Up to 70% of households in the U.S. own at least one smart home device. Even if you weren’t an early adopter of smart home tech, by now, you might already have some smart devices in your household. From the popular Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart speakers, smart lights to smart front door locks with a doorbell camera, smart tech is here to stay.
If you’re looking for a way to transform your home in ways that will make your life easier and more convenient, smart home technology is the way to go. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a complete smart home system. Lay the foundation with this smart home guide for beginners:
Smart Home Lighting
For most people, a smart home lighting system is the easiest entry point. You don’t need a central smart hub for this, and most systems available are compatible with other smart home devices. Add value to your home by investing in bulbs from reputable manufacturers such as Cree, TP-Link, LIFX, and even the newest Philips Hue bulbs. An added bonus is that investing in smart home solutions like these also save energy and electricity bills.
Smart Home Security System
When asked to select one smart home feature to add to their home, a smart home security system ranked first for most homeowners. Features that make a home safer are also attractive to home buyers. From a doorbell video camera that monitors your front porch and lets you interact with visitors via two-way audio to smart multiple-camera systems, you can easily keep an eye on your home and loved ones when you are away.
Smart Home Speakers
Smart speakers are perhaps the most popular and most convenient smart home device. Amazon Echo and the Google Home series of speakers are the market leaders and are compatible with most major smart home device manufacturers. With smart speakers, you can control your smart home features hands-free, including your smart lights, thermostat, and locks. You can play music, get weather updates, and perform other automated tasks.
Smart Home Thermostats
No other smart home device beats the comfort and energy savings of a smart home thermostat. Beyond just helping you create an automated heating and cooling schedule for your home based on your everyday lifestyle, a smart thermostat can detect when you’re home and away and adjust the HVAC system accordingly. With smart sensors, it can make your home more energy-efficient, make living spaces more comfortable, and save you money every year.
Smart Home Detectors
Conventional smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are hugely inconvenient. The alarms are loud, but if no one’s home to hear them, how do they really help? Smart home detection systems will not only sound an alarm, but will also send an alert to you on your smartphone whenever smoke or carbon dioxide is detected, or a security alarm is triggered by motion detection. You get to enjoy peace of mind and unparalleled convenience.
Smart Multi-Room Audio System
Entertainment has become a major part of our homes, especially when we’re all spending more time at home during the ongoing pandemic. A smart multi-room audio system makes it easy to control and stream music on your audio system from your own collection from any room. Systems like Sonos, Denom (HEOS), and Yamaha’s MusicCast can improve your music-listening and TV-watching experience at home.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re thinking of investing in smart home solutions, just make sure that most, if not all, of your smart devices can work with one of the most common smart home hubs and third-party controllers like Alexa. If you’re not sure, check with the manufacturer to verify which smart devices are compatible. This will maximize the value of your initial investment when it comes to upgrading or adding more smart home devices in the future.
