperature of your apartment, and you’ll get a perfect combination that typically brings more comfort and quality of life.
Smart Lighting
What’s the purpose of keeping the lighting appliance turned on when no one is using them? We are wasting countless resources without even realizing it. Well, with the help of smart lighting, you can now save these resources while cutting down on your electricity bill. Best of all, you don’t even need a contractor or estimating service to figure out pricing or install these for you.
You must have heard about the kind of lighting which can be dimmed or brightened according to the number of people in a room, or the current movement level in a space, or even the outside ambient light. This is what smart lighting does. It controls the brightness level and status of the light according to the number of people using it.
The next step of smart lighting is that, according to the mood of the person using the light, the illumination from the smart bulbs will change into different colors. This can be done wirelessly with the help of connected Wi-Fi. The Philips Hue LED Smart Bulb Starter Kit is among the best products of this type. Moreover, this Sengled Smart LED Multicolor BR30 Light Bulb is top of the line when it comes to smart lighting. These are light bulbs you can buy at any electronics or home improvement store that just replace your existing light bulbs. Very easy especially if you’re in an apartment! No construction needed.
Smart Heating and Cooling
Smart HVAC and temperature regulation appliances are the next step in turning your home into a smart one. These HVAC controls can be adjusted from the comfort of your bed, and can also be used to cut down on your utility bills. Using a digital thermostat like the Nest thermostat can bring comfort to your day. Often when you are sitting on the couch and want to change the temperature, or in bed and don’t want to get up, we can grab our smartphone and instantly change the temperature. It’s really a great advancement.
The nest is very easy to install, and if you’re living in an apartment, you can remove it when you move out. One of the benefits of using a digital thermostat is it can reduce the price of your electric bill. With the median rent being close to $2,000 nationally, every dollar counts.
Smart Home Power Service System
Who doesn’t want to cut down on power usage and utility bills? The smart home power service systems can detect when something is not in use, and cut off the electricity supply to it for the time being. This saves you from phantom energy, and also from paying hundreds of additional dollars in utility bills. It manages the power to the entire apartment without overloading or undersupplying the required power.
Using a device like Sense, it can monitor the power being used in your apartment. You simply install in your electrical panel and it syncs with your smartphone and web apps.
Smart Music and Sound System
This could be the gadget that people associate with a smart home most often. We live in an era of virtual assistants who can capture our voice and obey voice commands. This makes up for a smart sound system and music setup.
We’ve seen and heard friends tell their virtual assistant, “Hey Alexa” or “Hey Siri.” And then follow up with a voice command. A smart speaker can very well be the focus of attention in a living room as it can play music, give updates on the environment, find restaurants, and so much more.
If you’re the kind of person who wants a smart home and who often welcomes buddies on the patio for celebrations, you might want to check out Ultimate Ears’ Mega Blast Portable Speaker. Just be sure to check if you are allowed to play loud sound outdoors with your residential management system. If you want something different, you can get Sonos One (Gen 2). It is a powerful Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa Built-in.
Smart Cleaning
Ever heard of Roomba? The automated house cleaning AI robot? Well, with the modern advent of AI technologies, smart cleaning is the new trend.
You can purchase from a wide range of automated and artificially intelligent house cleaning robots that continue cleaning your house in the background. These robots will automatically detect, clean, and avoid any obstacles in their path, offer real-time notifications to your smartphone and clean up the house in no time. You can also get Smart Cleaning Robot Auto Robotic Vacuum Floor Automatic Induction Dry Wet Mopping Cleaner.
Smart Appliances
The trend has officially been extended into our appliances. Companies like Samsung are starting to come out with smart appliances such as your Refrigerator, Water Heater, and some others. Although apartments typically come with appliances, if you can convince your landlord to switch to a smart fridge, you’ll be able to do things like checking the contents of your refrigerator while at the grocery store, make lists for your next supermarket run, or even watch TV.
Smart TV
Every other company is offering smart TV nowadays. These TVs can easily be connected to the internet, your laptop, and your smartphone via wireless technologies.
Moreover, you can browse the internet, check your social media, watch videos on YouTube, look for recipes, and download hundreds of useful and entertaining videos on the device. You can also do everything with the help of your voice commands, therefore, entirely forfeiting the use of remote control. TCL 32S325 32 Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV is on top of our list. If you want more features, you can also opt for Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA Flat 65-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa Compatibility.
Smart Baby Monitor
Want to not only hear your baby’s sound but also keep an eye on them in real-time? Well, smart baby monitors offer direct video links from the other room directly on your smartphone. No matter where you are, these smart baby monitors will capture live video feed and transmit it directly on your smartphone, tablet, and other devices so that your child is always secure.
Moreover, these can be programmed to alert you of any decrease or increase in the temperature, room conditions, intruders, or any other incidents in with the help of real-time notifications. Nanit Plus is among the best baby monitors on the market right now. You can also get Motorola Halo Over.
Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells are all the craze now. Why should doorbells always be active when there is no one at the door? Moreover, why not use video and smart recognition doorbells to monitor your front door while allowing someone to ring the bell?
Well, smart doorbells offer a real-time and direct video feed of your visitor from the front porch and also use modern AI algorithms to make sure that it is not an intruder. Eufy Security with Wi-Fi Video Doorbell with 2K HD and 2-way audio comes to mind when I think of the best smart doorbells of 2020. You can also choose Google Nest Hello Smart Wi-Fi Video Doorbell for your requirements.
Smart Security, Alarms and Cameras
For some time now, the use of home surveillance devices has been in fashion. Everyone is trying to use cameras, motion sensors, and other security devices to protect their home. Smart security systems and cameras are at the forefront of residential and commercial security.
With modern smart cameras, you can opt for remote control management in a smart home and also monitoring in real-time. You won’t have to keep back-up tapes or risk missing important footage that way.
You can use several appliances, such as the Arlo Smart Home Security Camera device, to record high quality (HD) video in a crystal clear format. You can have the recording directly transmitted to your smartphone or any other device. This can also be easily linked to your society’s visitor-management system.
These smart home security management systems also include smart alarms that go off when certain pre-defined conditions are met. If there is a risk of intruders or even a little bit of motion during the night or in your absence, these alarms will not only go off but also alert the close by law enforcement authorities.
Smart Plugs and Switches
Why keep the electric outlet, plug, and switch turned on when the device is fully charged or when it is not in use? Well, Phantom Energy is a real thing, and this means that all the plugged-in devices and turned off switches still consume energy if something is plugged into them.
With smart plugs and switches, you can now program your plugs and switches to turn off automatically when the device connected to them is not in use. This will save energy and bring down utility costs.
You can get a Belkin WeMo Insight Switch, which can easily control electronics and monitor energy usage from anywhere with the home automation app for smartphones and tablets.
Wrapping It Up
The smart home is the future of everything. Imagine using your cellphone to control your food, lights, sound, temperature, power usage, and everything take goes around in your house. Imagine if you didn’t even have to get out of the bed and your house was cleaned. Imagine getting a hot meal when you get home. Imagine smart appliances doing everything for you.
Well, smart home is the brand-new face of architecture, home industry, and the construction market. You can start thinking early and get a smart home, or you can transform your current house into a smart one with the help of tips and products mentioned above.
