Understanding Smart Homes: What They Are and How They Work

Smart tech can give you easy and efficient control over your home environment, from security to energy efficiency. Not sure whether to take the leap? We explain just how simple and easy it is. In this guide, learn what a smart home is, how it works, and whether switching or transitioning to a smart home would work best for your needs. Also, explore new ways to expand your smart home with versatile tech.

What is a Smart Home?

A smart home involves linking your devices and appliances to an internet-connected ecosystem. You can then control or program your smart home environment remotely using your smartphone, computer, or vehicle dashboard, automating anything from:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Lighting
• Security
• Energy use monitors
• Power controls
• Smoke detection systems
• Garage door systems

Some key components and technologies that make a home “smart” can include:

• Home automation
• Sensor technology for heat, light, or movement
• Voice control technology
• Microchip reading tools
• Timers
• Smart locking technology
• Internet and Bluetooth connectivity

How Smart Homes Work

We explained that smart homes are centralized control systems and involve wireless communication between devices using an internet connection. But how does that work? Let’s take a closer look.

Smart home technology communicates through radio frequencies (like Wi-Fi). Usually, a central hub controls operations, where you can access schedules, automation, and your personal smart home preferences.

Did you know? While you can wirelessly control smart technology, you can install it using hardwired systems. Hardwiring a system could be useful if you’re looking to improve home connectivity stability or if your area's Wi-Fi connection is weak or limited. Check which frequencies your smart devices are compatible with.

How does smart locking and geofencing work?

Smart locking tools help you secure doors in your home and your garage. They often use encryption and two-factor authentication to add two different layers of security, such as a fingerprint and a password. This means that even if someone gains access to your password, they must pass an additional security layer to open the lock.

Cars with myQ Smart Vehicle Access have geofencing capabilities that automatically open or close your garage door when they sense your vehicle. You’ll need a smart garage opener to do this: geofencing tools must be able to communicate with it to open and close your garage. Smart cameras are also integrated with smart locking technology, meaning that you can monitor your home for suspicious activity while controlling your locking system remotely.

What is home automation?

Use smart home tech’s automation functions to monitor ambient activity such as temperature, light levels, and energy use, adjusting your appliance functions accordingly with these subtle environmental changes. For example, if it’s cold in your house, temperature sensors pick up this change and communicate it to your heating system, which becomes active.

How home automation puts you in control

The technology puts you in control. Did you lock up your garage correctly when you left the house? Just check the Smart Home app on your phone to make doubly sure. Smart home scheduling features can also help you manage tasks more efficiently. If you’re busy or out, you can use smart home irrigation systems to water your plants at a particular time. Smart cat flaps can read your feline companion’s microchip and let them in—rather than pesky visitors.

With smart home technology automating and optimizing your household tasks, this frees up much time better spent on projects, working, or simply relaxing.

Why Switch or Transition to a Smart Home?

You might be thinking, "I love the sound of this technology, but do I have to transition to a smart home completely?" or “How do I make a smart house?”

Fortunately, you can make small steps towards creating a smart home without fully switching to one.

Since many new smart products on the market, like garage door openers and security cameras, can fit right into pre-existing smart home ecosystems, you can build your smart home system over time.

You can also completely personalize and customize your Smart Home ecosystem based on your own unique preferences. Here are just some of the other benefits of a smart home:

• Enhanced energy efficiency: Smart systems can make your home much more energy efficient by automatically adjusting thermostat settings, turning off lights when you’re not using them, or efficiently managing air conditioning. .
• Increased home security: With Smart system movement sensors, cameras accessible remotely from your smartphone, and automatic smart locks that can be triggered when you’re outside the home, keeping your home secure is much easier. .
• Cost savings: As well as improved energy efficiency, Smart Homes can help you save money by detecting even the smallest water leaks or limiting water usage, helping you save on home insurance and water waste.

myQ: Expanding Your Smart Home with Versatile Technology

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just curious about getting started, smart home technology is easily integrated. You don’t need a professional installer—check our compatibility guide to find out more. Bluetooth connectivity means that setup is easy with most Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and devices. Below are some smart home must-haves to consider for your setup.

Garage Door Openers

With smart garage door openers and other tools, safely run and monitor your garage directly from your vehicle or smartphone. Garage door openers allow you to open and close garage doors remotely. As we explained before, smart garage door openers can also cooperate with your Smart Vehicle geofencing tech.

myQ works with garage partners to provide smart vehicle access with geofencing technology. Our Connected Garage feature profile gives you:

• Geofence technology: When you leave or arrive home, our geofence technology identifies where your vehicle is and either automatically opens or closes your garage.
• In-car notifications: Stay secure and connected at all times with detailed, informative in-car notifications straight from your smart garage device.
• mQ Smart Vehicle Access: Smart Vehicle Access is the only software that gives you Intelligent Door State monitoring, telling you whether your garage door is open or closed and about the presence of vehicles.

Access our smart garage technology remotely from your car’s infotainment dashboard interface, giving you hands-free control over garage systems and other smart-home devices – from just about anywhere.

We’re also connected with garage partners like:

• Kia
• Nissan
• Tesla
• INFINITI
• Honda
• Acura
• Mercedes-Benz
• Volkswagen
• Mitsubishi

Indoor and Outdoor Security Cameras

Some indoor and outdoor security cameras can give you 24/7 access to security video streaming. They might also record this footage, meaning you can check it over whenever you need. Cameras with motion sensors can also detect potential intruders and notify you if anyone’s at your door.

Remotely controllable and viewable via our myQ app, our indoor and outdoor security camera range gives you:

• Smart motion detection: Identify movement within the home, from kids paying to unexpected guests.
• Day-to-night vision: 1080p HD clarity, 130-degree swivel lens, and night vision – so you can see everything.
• Live streaming: Keep track of your home security in real-time.

Enhance Your Home Today

Learning about smart homes is a crucial first step in building one. Creating a smart home is highly customizable and personal to you, creating a smart home is a great way to boost your home comforts and keep you safe where it matters most. myQ’s smart technology fits into your pre-existing smart home ecosystem and enhances your convenience, security, and home management.

Sources

Smart Homes Made Simple. What It Is. https://smarthomesmadesimple.org/what-it-is/

Research Gate. Smart Home System: A Comprehensive Review. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369434604_Smart_Home_System_A_Comprehensive_Review

Science Direct. Smart Home. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/smart-home