The 5 Elements

Although the possibilities are endless when it comes to smart technology and home automation, every smart home is composed of one or more of the 5 elements:

Energy

Security

Atmosphere

Convenience

Entertainment

These elements represent the areas of our homes and our lives that can benefit from smarter technology. The perfect smart home incorporates and seamlessly integrates all 5 elements.

Note: many of the products listed here require a proprietary hub or controller to get started. This includes SmartThings, Insteon, Wink, Phillips Hue and many others. Before you buy any smart product, make sure you have all of the required hubs, apps or services. Nobody likes getting a shiny new product home and then realizing they don’t have all the necessary parts.

Energy

Nearly every home consumes electricity, gas, water and other utilities on a daily basis. Homeowners are reminded of this every month in the form of a big, fat utility bill. Unless you’re made of money, you’re probably interested in ways to lower these bills.

Smart homes should help you save money by being energy efficient. They should learn your energy use patterns and anticipate your needs. By learning and adapting to your habits, smart homes can use the perfect amount of energy. Nothing more.

Energy efficiency products include smart lighting, learning thermostats, smart electrical outlets, power meters, etc.

Products

ecobee3 Thermostat – $250

Nest Thermostat – $250

WeMo Light Switch – $50

SmartThings Outlet – $55

Insteon Power Meter – $40

Amphiro Shower Meter – $100

Security

The home is at the center of our lives. Whether it’s a farmhouse in the country, a loft in the city or a friend’s saggy futon, everyone kicks off their shoes and sleeps somewhere every night. Couples have candlelit dinners and listen to jazz. Parents tuck their kids into race car beds. Teenagers run over the shrubs when they’re learning to drive. The home is a beautiful and sacred place, but that doesn’t stop bad weather or bad people from intruding.

Smart homes should keep an eye on things 24/7 so you don’t have to. They should remember intrusions or disturbances so you can review them later. Nobody wants to worry about the security of their home, which is where smarter technology can carry some of the burden.

Security products include cameras, motion sensors, environmental sensors, locks, etc.

Products

Belkin NetCam – $130

Nest Cam + Nest Aware – $200

Insteon Motion Sensors – $35

Kidde Smoke & CO Alarm – $50

Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm – $100

Schlage Camelot Lock – $180

August Lock – $200

Convenience

This is the part where smart homes start to feel like the future. Energy efficiency and security are important elements of the smart home but there are many more activities to be streamlined and automated.

Smart homes should make accomplishing everyday tasks more convenient and enjoyable. They should reduce friction throughout your day and help you get more done.

Everyone has a different opinion of what should be smart and automated. Everyone has even stronger opinions of what shouldn’t be smart. The available products are as diverse as these opinions. The current offerings are hit-or-miss, but I believe this element has the most potential.

Products

Amazon Echo – $180

Siri – Free with iOS

Amazon Dash Button – $5 (with $5 rebate)

Mr. Coffee with WeMo – $150

IFTTT – Free

Atmosphere

What is your favorite restaurant? Favorite coffee shop? Favorite nightclub? Besides the food and drinks, why do you like these places so much?

Maybe it’s the indie playlist that’s always spinning your favorite songs. Maybe it’s the industrial style lighting that always gets the mood right. Maybe it’s the memories of Summer ’08, drinking Sangria on the balcony with friends.

Atmosphere describes the way a place makes you feel. It’s the ambiance and energy that surround you and it’s not just for hippies. It’s real.

Smart homes should provide a comfortable atmosphere tailored to your preferences. They should know who is in the house and what they like. They should understand your current mood and react accordingly. Temperature, air quality, lighting, music, furniture and much more contribute to a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Products

GE Link Bulbs – $15 (requires a hub like Wink or SmartThings)

Phillips Hue Start Kit – $200

Nest Thermostat – $250

Holmes Humidifier with WeMo – $200

Sonos Play 3 Wireless Speaker – $300

Entertainment

So you’ve made it this far. You have the most energy efficient, secure, convenient and comfortable house on the block. What’s next?

Have some damn fun!

What good is the world’s most efficient home if it’s also the world’s most sterile, boring home? Smart homes should do cool things for the hell of it. Smart technology can bring art and entertainment to you in a whole new way.

Host an epic movie night and control the TV with your voice. Throw a dance party. Make every light in the house match your favorite team’s colors on game day. Go crazy.

Be careful though, these toys aren’t cheap.

Products

Harmony Elite – $350

Amazon Echo – $180

Sonos Play 3 – $300

Phillips Hue Start Kit – $200

Your Turn

What’s the most important element in your home? Share in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter below for more smart home articles like this. And stay tuned for more in-depth analysis of each element in the future.