Today’s home is more connected than ever. Back in the days of falling asleep in front of a desktop by the time your dial-up loaded a single web page, the possibilities of smart homes were the stuff of science-fiction. With contemporary smart technology, the future is now.
Smart home devices have seamlessly blended in with our everyday lives, revolutionising the way we interact with our living spaces. From dimming the lights with a voice command to keeping tabs on your pets while you’re out through your phone, there’s a gadget for everything.
Of course, all these gadgets rely on internet connection. Chances are, your household broadband powers more devices than you may think. Are you living in a smart home? Read on to learn more about the concept and to understand how many devices are connected to your internet.
What is a Smart Home?
A smart home is a residence equipped with a network of interconnected devices and appliances that can communicate with each other and be controlled remotely. Your entire home doesn't necessarily need to be filled with internet compatible devices to be deemed a smart home. There's every chance yours fits the bill.
Smart home technology enables homeowners to automate various aspects of their daily routines, enhance convenience, improve energy efficiency, and bolster home security. From adjusting the thermostat to match your preferences to receiving alerts on your smartphone when someone rings the doorbell, devices are central to the smart home.
What are Smart Home Devices?
Smart home devices are all those fancy gadgets and gizmos that enhance the functionality, efficiency, and connectivity of day-to-day life. Smart devices leverage cutting-edge technology and connect to the internet to transform your everyday, run-of-the-mill household items into intelligent, interconnect tools.
Types of Smart Home Devices
It's not just your phone, TV, laptop or tablet that relies on broadband. There's a whole host of other devices that make your home smart. Here's just a few examples - how many of these are eating into your bandwidth right now?
Smart speakers and virtual assistants
Devices such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod serve as central hubs for controlling other smart devices using voice commands. They can play music, answer questions, set reminders, and interact with other smart home devices in your ecosystem.
Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats like Nest allow you to control your home's heating and cooling systems remotely via a smartphone app. They learn your temperature preferences over time and can adjust settings automatically to optimize energy efficiency.
Smart lighting systems
Smart light bulbs and lighting systems enable you to control the brightness, colour, and scheduling of your lights using a smartphone or voice commands. They can also be integrated with other smart devices for added convenience and automation.
Smart security and doorbells
Smart security cameras and video doorbells provide real-time surveillance and monitoring of your home, allowing you to check in on your property remotely and receive alerts for motion detection or doorbell rings.
Smart appliances
From refrigerators and ovens to washing machines and vacuum cleaners, smart appliances offer advanced features and connectivity that allow you to monitor and control them remotely. For example, a smart refrigerator might alert you when you're running low on groceries, while a smart oven can be preheated remotely via a smartphone app.
And these are just the tip of the iceberg. We could be here all day listing the near-endless list of internet compatible devices in the home. Below is just a few additional devices to consider:
- Smart kettles
- Smart BBQ grills
- Smart air fryers
- Smart baby monitors
- Smart toothbrushes
- Smart weighing scales
- Smart lawnmowers
The list goes on...
Is my Broadband Good Enough for Multiple Smart Devices?
There are myriad different smart devices out there, but they all have one thing in common; the ability to connect to the internet. You need strong broadband if you're running multiple devices at once. This is especially pertinent in family homes or shared spaces.
At Connect Fibre, we have packages that range from 150Mbps to the dizzying heights of 1000Mbps, ensuring you receive the exact broadband package you need. How does this tally up with your usage, though? Our package finder can give you the answer you need in minutes. Give it a spin today!
Taking Stock of your Devices
Smart devices can accumulate without you even realising. To make the most of your broadband, and to ensure you've got a good idea of which devices are relying on bandwidth, you need to take stock. Here's a few steps to help you assess your smart home device inventory effectively:
Create a smart device list
Begin by compiling a comprehensive list of all the smart devices currently installed in your home. This includes smart speakers, thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, appliances, and any other connected devices. There's even smart toothbrushes these days. Maybe have a double check you accounted for them all!
Check connectivity and compatibility
Verify that all your smart devices are connected to your home network and functioning correctly. Ensure that they are compatible with each other are communicating seamlessly.
Evaluate your experience
Assess your experience with each smart device in terms of usability, reliability, and overall satisfaction. Zero in on which ones are essential and how you use them. This will show you just how important smart devices have become.
Consider any expansions or upgrades you need
Identify any areas where you may want to expand your smart home setup or consider upgrading existing devices. This could include adding new types of smart devices, replacing outdated or malfunctioning devices, or exploring advanced features and technologies.
Keep Your Smart Home Online with Connect Fibre
As identified, your home may well have more devices connected than you'd think. This shift towards the convenience and efficiency of smart devices has had a positive impact in a number of facets in our day-to-day lives. What is clear, though, is that they may be using more bandwidth than your package can handle.
Head on over to our find your perfect package page today to put your internet connection to the test or check our postcode checker to see if Connect Fibre is available in your area.