5 Must-Know Tips for Automating Your Home

Are you sick and tired of performing tedious tasks throughout your home? Do you want to learn more about how to unlock the benefits of a smarter home? Are you wondering what tasks your home can perform on its own (with the right tech in place)?

If so, then you’ll want to learn more about automating your home. It will help you perform tasks like changing the room temperature by either voicing a command or pressing a button.

See below for several tips for automating your home. This smart home guide can help you better understand the process of making a smarter home for you and your family.

Here are the 5 tips for automating your home

1. Integrate It in Your Lights

Those of you reading this will little knowledge of what a smart home is are probably wondering what features of your home can actually be automated? What’s in the realm of possibility? The answers might surprise you.

One of the handiest features is automating all of the lights in your house. You’re probably familiar with the catchy jingle of the clapper from back in the day: “clap on, clap off”. The same principle applies here!

You can install dimmers in your home and then control the amount of lighting at any time of the day. Better yet, you can control when they aren’t on to lower your energy bill.

For example, if you want the house lights on when you get home at night, then you can turn them on via your smartphone. That way, you can turn them on after you leave for work or are pulling into your driveway.

2. Take Advantage of Your Amazon Echo

Many people love using their Amazon Echo, a.k.a. “Alexa”, to turn on their favorite radio stations for music. However, Alexa’s capabilities are much more vast than simply turning music on and off.

Alexa is compatible with several different brands you use for your lights, entertainment system, thermostat for your HVAC system, remote-controlled blinds, and so much more.

If you factor this into your smart home as you shop around for different products, then you’ll be able to control each feature by voice command. It will be as easy as saying “Alexa, set the temperature to 72”. How cool is that?

Be sure to consider both the full-fledged Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot. The Dot is generally $130 lower, lightweight, and allows you to move it around the house.

Start by thinking through all the different features that you want to incorporate into your smart home. From there, consider whether or not you’d benefit from having a voice command feature on them.

Luckily, the Amazon Echo can easily sync to most major brand smart home devices. It won’t be hard to shop around for features that are Alexa-compatible.

3. Only Install Smart Home Features You’ll Use

With so many different capabilities in your smart home, it can be easy to get carried away. In fact, many smart home users spend an unnecessary amount on their smart homes on features they’ll never use.

For that reason, many people think that investing in a smart home is outside of their budget. On the contrary, it’s one of the most budget-friendly projects you can do for your home.

There are many products to choose from such as smart TVs, smart lights, smart thermostats, smart speakers, smart kitchen appliances, and even smart dishes. But what’s the point of spending money on something you’ll never use?

Take the time to sit down and have an honest discussion with your family about the features you’ll use. That way, you’ll get as high a return on your investment as possible!

4. Consider Security

Of course, installing a smart home isn’t purely about saving time on things like turning on the lights and adjusting the room temperature. It’s also about how you can better protect your family.

For example, you can install several different monitors inside and outside your home. It will help you keep an eye on your kids and pets as well as deter any burglaries in your house.

You can also include smart home features such as a Ring Doorbell, smart lighting on your porch, and a smart alarm system to ensure security. This will give you peace of mind any time that you’re away from your home, no matter how long that might be.

5. Use Smart Switches to Your Benefit

You might find that there are some items of your home that aren’t compatible with the smart home you install. Unless you’ve got the money to replace things like your TVs and kitchen appliances in one fell swoop, you’ll need to make other plans.

Fortunately, smart switches can help you regulate the usage of any electronic feature in your home. Even if your TV is ten years old, the smart switch still allows you to control when it’s on and off.

You can use smart switches for things like your coffee maker, TV, radio, waste disposal unit, bathroom fans, and much more. If you ever forget to turn something off before walking out the door, you can do so via your smartphone while you’re away.

Automating Your Home Has Never Been Easier

Now that you’ve seen several tips for automating your home, it’s time to think through all the features you want to incorporate.

Remember, you can always add more and more features to it as you go along. The setup is simple and you’ll be enjoying a smarter home in no time!

Be sure to browse our website for more articles on smart homes, as well as many other helpful topics.