Home owners know how important it is to protect their investments, whether from intrusion, fire, earthquake, or flood. But they can’t always be at home and every second matters when things go wrong.
Smart home devices and sensors can make a difference in time-sensitive emergencies by saving time, protecting possessions, and preventing anxiety.
Various Smart home sensors
The marketplace is saturated with dozens of smart home sensors, which provide a wealth of real-time information to homeowners by sensing weather conditions, temperature, movement, moisture levels, and more.
Enercare help to sift through the noise with a list of nine smart sensors every smart homeowner needs.
1. Temperature Sensors & Smart Thermostats
Some smart thermostats can also adjust individual room temperatures based on the current activity in that room
Smart home temperature sensors constantly measure the temperature within the home and make adjustment recommendations to the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can turn themselves down in the winter when the owner is away and re-adjust just before they get home.
Some smart thermostats can also adjust individual room temperatures based on the current activity in that room. These smart features may help to save energy and ensure constant comfort levels.
2. Light Sensors
Light sensing smart devices can turn off the light switch when owners don’t remember to and smart bulbs let owners set lighting schedules. So, even if owners forget to turn the basement light off, a light sensor will do it for them. If owners are on vacation, they can set smart bulb timers to go off and on to give the impression someone is home.
Or, the owner can control them manually with their smartphone. Owners can also set times to adjust their brightness to dimmer during the day and brighter at night. These settings may help save hundreds of dollars over the entire year.
3. Motion Sensors
When a motion sensor detects movement, it sends a signal to the phone or other devices like cameras, lights, or alarms. Owners can combine motion sensors with other devices to solve a variety of problems.
For safety, use a motion detector to send a notice if there’s a movement by the swimming pool. This can help protect small children playing in the area. Or the owner can connect a motion sensor to a smart security video camera at door to notify when there is movement. This is a great way to be aware of package deliveries and help catch intruders.
4. Water Leak/Freeze Sensors
Water leak sensors can save owners money on monthly bills and repairs from water damage
Water leak sensors can save owners money on monthly bills and repairs from water damage. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. Smart homeowners use leak detectors around vulnerable areas of their homes where water leaks are a risk.
For example, place them near the hot water tank, under the sink, or around exposed water pipes. After a water sensor alerts to leaking pipes and appliances, an owner can rush home to take care of the problem or phone a plumber before more costly damage occurs. An alternative is to install an automatic shut-off valve, that gets notified of leaks from the leak sensors and can turn off the home’s water supply when a leak is detected. This can also save time and costly damage in case they are not close by.
5. Window and Door Sensors
Alerts for open windows and doors are another indispensable sensor that can save money and keep the owner safe. Smart garage door openers will warn if someone’s forgotten to shut the garage door. Smart window locks will sound an alarm and notify if an intruder opens or breaks a window.
Door sensors can also save energy when owners connect them to smart lighting, which can turn the lights on and off when someone enters or exits a room.
6. Video Doorbell
Smart video doorbells trigger when motion is detected at the front door. They’re equipped with video cameras that take wide-angle HD images.
Even if the owner is not home, an owner can view a live video stream of an intruder, package delivery, or visitor. Some doorbells can even learn individual faces and announce the visitor’s name when they arrive.
7. Weather Sensors
Weather sensors are like temperature sensors but for exterior conditions
Weather sensors are like temperature sensors but for exterior conditions. Use them with smart lawn sprinklers to base the watering schedule on the chances of rain.
If the temperature suddenly drops or a thunderstorm hits, a weather sensor connected to window sensors could tell which windows are open and need to be closed to protect from rain damage.
8. Smart Smoke and CO Sensors
In addition to smoke and carbon monoxide, smart smoke sensors can also monitor the air quality in the home for pollen, dust, or other particulates.
Some smart smoke detector models can even differentiate between burnt toast and an actual house fire, giving owners a chance to cancel the alarm before it goes off.
Managing and optimizing energy consumption
The future of smart home sensors is moving to develop better ways to integrate all of the devices. Major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple are developing their assistants as control hubs for many of these smart devices.
As these technologies progress, it’s expected that homeowners will use them to manage and optimize their energy consumption. Home safety will continue to be a priority, as mobile devices become the central hub of the status of the homes while we’re away at work or on vacation.
