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When smart home gadgets were first introduced, motion sensors were quite fascinating. These sensors would detect activity in a given area by sensing changes in light—impressive, but not very precise. However, nowadays, these imperfect sensors have been replaced by more advanced options that can measure various changes such as temperature, humidity, vibration, presence of water, smoke, gas, or motion. Recently, a new type of sensor has been developed to detect “presence” in a room, rather than just motion. Additionally, there are sensors for monitoring energy usage and water consumption. These sensors are generally small and can be either wired or wireless, making them incredibly useful for maintaining a home or any space. Smart sensors can be present where you are not Simply put, sensors can monitor activities 24/7 without the need for breaks or vacations. While you might eventually notice if a window in your house is open, it would not be an immediate alert; whereas a door and window sensor would provide immediate notification. This time delay becomes crucial when dealing with issues such as a leak under a sink or water heater. If you are away from home, even obvious changes like temperature fluctuations or activity in your living space might go unnoticed by you but not by sensors. Smart sensors serve as perfect triggers for automations Even when there’s no immediate danger or damage, these sensors can provide valuable data points that can be used to initiate smart home automations. For instance, a humidity sensor can trigger a humidifier or dehumidifier. A presence sensor can control the lighting in a room. A vibration sensor can alert you if a pet jumps on the kitchen counter and can emit a discouraging sound to make them leave the area. Five smart sensors to consider:Smart sensors help save money Apart from preventing damage, sensors that monitor energy usage can alert you to any spikes or can provide data about which circuits are consuming the most electricity, allowing you to reduce the demand. Water usage sensors can detect and prevent leaks by shutting off the water supply. Door and window sensors can notify you if they are left open, unintentionally, preventing weather-related issues. Smart sensors provide a safety net Nowadays, most security systems utilize sensors for entry points, like the aforementioned door and window sensors. Additionally, sensors can be used to monitor the movements of family members, including pets, to indicate when they enter or leave a geofenced area. This feature is useful for safety and convenience purposes. For example, upon a family member’s arrival in the vicinity of the home, different actions can be triggered, such as a smart assistant offering a welcome message, adjusting the temperature, or even turning on the kettle. If your pet leaves the designated area, you can immediately receive an alert or track their location. For any aspect of your home that you want to automate, there’s probably a smart sensor for it. The key is to figure out what you need to monitor and find the appropriate sensor for the job. For instance, I placed a vibration sensor on a fence to detect when my newly adopted dog was attempting to climb over it and escape the yard last fall. A water leak sensor notifies me when my planters are leaking, and a temperature sensor signals my greenhouse when to activate the heater. Identifying which sensor will help solve a problem is one of the most intriguing aspects of creating smart home automations.
