Home automation began in the 1980s with new technologies like automatic garage doors, home security systems and motion-sensing lights. While these features may seem unimpressive by today’s standards, they paved the way for modern smart home technology.

The idea of a fully automated home took another couple decades to take shape, and in the early 2000s smart home technology became more affordable and widely available.

Today, smart home systems can control temperature, lights, sound systems, TV, security systems, electronic door locks, video cameras, sprinkler systems and more. Everything can be run from a smart phone or tablet from just about anywhere in the world with internet access.

Modern home automation systems connect appliances to a central server that operates the entire system. This hub is often a wall-mounted server that connects to touch-screen controls, a tablet, a smart phone, laptops and other devices.

The beauty of today’s smart home is that you can set automated features based on personal preferences and the schedules of each individual member of the household. Lights can be programmed to turn on when someone enters a room, the thermostat can be programmed to raise or lower the temperature automatically based on whether anyone is home, and doors can automatically unlock once your car enters the driveway. The sprinkler system can pause itself for five minutes when someone rings the front doorbell or opens a basement door.

At Loudermilk Homes, we integrate the smart home system with voice-activated systems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home to make it even easier and more convenient. For example, a mother who arrives home with grocery bags can speak a few words to automatically turn on the lights and have the door lock behind her.

These features reduce energy bills and can save money in other ways by alerting homeowners to potentially costly problems such as a tree breaking a window during a storm or a water leak.

We look forward to seeing future advances in smart home technology, and you can rest assured that Loudermilk Homes will be on the forefront in adopting it.