By CEDIA - Thu, Nov 7, 2024 - Blog
With the nights drawing in, smart homes face more risks than the summer months. In the UK, domestic burglaries are 1.14 times more common in winter.
In less extreme cases, our homes also risk costing us more due to poor insulation or inefficient heating and lighting systems. This is where an investment in smart technology can improve our quality of life – not just by keeping us safe, but warm and comfortable year-round.
From smart temperature control to energy efficiency and security, here are the best house smart home improvements you can make this winter.
While it may be tempting to leave central heating running all day in winter, this could lead to heat loss and higher bills. A well-insulated home is a great place to start, particularly when we consider that heat can escape from walls, roofs and gaps.
But to take this one step further, home automation gives us full temperature control. A smart thermostat has a range of uses, from basic heating and cooling control to even dehumidifying and ventilation. The key feature, however, is that it works remotely – meaning you can turn it on ready for when you’re home, as long as you have an internet connection.
Further customisability comes in the form of scheduling. For example, you might preset your thermostat to turn on the heating for when you wake up in the morning, or turn off when you head out to work. In the same vein, you can improve your quality of life with lighting devices like smart blinds. Time these to open in line with sunlight hours to feel more rested.
Zone the heating in your home or just save energy. Some brands promise up to 30% lower bills with smart temperature control, so a small investment in these heating systems really adds up.
While smart thermostats are a great way to save energy, we can always do more. Lighting accounts for more than one-twentieth of home fuel consumption, so it’s important to conserve energy here.
Like automated blinds, you can optimise your smart lighting to come on based on pre-set timers. Other triggers (based on an IFTTT – “if this, then that” system) include motion sensors. This ensures lights aren’t needlessly running all day, particularly when we consider that there can be as few as six hours of daily sunlight in winter.
Some smart home hubs allow you to customise profiles. For example, you may set up a ‘morning mode’ for lights to greet you as you make breakfast. With these remote controls, lights only operate when you need them – saving you crucial pennies on energy bills.
Another way to save energy is through insulation. Draft excluders may not be the most technologically advanced investments, but they stop crucial heat escaping through doorways. For something more modern, smart window coverings like automated blinds keep heat in, while working with your circadian rhythms (sleep cycles).
Smart lighting may improve your sleep, but it’s also essential for security. Motion sensor-triggered outdoor lights serve as a deterrent for intruders. If you’re looking for enhanced security, you can invest in a Smart PIR (passive infrared sensor) system. This integrates with motion sensors as well as two-way audio and CCTV – helping to scare off and detect intruders.
Other simple systems include video doorbells. These serve multiple purposes – primarily, they show you who is approaching beforehand, and store the footage. But you can also use them to speak directly to visitors such as delivery teams, ideal if you’re away.
Smart home automation allows for 24/7 monitoring, depending on your security needs. The strongest systems offer threat detection alerts and can even call the emergency services. Coupled with CCTV, this provides comprehensive security for deterring intruders, alerting police and safeguarding your home.
Remember that secure homes are less likely to be targeted, and may have a higher sale value. Whether you’re simply lighting up pathways for dark nights or monitoring your property, a smart solution has the answer.
