Is Having a Smart Home Worth It?

Many love the comfort and convenience a smart home offers. But some people might put off their transition to a smart home, thinking of it as an expensive and complicated task. Here are the benefits of a smart home system you can look forward to:

Convenient

The major advantage of a smart home system is how it adds to the convenience of operating everyday electrical appliances at home. Without moving an inch from wherever you are in your home, you can control everything from your lighting to kitchen appliances to the TV screen.

Money-Saving

Replacing your regular lights and appliances with a smart home system can help you save some money. For example, if you are outside and forgot to power off the lights, TV, AC, or other electrical appliances, you can immediately switch them off from anywhere thanks to your smart home phone apps.

Problem-Solving

Installing smart home systems will let you time or program lights, plugs, and appliances to make daily living more convenient. This can be helpful for elderly or disabled people who may need brighter lighting at home or can help with power-saving if you have young children who forget to turn the lights off.

How can a Smart Home System Contribute Towards Your Home’s Safety?

Ensuring the safety and security of your home is the top priority for any homeowner. Smart systems and devices ensure an extra layer of security for your home. By installing smart cameras, you can keep an eye on who is trying to get unauthorised access to your abode. You can install our smart sensors on your doors to get alerts about any movements around your premises. Moreover, you can schedule your lights to power on and off automatically to deceive and deter potential burglars from breaking into your home.

Achieve Complete Control over your Smart Home with the Near App

Already enjoying your automated home equipped with smart lights, sensors, switches and other devices? We, at Near, are here to take your experience to the next level. Now, you can have full control of your smart home in Singapore with the Near app. 

The Near App 3.0, available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store, is ready to offer you even more benefits than before. The new lighting control panel lets you choose days and times to set your smart lights to fade in and out for greater convenience in day-to-day life, while the power-on controls will save you some time in reconfiguring your smart lights even after a power outage. Additionally, the new Near app lets you manage and keep tabs on all of your smart home products at once.

Create Smart Home With Zigbee

Zigbee is a wireless smart home technology that operates on the 2.4GHz frequency, enabling a cost-effective and secure way to control various devices within the smart home system. Popular in Singapore among smart homeowners, Zigbee stands out as a reliable alternative to other protocols like Z-Wave, Matter, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Its mesh networking capability ensures that devices from different manufacturers can communicate, enhancing the integration of smart devices such as Amazon Echo, Philips Hue, and others. With low power consumption and long battery life, Zigbee provides seamless control through an IP connection when linked to a Zigbee hub.

The 128-bit AES encryption ensures security, making it a sought-after choice in smart home technology. With a range of 10-20 metres indoors (75-300 metres outdoors), Zigbee offers flexibility in device placement and interaction. Whether you're considering an upgrade to your existing setup or starting fresh with a smart home system, Zigbee offers a flexible, energy-efficient, and secure solution to meet your needs.

How Zigbee Works In Smart Homes

Zigbee's functionality in a smart home is based on a mesh networking system where devices communicate using a radio transceiver operating on the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol over 2.4 GHz. Unlike Wi-Fi, Zigbee's shorter range (10-20 metres indoors) conserves energy, prolonging battery life.

A Zigbee network consists of coordinators, routers, and end devices. The coordinator, usually a Zigbee hub, sets up and administers the network, coordinating the Personal Area Network (PAN). Routers repeat the Zigbee signal, ensuring seamless communication between devices. End devices, usually battery-powered, form the endpoints of the network, not forwarding any signals.

In a Zigbee mesh network, signals are relayed from one device to another, enhancing effective range. When one device is out of direct range from the hub, other devices can forward the message, creating a daisy chain effect. This “signal-hopping” increases range and reliability and makes Zigbee's network “self-healing,” as it automatically reroutes signals if a router goes offline.

Devices like Amazon Echo, Philips Hue, IKEA Tradfri, and Homey are all seamlessly connected using Zigbee, making smart home automation efficient and user-friendly. Moreover, Zigbee's open standard means that it can be customised for different applications, allowing manufacturers to build diverse products that cater to various smart home needs. Zigbee's adaptability enables it to be more than just a protocol for lighting or security; it can be employed across a wide array of smart home functions like heating, cooling, or home entertainment systems. Zigbee also supports the creation of multiple networks within a single space, enabling greater flexibility in managing various device categories.

Perks of Zigbee In Your Singapore Smart Home Systems

The adoption of Zigbee in Singapore's smart home systems offers various perks that contribute to an advanced, secure, and efficient living environment.

