Smart Home Control

Being able to control what goes on in your home while you’re miles away might sound like something out of a science-fiction film, but smart home appliances like Nest are making it a 21st century reality – here’s how it works.

What is smart home control?

It’s simply a way of managing aspects of your home using devices connected to the internet.

You can hook up as many elements as technology allows which ultimately means you could you control features like temperature, lighting, hot water and even music systems.

Devices can be controlled with an app on your smartphone or tablet. Or, if you’ve got an entire network of devices (known as an ‘ecosystem’) you might want to invest in a hub which acts as single dashboard for everything.

What devices are available?

A raft of smart devices are readily available so it’s up to you to decide which will work best in your home. Part of your decision may also come down to compatibility as not all smart home gadgets are compatible with others. So, if you want to build an ecosystem it’s worth taking the time to think about all the elements you want to control and consider the different devices on offer.

At Barton Electrical, we’re pro-installers of Nest appliances which work with a number of other smart home products such as Philips Hue lightbulbs.

What are the benefits of a smart home?

Turning your home into a smart home could lower the amount of energy you use – helping the environment and cutting the cost of bills.

A great example is the Nest Thermostat E which lets you control the temperature in your home while you’re out and about. So, if you go on holiday and suddenly realise you’ve left the heating on, as long as you have wi-fi, you can turn it off from your phone.

If you want a device that’s in tune with you and your family, the Nest Learning Thermostat is definitely worth considering. In addition to the features offered with the Nest E, this clever gadget ‘learns’ the temperature you like at different times of day.

For instance – if you turn the heating down at 10pm just before bed, the Nest Learning Thermostat will log this and lower the temperature at 10pm each night (so you won’t have to get out of bed if you forget). It will also turn heating down if it detects you’re out (based on your phone’s GPS).

The result is not just a more comfortable home but one that doesn’t waste excess energy (so you can be confident about doing your bit for the environment).

The Nest ecosystem also includes security cameras, a video doorbell and a smoke and CO2 detector – all of which you can manage and control via the Nest hub as well as your smartphone.

Is smart home control for me?

Smart home devices aren’t just a fad. Used and installed correctly they can help save energy, money and also offer peace of mind when it comes to security.

If you’ve got older relatives, a smart home can help ensure they keep warm in winter and can also give them greater control over who they answer the door to.

If you want more help and advice about whether a Nest smart home might be right for you, give us a call on 01473 741320 or drop us an email at info@bartonelectrical.net.