I have this fascination for networking and automating my home to transform it into a smart home. Although, some sort of basic electronic automation applications are being used in many homes here recently, it still cannot be called a trend.

In my home, I have a wireless network setup using a basic Netgear wireless router for the laptops and a wired network for the desktops with printer sharing. I plan to add an IP surveillance camera for the main gate and connect the TV to the network so that I can watch my movies on the bigger screen and share photos. But there is a lot of solutions available out there for designing a truly smart home.

The wide variety of solutions available like wireless networking,home theatre design with audio video integration across the home, automated lighting and electrical appliances control, curtain control, security and HVAC systems that bring technology to your home and blend it with the interiors. The result is that all the wires and controllers are hidden away somewhere and your home is transformed into a smart home customized to suit your lifestyle.

These solutions are not just about being a step ahead from your neighbors. A smart home is also about saving energy. Consider, LED motion sensing lights for your staircases that switch on automatically and after midnight it alerts the home security system of possible intrusion. Automated control of your room air-conditioners as well as solar power for water heating and garden lights save a lot on the electricity bills.

The smart home is not just automated but also secure. Only a valid smart card holder can open the front door. In case of forced entry, the owner is alerted through SMS, e-mail or even a phone call. The security person at the gate is also informed automatically. On making a valid entry inside the house, a welcome greeting message is given. It switches on desired lights, fans, etc. based on the user profile.

There have been some installations at upscale apartments in the big metros but the myth that implementing smart home solutions are expensive has restricted its use in a wide scale. The truth is that when you are going for a new home, the cost of implementing the basic smart home solutions costs only a fraction of the total cost. Depending on your budget and the type of solutions you want, a customized solution can be designed.

Smart home solutions can also be implemented in existing homes without bringing down walls and miles of cabling as there are equally affordable wireless solutions. Just imagine you not worrying whether the geyser has been turned off or not after you left for a vacation. Use it your mobile phone to check!

Recently, I got almost addicted to the subject and I am doing a lot of online research into it. Look forward to post more on it soon.