• Compatibility and Connectivity: Zigbee allows smart home residents in Singapore to connect multiple devices like lights, plugs, and smart locks, thanks to its standardised protocol. This standardisation supports a wide array of products like Amazon Echo, Philips Hue, and others. With a single hub, users can effortlessly control numerous devices across various rooms, making their smart home system highly efficient and interactive.
• Mesh Networking: Zigbee’s mesh networking increases the effective range within the smart home, as nodes relay signals to create a more expansive and resilient network. This “self-healing” nature ensures continued performance even if a device goes offline. It dynamically adapts to changes in the network, ensuring uninterrupted control.
• Power-Efficiency: Zigbee’s low energy consumption during standby reduces electric usage and enhances battery life. This conservation of power translates into a greener and more sustainable smart home, reducing carbon footprints and lowering energy bills.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Often 20-50% cheaper than alternative technologies like Z-Wave, Zigbee provides a more budget-friendly smart home solution. This price efficiency enables more Singapore residents to adopt advanced smart home technologies without breaking the bank.
• Security: Zigbee's commitment to secure communication is evident with its use of 128-bit AES encryption. This ensures a secure smart home system, protecting your privacy and data from potential breaches.
• Stability: Zigbee’s intelligent ability to reroute signals provides a stable network that won’t go down even if a device is turned off or malfunctioning. It offers peace of mind, knowing that one faulty link won't disrupt the entire smart home system.
• Cloud Connectivity: Through smart hubs, Zigbee connects to the cloud, offering control through apps on smartphones or tablets. This enables automation and remote access, essential for modern smart homes in Singapore, making it easy to control your home even when away.
• Ease of Setup: Zigbee offers a user-friendly experience, with simple steps that include choosing a smart hub, selecting compatible devices, and connecting them. This ease contributes to a hassle-free setup, making smart home automation accessible to everyone.

Why Choose Near For Your Smart Home Setup

• Great Customer Service: Near prioritises customer satisfaction above all else. From the initial inquiry to post-purchase support, our friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to guide you through your smart home journey. 
• Reasonable and Affordable Pricing: Near's smart home solutions are designed with you in mind, fitting various budgets without compromising on quality. By focusing on efficiency and innovation, we make smart living accessible to everyone, regardless of economic background.
• Locally Grown: Proudly Singaporean, Near is not just another international brand for smart home products. We understand the specific needs and preferences of local residents. By crafting products that resonate with Singaporean lifestyles and aesthetics, we provide smart solutions that feel genuinely tailored to our community.
• End-to-End Service: With Near, convenience is key. Our end-to-end service takes you from product purchase to installation and configuration, all in one hassle-free package. Our trained professionals ensure smooth implementation, easing your mind and fitting the unique needs of your smart home.
• 2-Year Product Warranty: At Near, we believe in the integrity of our smart home products, and our 2-year warranty stands as a testament to our commitment to quality and durability. We stand behind our products, offering repairs or replacements, and fostering trust and confidence in what we offer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Homes Solutions in Singapore

1. Is it expensive to create a smart home in Singapore?

Most people in Singapore think smart homes are a huge expense, but that is not true. Not all smart home products are expensive, and the cost of your smart home will depend on what gadgets you are looking to purchase. Due to advancements in technology, you can now create a smart home at affordable prices.

2. Can I make my small home smart

Smart technology is made for homes of every size. Upgrade your small home by installing Near smart devices including smart LED lights, smart switches, smart sensors, smart cameras and more that are easy to install without messy wiring and can be controlled from your smartphone. 

If you are looking forward to experiencing a smart home system in Singapore, shop online from our wide range of future-oriented automation solutions at Near. Enjoy island-wide delivery to your doorstep when you order online from us today.

Discover Near, Your Smart Home Partner

Established in 2019, Near is your trusted partner for smart home solutions in Singapore (SG). Our journey began with a vision to make quality smart lighting accessible to every Singaporean home. Our blend of lighting performance, hardware design, and smart functionalities sets us apart. We constantly innovate with rapid releases of new products and consistent technological upgrades, ensuring you always have the best. Emphasising mindfulness, our products are designed to help you live in the present moment and enjoy every occasion. 

We are committed to delivering great quality products at reasonable and affordable prices, without compromising on safety or customer support. As a locally grown company, we understand the Singapore market's unique needs. Our end-to-end services cover everything from product purchase to installation and configuration, offering ease of mind and convenience. Moreover, our products are user-friendly, compatible with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, and controlled through a well-designed mobile app. Because of all these features, Near is becoming the top smart home brand in Singapore.

Join us on this illuminating journey as we strive to light up every Singaporean home with innovation, quality, and care. Near is not just a brand; it's a promise of a brighter, smarter living experience.