Home automation is the latest trend. Everyone wants to automate their home by using smart home tools. However, many people give up the idea because of the lofty prices.
But now, you can easily buy most of the smart home tools. All you need to do is set a budget and look for affordable, intelligent devices.
The next question, then, is connectivity. How does all of this happen in your home? It is all done through the use of a number of connected devices. Remember, the key to home automation is that you can incorporate as many or as few of these technologies into your home as you would like to, and there is no need to use them all unless you desire to do so.
Each device can work on its own to provide specific benefits. Many of them will link together to provide you with more opportunity for control. Take a look at these popular options and how they can work for you.
Smart Assistants
Smart assistants are some of the easiest first steps into home automation you can find. You can purchase the device, implement it into your home, and use it for whatever tasks you decide to link to it. Smart assistants are voice-controlled. You can ask them questions, tell them to do things, or set specific timers for various actions.
There are a number of smart assistants today. The most commonly used and most widely available are these three:
Alexa
Amazon Alexa is one of the most widely known of all of the smart assistants, mainly because of the heavy push from the e-commerce company to get it into the hands of the consumer. Alexia offers a great deal of support for users, including allowing you to play music from various apps. It can provide you with access to home entertainment through the Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. There’s also Fire TV Edition. You can also use Alexa to place orders on Amazon, to schedule shipments, manage to-do accounts, and create other types of reminders.
Another key advantage is that Alexa works with numerous other smart home devices, which makes it one of the easily options for those who want to link multiple systems to each other. At the time of this writing, Alexa connects with:
- Amazon-branded products including the Echo, Echo Show, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, and Echo Auto
- Smart thermostat including the Ecobee4
- Ring devices including Ring Doorbells
- Security cameras of numerous types, including the Logitech Circle models, ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, and others.
Google Home
Google has also worked to provide more opportunities for smart home automation. Though the Google Home voice assistant is not as well known as Alexa, it has a lot of powerful tools and devices that make it just as easy and as useful to use. For entertainment, users can also use Google Chromecast Ultra, and the standard model to watch TV with 4k resolution. Here are some examples:
- Google-branded smart home tools including the Google Home Hub, Google Home Mini, and Google Home Max
- It works with all devices that link to Samsung SmartThings (including TVs and appliances)
- Nest Learning devices, which includes smart cameras and thermostats
- Honeywell Home thermostats
- Philips Hue light bulbs
- Smart lock systems including August
Siri
Perhaps a bit later to the party than other systems, Apple’s Siri voice assistant is making its way into more smart home applications than ever. What makes Siri so interesting is that it was one of the first choices for communicating with your smartphone using voice commands. Now, the technology is moving heavily into the smart home market.
To control your home using Siri, you need to set up Home Kit. This allows it to control any Apple devices using your mobile phone. With that, you may be able to accomplish a wide range of tasks you desire when you purchase Home Kit-recognized products. This may include:
- Ecobee smart thermostats
- Belkin WeMo for electric outlet management
- Security cameras including those from Omna
- August Smart Locks
- Apple HomePod, which connects other smart home gadgets
Security Systems
Home automation goes beyond just voice commands, though. You can use it to accomplish much more within your home, especially in the area of home security. Home automation allows you to monitor all areas of your home for security. A key feature of this may be professional monitoring services. In many systems, you are able to log into the system from any location using your app and see real-time views of what’s happening.
Security Cameras
Security cameras, both indoors and outdoors, provide the hallmark of support for security benefits. These can include features that help them to be more useful to you, such as the inclusion of motion sensors and two-way audio. You can use them to automatically send you a notification whenever someone walks into their view.
Doorbell Cameras
Doorbell cameras have become increasingly important for homeowners who may not always want to answer to the door, but also because they can help record what’s happening when a package is dropped off. You can also use them to communicate with someone outside of your door even if you are not at home to do so.
Smart Locks
Smart locks are very simple to use both to ensure your home remains safe and to help minimize access to your home. Some work with passcodes while others allow you to lock and unlock doors to allow access remotely. Some of the most advanced can pick up on your key fob and unlock the door for you when you approach it, giving you the ability to get into the home without having to fumble with keys.
Sensors
Sensors typically provide key information to you. They can tell you when lights turn on, windows are opened, doors are opened, or when glass breaks. Some sensors can also provide motion sensing for outdoors. Others are designed to let you know if you left the garage door open.
Smart Lights
Smart lights can work both through programming as well as reacting to outside light levels, turning on and off while maximizing energy use. These lights can be an excellent way to improve security when they have motion sensors.
Thermostats
As noted, thermostats can help you to save a significant amount of money on your energy bills. These smart thermostats can even learn your habits, adjusting to better meet your needs without needing a lot of programming. On the other hand, if you are coming home in the middle of the day unexpectedly, they let you log in and make changes as you would like to.
