Aussies are introducing smart technology into their homes at a growing rate, but the good news is that you no longer need to be a cashed-up-tech-whizz to increase your home's IQ.
Brilliant Lighting smart technology engineer Jason Spadano said 'plug and play' style products are a simple and affordable way to introduce smart technology into your home. Here are his suggestions on ways to integrate smart products into your home.
1. Enhance the look and feel of a room
Lighting can transform the look and feel of a room. Opt for a smart bulb that has a colour changing and dimmable function so you can adjust the colour and brightness to suit the space and vibe.
For example, cool colours like blues and greens are perfect for creating a calming feel in a bedroom or home office. Or if you're entertaining friends, you can rotate the colours to create your own home disco.
LED Strip Lights are another great, inexpensive and easy-to-install way to elevate a space. Use LED lights to highlight accents around the house including kitchen cabinets, hallways and stairs.
2. Smarten up your home security
Outdoor smart security lights are ideal for those winter mornings and nights when you're leaving and arriving home from work in the dark. You can set them on a timer so they turn on and off at certain times or sensors that switch on when movement is detected. Choose a brand that can be controlled remotely via app, so if you're away for the weekend or on holidays you can turn the lights on remotely and it will look like someone is home.
If you want to take your home security to the next level, smart wifi cameras are a great option. These handy devices allow you to monitor your home from your smartphone and record surveillance, 24-7. The good news is there's some great options on the market for under $100.
We recommend opting for a smart camera with an alarm feature, so if you spot someone on your property via your smartphone footage or SMS alert, you can activate an alarm and watch them head for the hills.
3. Stress less about leaving appliances on when you run out the door
We've all experienced that moment of panic when you're running late, rushing out the door and you get to your destination and freeze, worried that you've left the hair straightener, iron or heater on. A smart home can eliminate this stress and worry.
Connecting your smart appliances through an app allows you to control your home lighting, security, heating and plug in appliances such as televisions and heaters, from anywhere in the world. Using a smart plug, you can turn any existing household appliances, such as kettles or irons, into smart products by simply plugging them in.
4. Save money and reduce your environmental footprint
Cut down your power bills and be more environmentally friendly by switching to LED smart bulbs, which use 75 per cent less energy than conventional old fashioned lighting, as well as lasting 25 times longer. Using appliances only as you need them also reduces energy usage and the impact on our natural resources.
Save energy by controlling heating, lighting and appliances from your smart app and motion controlled sensors anywhere, anytime. Set your home heating on a timer rather than leaving it running all night and racking up a massive energy bill.
5. Smarten up your summer outdoor entertaining area
Smart garden lights can be controlled via app or voice command. Make your garden smart and set a tone that best compliments your flowers and plants by adding both single colour and multi-coloured RGB lighting.
6. Turn your child's bedtime routine into a dream
Substitute the ordinary globe in your child's bedside lamp with a smart bulb to ensure a smooth bedtime routine and good night sleep for kids and parents alike. You can personalise the colours from blue to red or yellow and set a calming mood in your child's room. You can also turn the lights off using the app from anywhere in the home, ensuring that you don't wake your little one in the process.
Jason recommends choosing smart products, such as Australian-owned BrilliantSmart, that are affordable, easy to use, do not require a hub and can be controlled by voice command or remotely via mobile phone app. Find these in retailers and electrical wholesalers nationwide.
