Home automation systems allow you to control various devices using a central hub, app, or device. You can control devices as varied as your coffee pot, lights, thermostat, and security alarm from a central hub, app, or device. 

Backing up a home automatic system is a source of technology that powers and connects these different devices in your home. The four most common types of technology currently used to connect and power home automation systems are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, and X10.

#1 Wi-Fi

One of the most common operation standard sources used in home automation today is Wi-Fi. It's easy to find a lot of smart devices that can be used to create a whole-home automated system that rely on Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is commonly used because people are familiar with Wi-Fi and have a basic understanding of how it works.

One of the major downsides of Wi-Fi is that it uses up your bandwidth on your home internet system, which can cause other Wi-Fi-dependent devices, such as your computer or smart TV, to run slower. If you have too many devices running at once on your Wi-Fi, you may run into congestion and interference with your Wi-Fi home automation devices.

#2 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Many people are familiar with Bluetooth technology. A Bluetooth Low Energy network builds on the basic idea behind Bluetooth, where two devices connected via a low-range radio frequency and uses multiple low rang frequencies to create an entire network in your home, so all of your devices can talk to one another. Each device sends out a signal that is picked up by the other devices. Bluetooth Low Energy is also highly encrypted and secure.

#3 Zigbee

Zigbee is another type of operating standard that home automation devices can run on. Like many Wi-Fi networks, Zigbee runs at a 2.4 GHz frequency. This frequency allows for devices to communicate with one another across a greater distance. Zigbee doesn't use a low of power, and creates a pretty secure network as well.

#4 X10

The last operating standard is the X10. The X10 is actually an older operating standard that isn't as popular these days. The X10 operating system uses the power lines within your home to transmit signals and information from one device to the next. This works well for devices that are plugged in. However, one of the biggest downsides to the X10 is that the information signals are not sent at a very fast rate.

When you are looking to invest in home automation services, make sure that you consider the operating standard that is powering the system. Make sure the operating system fits your security and communication needs.