Understanding the History of Smart Homes

The Origins: Early History of Home Automation Systems

Some of the earliest examples of smart home technology were home automation systems for heating. Although rudimentary now, they were revolutionary at the time.

Home automation first came into people’s lives with mechanical systems. Early automation included mechanical thermostats and central heating systems. The first mechanical thermostat was invented in 1830. However, the technology didn't become commercially available until the 1920s. Since then, it's continually increased in popularity. The convenience of manual thermostats led the way for modern smart home technologies, including smart temperature control.

While nowadays, people can set their home’s temperature via an app, mechanical thermostats were the first devices that helped homeowners take more precise control of their heating. With a mechanical thermostat, homeowners could program their heating system so that it would reach (and maintain) their desired temperature. They could also set their heating to automatically turn on according to a timer. Being able to time heating functionalities meant homeowners could return to a warm house. That convenience has now evolved, with today’s smart homeowner making adjustments on the go via remote devices. The technology of today wouldn’t be possible without those early home automation systems.

Technological Breakthroughs and the History of Smart Devices

Smart technology has come a long way from mechanical heating controls. Thermostats first went digital in the 1980s, and so did many other things. Now, homeowners can automate far more than their heating. Today’s smart home automation includes security systems, lighting and much more. Its expansion was made possible thanks to other wider technology developments.

The late 20th century brought about numerous technological breakthroughs. With the introduction of home computers and early smart appliances in the 1980s and 1990s, technology suddenly became part of people's homes. Thanks to key developments in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, there was now the potential to connect and control devices without wiring – a pivotal moment in the history of smart home technology. Smart home devices and controllers could now ‘talk’ to each other, dramatically expanding automation possibilities.

Modern Era: Smart Homes History from the 2000s to Today

In recent years, smart home technology has transitioned from being relatively niche to widely available.

With Wi-Fi becoming more common (and reliable), more people have welcomed smart technology into their homes. Nowadays, more homes have the connectivity capabilities to provide signals for smart home devices.

Plus, the mass use of smartphones means most of us use a form of smart technology every day. Another technological development that shouldn’t be underestimated is the rise of voice-controlled assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home. Once people were used to speaking commands to their phones, it wasn’t a stretch for them to speak to a smart speaker. While users initially dabbled with simple commands like playing music or checking the weather, many homeowners then saw the potential for embracing commands like “Lights off!” that trigger automated workflows. However, it is important to note that simply owning a voice-controlled assistant does not make your home smart.  Today, a true smart home is professionally designed and installed, easy and seamless to use, and reliable and secure.

Energy efficiency and enhanced convenience have also become central reasons for increased smart home adoption. Today’s homeowners want their homes to run themselves while remaining conscious of the environmental impacts of technology. Smart home devices offer the perfect balance. Homeowners can enjoy maximum convenience by turning on their oven to warm up while they’re on the way home from work and using their tech to save energy. For example, it’s easy to program lights to turn off when you leave a room.

CEDIA’s Role in the History of Smart Homes

CEDIA was founded in 1989. Ever since, we’ve worked to represent the home automation and smart home technology industry – and push it forward.

Our commitment to educating and certifying smart technology installers has helped shape the smart home industry and ensure that professionals meet certain standards.

If you’re considering a smart home project, you can rely on a CEDIA member to help you get the best out of today’s technology. To find a Smart Home Professional near you, visit our CEDIA member directory.

The Future of Smart Homes

We’ve come a long way from manual thermostats, and there’s even further to go. An increasing number of smart homes are set to embrace artificial intelligence (AI). Think it’s great that you can automate your heating by selecting your preferences? It is, but it’s even better when an AI makes smart adjustments based on your behaviour, the weather and other factors. AI will help you get the most out of smart home technology.

Plus, smart homes will become increasingly sustainable. While smart tech already creates lots of opportunities to conserve energy, more systems will be built with sustainability in mind. As smart homes evolve, they’ll continue to become more efficient and make it easier for us all to make more environmentally-minded choices. Or maybe AI will even make those choices for us…

Ready to make your future a smart one? When you invest in a professionally designed smart home installed by a CEDIA-certified member, you can be confident you'll receive expert guidance on the latest technologies and systems.