Smart homes are amazing. For many people, they can feel like something out of a science fiction movie or from “The Jetsons.” From turning on the lights to playing your favorite music, you can control devices in your home by simply speaking out loud.
Having a smart home isn’t just convenient, the right connected technologies can add value to your property, help keep you safe and save you money. The only problem is that technology can be intimidating. Many families don’t use new technology because they don’t understand how it works. Let’s take a look at how to transition your home into a smart one.
Choose a Platform
One of the first smart home technologies out there was the smart thermostat. It provided an easy way to schedule heating and cooling based on your temperature preferences. Over time, these systems evolved and started to learn from your thermostat habits. Since then, we’ve been introduced to a plethora of smart home devices, from robot vacuums to smart plugs.
In order to have a truly smart home, you should start by choosing a single platform (e.g., Amazon Echo and Google Home) to connect all of your smart devices. Spend some time researching home automation platforms to see which features are right for you.
Pick Your Devices
Once you have a platform, pick devices that are compatible with that system. Most of the popular brands will work with the major platforms, but always make sure that the device you want works with your chosen platform or you could be stuck with multiple systems — and that just gets confusing — so choose wisely.
Here are some of the more popular devices found in homes:
- Streaming television systems
- Music players
- Smart lighting systems
- Lawn sprinklers
- Coffeemakers
- Smart plugs
Explore the different options available; they come in a variety of price ranges and some of them offer extra features that others do not.
You may also want to choose some devices that do not connect to a single platform but are “smart” all the same. Robotic vacuums are a good example of this. They can be configured to sweep up at certain times of day, freeing you up from making time to run the vacuum cleaner.
Home Security
Finally, look at your home security system. There are security camera systems that let you monitor your property right from the palm of your hand. They offer high-resolution recording, night vision, and motion detection. Plus, many do not require wired installation, making the set-up easier than ever before. These wire-free home security camera systems run on lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged (about every four months or so). And because they’re wire-free, they can be installed anywhere you want, both inside and outside your home.
Creating your own smart home is easier than it looks. Start with a platform and choose devices that will help make your home run more smoothly. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you can make your house a smart home.
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