Every day seems to bring another new smart device to the market.  Several key technology areas are driving the innovation – the availability of inexpensive, powerful chips, cloud-based software platforms, multiple wireless technologies, and machine learning – are enabling the addition of intelligent features to a slew of home devices.

Earlier this year at the CES consumer technology show, we saw a host of new smart devices introduced.  Smart lights, speakers, thermostats, coffeemakers, washing machines, irrigation controllers, refrigerators, ranges, and even toilets are getting injections of smart technology.  The technology in your home is accelerating from interesting novelty to genuine usefulness. Automation will bring about a change in how we use and manage our homes.  The functionality of smart home devices and systems is only getting better every year, and as it matures, we will become more accustomed to it and grow to depend on it in our daily lives – much like the smartphone.

Since we're early in this new year, we want to highlight the trends that will be driving the new smart products you will see in 2019.  This is the year when smart home automation becomes mainstream.  If you haven't yet invested in a home automation system for your Groton residence, there is no better time. 

Read on to learn more about the smart home automation trends you’ll be seeing this year. 

Until recently, the possibilities for storing energy in your home were very limited or nonexistent. What do you do when an ice storm knocks out power in your Stonington home? If power is out for more than a few hours, you might resort to a propane-powered generator. But that isn't the most eco-friendly or efficient solution.

Recent advances in battery technology have now made it feasible and cost-effective to store energy in your home. Why might you want to do that? If there's a power outage in an icy Connecticut winter, you can have your own source of energy. Moreover, these new systems are more than just a battery – they are intelligent energy management systems. They can help reduce your energy costs by storing power from the electric grid when it is abundant and cheapest, as in overnight hours. Electric utilities are also instituting energy management programs that are called demand response. These are ways to reduce power demand during peak times, which could be during a particularly cold Connecticut snowstorm or the occasional New England summer heat wave. Demand response allows utilities to control consumption by getting opt-in access from consumers to reduce their demand through control of smart thermostats and other means. 

C&T Systems is ready for this new intelligent energy management future. We are proud to announce that we will be working with Sonnen, the leader in smart energy management systems. Why Sonnen?  Because it is also the first product of its kind that can also be linked to smart home automation systems. With smart home automation and energy management systems working together, you can efficiently manage your consumption and prepare for the unexpected.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of Sonnen energy management systems for your Connecticut property in the Stonington area or beyond.

We are living in a world awash with smart devices. Every day, something new comes out that adds intelligence and connectivity to an everyday device or appliance. Would you like a coffeemaker that can be turned on via Amazon Alexa voice control?

We Rhode Islanders are sometimes skeptical. Perhaps we don’t need a connected coffee maker, or maybe we think it’s a great idea. Regardless, what we do want in smart devices and home automation is the ability to make that automated functionality work well with other features in our home in the Westerly area. There are quite a few “connected” light bulbs and electrical plugs out there, but they only connect to one app on your phone. 

When it comes to lighting systems and control, there is one undisputed leader in the field – Lutron.  Lutron originated the first solid-state lighting dimmer way back in 1959, and has not stopped since, creating sophisticated lighting control systems for both residential and commercial use. 

Lutron has invested heavily in integration with other systems. If you are looking for a lighting control system, you want to be able to integrate it with other home control solutions, either now or in the future. 

Let’s take a look at some of the ways Lutron lighting systems play well with others. 

Home automation is about more than controlling all your technology; it’s also about weaving your tech throughout your Stonington, CT house so that it works with your interior design. Audio, video and other smart devices shouldn’t detract from the look of the house; they should complement it. An integrator can give you the right controls and also hide all of the technology. Learn how by reading this blog.