In many cases, science fiction lives closer than we’d ever believe. The stories from writers of the 20th century have in many cases come scary close to true. For example, we can now enter our home, tap a button on the iPad and turn on the coffeemaker or the lights from across the room. You can also go on vacation to Hawaii and turn the thermostat up or down. Why not turn your apartment into a high-tech smart home that your guests will delight in visiting.
The 10 Best Tips on How to Make Your Home a Smart Home
Tip #1: Plan ahead of Time and Know in Advance What’s Needed
Before you make a major plan, first understand your personal desires and what you want. Proper planning prevents poor performance later. For example, understand if you want to control lighting or air conditioning from your smartphone or tablet.
You should also look at whether you want to integrate your security system into your smartphone. Maybe you want your smart home to include everything in the home theater setup. Understand these things in advance because you can talk to the installer with a mapped out plan of your future smart home and what it might cost.
Tip #2: Only Use Dependable Wi-Fi Routers
Owning a solid Wi-Fi connection can solve almost all the problems that crop up with wireless use in a home smart configuration. For example, a solid signal lets devices communicate with each other without suffering packet loss, which means when you tap the button on your iPad, the light turns on instantly.
Tip #3: Do Extra Work When Building from Extra
Spec your home out with fixtures and fittings that will stand the test of time. In addition to appealing to common sense, the home automation installer can do his job much better.
Tip #4: You Don’t Need the Best Smart Home Hub
Especially if you’re just getting started in the world of the smart home, perhaps you only want to get your feet wet to get started. Sometimes a cheaper system that does the basics of what you want can help you decide if you want to go deeper into this technology without having to splash an extra $400 to $600 to find out if you like it. For example, the Iris Smart Home only costs $64.95. Through this device, you can remotely control your thermostat, stream the live video and locks.
Tip #5: Work around the Rules
If you live in a dwelling like an apartment, you might be controlled by the strata or body corporate, and as a result, the restrictions around what you can do with your four walls and the ceiling could be more limited. You want to look at your strata rules to see how it might impact the installment of your smart home. If you must, submit applications where necessary.
Tip #6: Pick the Proper Appliances
As always, you have some brands that work better with smart home devices than others. The usual rule is to install a home controller that does the work. Your in-home products like lighting and air conditioning don’t actually have to be smart in and of themselves. For example, sometimes you’re better off using the old fashioned lighting, but you control it through the home automation system. Many times, you can save money this way because you didn’t have to pay extra, and it still worked, anyway.
Tip #7: Stay within a Brand
While it’s true that you don’t need to have all your entertainment devices within a single brand, the advantage is how you have a slight aesthetic benefit. The whole concept of the smart home is not only convenience but to make your home look snazzy. You might not need a Samsung TV with a Samsung Blu-ray player, but it makes your home look nicer. In addition, those devices might communicate better with each other because they have the same proprietary networking standards.
Tip #8: Speak with an Expert
With technology, we all like to think of ourselves as in the loop with technology, but this industry can grow fairly complex. For example, one of these homes will control the pool pumps, lighting, irrigation and the solar energy system. During the process, you will most likely want professional advice and guidance for at least the pool pumps and the energy system portion. You might also be better off hiring a professional for the wiring. Any work that involves 240-volt electricity can lead to death or serious injury.
Tip #9: Communicate with Your Installer
To eliminate confusion and costly mistakes, keep in contact with your installer throughout the process and make sure you have spoken about exactly what you want. Understanding what’s expected makes the process go smoother.
Tip #10: You Can Upgrade Remotely or in Person
Important to note, you can update your Sony or Samsung TV in person or remotely. Most likely, you will have to re-program your system if you have different infrared or IP control codes. Luckily, this is not a terribly difficult job because a good installer will handle this and integrate the home automation system well. Even if you do decide to upgrade, you can contact your technician, and most likely, they will update your smart home remotely.
Summing It Up
If you want to see luxury, check out the HGTV Smart Home. This product showcases the advancement of this technology and what’s possible. Nowadays, having one of these homes will set you apart from the herd of other boring homes.
Why have a home exactly like everyone else when technology lets you customize? Do you have a smart home? If so, what did you like about it, and what kind of experiences have you had with it? We’d love to have an active discussion in the comments below and share experiences to learn more about this wonderful technology from the future.
