What is a Smart Home and Why Is It Needed in a Standard Apartment?

Things with the prefix "smart" are becoming more accessible each year: appliances that were once only seen in movies can now be found in most homes. For example, a robot vacuum cleaner. Its prototype appeared in the movie "The Fifth Element" in 1997 and seemed like science fiction at the time. Today, it can be bought in almost any electronics store.

However, a "smart home" is not just fancy household appliances. It is a complete system of various devices designed to simplify life, reduce costs for utility payments, and monitor everything happening in the house.

A home smart system can turn off an iron left in a socket, shut off the water pipe, and even tell you how your child spends time when you're away.

Modern trend of automating homes and apartments is becoming increasingly popular, so we decided to dedicate several articles to the current issues of "smart homes." We will tell you how it works, what it includes, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether such systems are worth the investment.

What Does a "Smart Home" Consist Of?

It is believed that the first "smart home" appeared in the late 1970s in America. At that time, two companies X10-USA and Leviton introduced the world to a revolutionary development — the technology for controlling appliances through household electrical wiring.

Its capabilities were limited: using six commands, one could regulate lighting in the house, automatically open and close doors, and perform several other basic tasks.

After several decades, "smart homes" can now manage all systems in a house: heating, gas and water supply, as well as household appliances. Now it's possible to brew a cup of coffee using a smartphone.

Besides, every year developers come up with new smart devices, and who knows what will be possible in a few years.

How Does a Smart Home Work?

The controller is responsible for the operation of a "smart home" — the main control unit of the system. It continuously receives signals, monitors sensor activity, and sends data to a smartphone.

Using the controller, you can not only manage devices in real time but also pre-program their behavior and reactions to specific events in the house. If you once set up a custom scenario, the temperature in a room will always be at the desired level, lights will turn on and off automatically, and if no one is home, unused appliances will be switched off or enter energy-saving mode.

All this greatly simplifies modern life, and demand for "smart homes" is growing every day. Many companies around the world offer such devices — and the Russian market is no exception. Rostelecom also offers to integrate smart technologies into your life.

What Is Included in the Rostelecom Smart Home Kit?

The system may include the following devices:

· Leak sensor

· Smoke detector

· Motion sensor

· Door opening sensor

· Smart bulb

· Smart socket

· Video camera.

These devices are assembled into three kits — Basic, Extended, and Control. Each kit includes a controller operating on the z-wave technology — a patented radio technology developed specifically for remote control of electronic devices in indoor environments.

One of the advantages of Rostelecom's "Smart Home" is its versatility and simplicity. Up to 230 other sensors can be connected to the controller, which can be done independently without calling a technician. Thus, you can expand the initial kit with any sensors according to your preferences. Additionally, a video surveillance camera can be purchased separately for each kit.

As you see, modern smart systems for home automation are not complicated at all. It is a simple and accessible way to make your home safer and more comfortable. Why not use it today?