The latest trend in home technology is to connect appliances, home security, and heating systems to the internet of things. This provides greater flexibility and control, as well as helping the homeowner save money on utility costs. It is all well and good if you live in a modern home, but how about a decades-old dwelling? Is it still possible to convert it into a smart home?
What is smart home technology?
Many homes today have already been converted into a connected way of living. Some of the most common adaptions of smart home technology are in home security systems and smart heating systems. These make the most sense for homeowners in terms of heightened security as well as energy efficiency.
Converting an old home
It can be quite challenging to convert an old home to be able to use smart technology, but experts believe it is not impossible. Perhaps one of biggest challenges is the wireless connectivity. It is also impossible to get smart heating to work if you have an antiquated home heating system.
Problems with wireless technology can be resolved by means of wiring a home. Retrofitting a home means you can add the devices outside the walls instead of within. Either way, you can still use wireless technology provided that there is enough coverage in all areas of the house.
There are companies that offer smart heating systems that have the flexibility of connecting it with any kind of heating system that is already pre-installed in the home. The key is to check with the installation company whether the type of heating system you have will be supported if you switch to a smart system.
There are other areas of the home which can be converted into a smart system, such as lighting. Regardless of if the home is old, you can buy a smart home kit from certain manufacturers and control the appliances with an application that you download on your tablet or smartphone. At this time, however, integration of different manufacturers in one dashboard is yet to become a possibility.
In conclusion, living in an old home does not limit the possibility of using smart home technology. It may take a bit of work to retrofit and get the appropriate wireless connectivity in order for remote monitoring to be possible, but it is still feasible.
Why live in a smart home?
The advantages of a smart home cannot be refuted. If you think about having a home security system which you can control while you are outside, it gives you added peace of mind. Additionally, a smart heating system where you can manage and schedule when you want to turn on the heating system is bound to save you a lot of money.
Embracing technology is not only meant to make things look more modern or impressive, but it is also a needed step in reducing the carbon footprint of each person. These technologies are developed to make life easier whilst also saving the environment for future generations to enjoy.
