In the 1950’s science fiction writers, city planners, and even corporate
executives speculated about the future and an era of unprecedented automation. Futuristic styling was applied to automobiles with towering tail fins and space age dashboards, to household appliances, and even to houses. Movies such as the Glass Bottom Boat Starring Doris Day released in 1966 portrayed wildly automated kitchens as a setting for comedic mishaps.
Still, even the most imaginative visionary could not have foreseen the type of home automation and linked security that provided today by Baron Services. Imagine controlling your security system, your climate control system, and operating door locks from your smart phone, tablet, or laptop. Well imagine no more. The future is here.
Surprisingly there where crude prototypes and plans for automating homes as early as the first decade of the 20th century. At the New York and Chicago World’s Fairs in the 1930’s, people were awed by displays of automated home systems but the cost made commercial development prohibitive. With development of microprocessors and computer systems in the 1970’s, the future became a feasibility. Still, it would take the dramatic technological advancements of the 21st century before the concept of an automated home became an available option for even the average homeowner.
As an indication of how popular, and economically feasible, home automation has become, consider a few quick facts. In 2012, the estimated value of the home-automation market (components, installation, etc.) was around $3.6 billion. The following year the sales of systems doubled and there were 1.8 million system installations nationwide. In 2016 the number of residential installations jumped to 12 million homes!
While security is a primary reason people look to automate their homes, the application of modern technologies is only limited by the imagination. Imagine being able to adjust the temperature of your home from your phone, from anywhere in the world. In the winter you could drop the temperature a few degrees while your away, and warm the house before you arrive home.
New systems can even be integrated with home entertainment components. Record a television program or movie while your away, manage stored programs, and more. Carbon monoxide detectors can be integrated into your security system. Additionally, using your phone anywhere in the world you can check, or change the status of door locks and security system, and even monitor cameras.
Today home automation is only limited by the imagination. Did you know that with the right system you can even operate your oven or refrigerator? Did you know that you can control your home lighting including dimming or turning the lights on or off all from an app on your phone?
It is possible for the savvy homeowner to install some smart home components. However, when it comes to home security and linking it with automation, you need a professional. Contact Baron Services today for an estimate on a home security system that includes 24/7 monitoring for burglary, fire and even medical emergencies.
This feature written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America