When it comes to our day to day lives, we’re becoming more technologically advanced every year. Our phones went from indestructible bricks to tiny computers and our homes are filled with smart technology. With all the new devices and tricks, you might be wondering how to transform your household with smart home automation.
That’s where we come in. With so many different options to choose from with smart home automation, finding the best place to start begins right here. Below is a comprehensive list of different items to purchase for your home and learn more about how to automate them to fit your household or personal needs.
Tips to Make the Most of Home Automation
To make the most of these new changes, there are some tips to maximize your success and goals. Don’t spend excess time with installing, understanding and configuring your new items, instead make decisions before purchasing anything. This can optimize your time, keeping your decisions thought out without having to start over a few years later.
Tip #1 Figure Out Which Smart Home Platform You’re Interested In
There’s three major smart home automated platforms on the market right now. Chances are, your home will have at least one of them. Of course, the platforms we’re talking about are the Amazon Alexa, Google Home Assistant or the Apple HomeKit. These options have taken over the home automation market, providing customers with different options for their digital help. Granted, these items can all exist in the same household, but it just isn’t necessary to have that.
Alexa and Google are both smart speakers and voice assistants. But, they also have the option for controlling smart devices and automating your life into a daily routine. The Apple HomeKit however is designed as a hub option, streamlining the set up and daily management. However, it does interact with the Apple Siri, so there is a voice assistant available if you have your iPhone or iPad handy.
Having a Hub
This is another essential choice for your system. A smart hub is the brains of the operation. This meeting point between your phone and the equipment. There are different features and compatibility depending on which you choose. We recommend the Qolsys IQ Panel 2+.
This panel creates a home filled with safety and ease. It comes equipped with a seven inch high-definition touchscreen, a built in five megapixel camera, and multiple wireless radios. The panel has built in glass breaking protection, keeping it durable and protected against anyone who tries to damage it. The hub works with the equipment to change things like the thermostat, closing the garage door, seeing who is at your front door, and working with geofence. Additionally, anytime the alarm system is disarmed, the camera snaps a picture for records. There are endless conveniences at the touch of a button.
Let’s Talk Internet Connection
If you’re making the switch to having smart home devices, you’re going to need a solid and reliable internet connection. These products work through Wi-Fi. Making sure that you have the best internet connection possible is crucial to maintaining and enjoying your automations.
Pick a Quality Security System
When it comes to securing your household, you have to go with the best option for your family. Whether you’re looking for contract, no contract, bells and whistles, or the basics: do your research and find the best fit.
Smart Home Automation #1: Integrating Smart Lights and Smart Light Switches
Smart lights are a great way to integrate smart home automations. They are controlled through Wi-Fi and smartphone applications to change color, hue, brightness, and create schedules. There are plenty of options on the market, you just need to find what works best for you!
On the other side of things is a smart light switch. These are also Wi-Fi enabled with customizations of lighting in your house. They look similar to a regular light switch, but can be automated through phones. These devices work through buttons with wireless signals. Then, the signals control both regular lights and smart lights. You can then create scenes. Scenes give different presets with existing color and or brightness combinations.Here are some integration ideas for smart lights and smart light switches that you can make, starting today:
- Using smart lights at a lower brightness level to conserve energy and reduce bills
- Schedule a scene to automatically dim your lights before you’re ready to go to sleep
- Set up a geofence and have smart lights turn off when you exit the geofence
- Additionally, set up a different schedule to have the lights turn on when you enter the geofence
- Dim lights to a warmer color before bedtime to replicate the sunset
- Set up lights to flash on and off, giving the appearance of being home when you’re away
- Automatically turn on your lights during sunset hours to 40% and then dim to 20% after a few hours
- One button turns on all lighting for a floor or room, instead of just controlling one light
- Lights turn on when someone rings a doorbell
- Lights automatically turn on when the garage door opens up after sunset
- Motion sensors to turn lights on and off due to vacancy or activity
- Create an “all off” or “all on” button to control the entire home
Smart Security Options for Home Automation
Let’s move into the security side of home automation. There are so many different options when it comes to securing your home these days, that some choices even include automation. Below are different ideas you can choose from to integrate into your home starting today.
Geofencing
In the previous section, you read about how to use geofencing for your smart lights. There are other options with geofencing, including your thermostat and security measures. You can automate it so that when your phone leaves the geofence, your thermostat can either turn off or change to a temperature that is more economical. Additionally, you can have the thermostat kick on at your desired temperature when you re-enter the geofence.
You can also have your garage door open and close with a geofence location. This way, you never have to wonder if you closed your garage door! Once you leave the geofence, your garage door goes down and your home security system turns on. Just like the lights and thermostat, the opposite happens when you come back home.
Automation With Your Front Door
There are options you can choose from when you’re looking towards securing your home and front door. You can automate your hub to show you who is at your front door through the use of doorbell cameras. That way, you know exactly who is at your house! Some doorbell cameras come with a two way microphone, so you’re able to talk to them. For example, if USPS is dropping off a package and you’d prefer that they put it at your back door, you’re able to communicate directly with the delivery service, no matter where you are. Whether you’re at the office or in your upstairs bedroom, you have the ability to talk directly to them.
You can also set up built-in alerts if your front door has been open longer than five minutes, or even have it automated to turn your thermostat off. This way, you’re saving on energy and you’re alerted if your home is left vulnerable.
Moving Forward Towards Automation
When it comes to smart home automation and security, trust ONIT with your transition. Our team of experts is here to assist you through the process, beginning to end. For more information on how ONIT can make your day to day life easier and safer, visit us online or give us a call today at 1-833-433-0331.
With ONIT, if you buy a water system, we’ll give you a $2,000 security system for only $1,000. That way, you can protect your family from contaminated water and protect them with a safe home. Additionally, we’re offering a free security and water system for free with the purchase of a solar system. Our customers get $1500 in vouchers to be used with security, water, and solar. Take advantage of this great offer today by calling us at 1-833-433-0331.