Smart homes used to be plots of sci-fi movies decades ago. Now, they are topics of how-to guides like this one brought to you by Mr. Electric of Atlanta. The appeal of a smart home goes beyond their magic. Home automation offers convenience never seen before. With a smart home, you can remotely lock doors or turn on lights. When you are not home, your robot vacuum will clean up the area and your thermostat will go into energy-saving mode. Your indoor and security cameras will feed footage directly to your mobile phone. But it can't be that easy, can it? It can, provided you have set a solid foundation. This article will go over some fundamentals to ensure your smart home is set up for success.
Set Up A Good Connection
There are hundreds of devices that allow you to remotely control lighting, temperature, security cameras, and even dishwashers. The selling point of these devices is their interconnectedness and your ability to control them from afar. There is no magic involved. Instead, this system relies on solid and stable connectivity. For your smart home and devices to communicate effectively, you will need a strong, consistent WIFI signal. Invest in a great internet plan and purchase a wireless router that is capable of sending WIFI signal to all areas of your home. Install the router in a prime location, central to all of the devices.
Get A Reliable Smart Hub
Many smart devices such as Google's Nest and Amazon's Ring have their own apps which allow you to control the devices remotely. Other devices are more generic and should be connected to a hub such as the Wink or Samsung's SmartThings. These smart hubs are the dashboard for your smart home system. A dedicated smart hub that connects even the devices that have apps is more convenient way to access your smart devices that switching through different apps.
Determine the Features You Want
There are hundreds of smart devices on the market. It can be overwhelming. Start by determining the features you want. Here are some of the key categories and some details for each:
- Security Systems: Why outsource your home security when you can monitor your cameras yourself? Full smart security systems come with door sensors, motion sensors, sirens, and more. The app can notify you when a camera spots unusual activity.
- Doorbells and Locks: You do not have to get up from your seat to see who's at the door. Smart doorbells and smart locks allow you to remotely welcome guests and service providers.
- Lights: Smarts bulbs allow you to control individual lights or groups of lights from your phone, letting you create the mood. They can even turn on and off automatically based on certain triggers.
- Thermostats: Set and track temperature in your rooms with a smart thermostat. Sensors allow you to save money on energy by turning off the thermostat when you are gone and turning on when you are approaching home.
Do you need smart home system installation in your area? Contact Mr. Electric now to schedule experienced electricians in Atlanta for any type of smart home system installation services.
