Home automation used to be limited to luxury homes, but smart devices are now affordable and accessible to every homeowner. Simple upgrades like programmable thermostats, smart lighting, and door locks can make daily life more comfortable, convenient, and secure without breaking the bank. With some strategic planning, you can create an automated home tailored to your family’s needs.
Start with Smart Lighting for Instant Ambiance Control
One of the easiest ways to dip your toes into home automation is with smart lighting. Light bulbs, switches, and plugs that connect to WiFi and Bluetooth allow remote and voice control from smartphones. Smart lighting offers ambiance and flexibility at your fingertips.
Smart Light Switches for Whole Room Control
Replacing regular light switches with smart switches enables easy whole-room lighting control through an app or voice assistant. Top brands like Lutron Caseta and Leviton Decora work with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and major hub systems like SmartThings and Wink.
Professional installation is recommended, especially if you have multiple switches per room. Electricians can ensure correct wiring so both physical switches and app/voice control work properly. Smart switches allow lighting control from bed, the couch, or out of town. They work with any bulb so you can mix and match.
Smart Bulbs for Color, Effects, and Automation
Smart bulbs from Philips Hue, Lifx, and other brands screw into standard fixtures but connect directly to WiFi. Control color, brightness, and effects like circadian rhythm lighting from your phone.
Drawbacks are smart bulbs stay illuminated when the physical switch is off, confusing guests. They also cannot be controlled remotely if WiFi goes down. Smart bulbs are more expensive than standard LEDs. Use them strategically in key accent lamps and overhead fixtures.
Smart Plugs for Small Appliances and Seasonal Lights
Affordable smart plugs can automate lamps, fans, holiday lights, and small appliances. Top brands like TP-Link Kasa, Wemo, and GE Cync plug into outlets. Your devices then plug into the smart plugs to gain app and voice control.
Smart plugs are perfect for seasonal use. Place outdoor landscape lighting and Christmas lights on smart plugs to easily turn them on each night and off at bedtime. No fumbling with timers. Some smart plugs monitor energy consumption too.
Motion Sensors Automate Lighting Needs
Pair motion sensors with smart bulbs or switches for hands-free lighting. Motion detecting light switches like Leviton or Philips Hue sensors can automatically turn lights on when needed in high traffic areas then off when empty.
Strategically place motion sensors in hallways, staircases, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and pantries. This removes the need to manually flip switches when your hands are full. It also ensures lights get turned off to save energy.
Adjust Home Temperature from Afar
Heating and cooling accounts for over half of a typical home’s energy use. Smart thermostats not only save energy but allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely using your smartphone.
Smart Thermostats Optimize Heating and Cooling
Today’s smart thermostats like Nest, Ecobee, and Emerson Sensi connect to home WiFi and the internet for app control. Easily make temperature adjustments from bed, the office, or out of town as needed. Voice control options through Alexa allow hands-free changes.
Smart thermostats learn your schedule and program themselves. Geofencing senses when you leave home, automatically going into energy saving away mode. When on vacation, easily override scheduled programming from the smartphone app.
Remote Sensors Provide Whole Home Comfort
For multi-level homes, add remote smart temperature sensors around the house and average the readings. This prevents hot or cold spots upstairs, downstairs, or in unused rooms.
Top smart thermostat companies sell their own proprietary remote sensors. Or use general options like the Nuheat Temperature Sensor or Takktile Sensor Stick that work with all major platforms. Even homes with single thermostats benefit from added sensors in rooms far from the control.
Smart Sensors Detect Threats
Affordable internet-connected sensors can alert you to danger before serious damage occurs. Get notifications when smoke/CO detectors go off, water leaks, windows/doors are accessed, or motion is detected inside.
Automate the Little Things for Help Around the House
Even small smart home devices can make daily routines easier. Look at where you lose time on routine tasks and how technology can help.
Smart Fans Adjust Automatically
New smart ceiling fans from Hunter, Big Ass Fans, Modern Forms, and more connect to WiFi to automate speed and direction. Adjust fans based on season using pre-set schedules.
Set them to run on low speed clockwise during summer days to keep air moving. Reverse direction at night to pull up hot air. Adjust speed automatically based on room temperature so you’re always comfortable.
Smart Outlets Move Beyond Lights
While lamps work well with smart plugs, also look for other convenient uses. Plug in appliances you use often like fans, space heaters, and humidifiers. Turn on/off and control settings from anywhere.
Use energy monitoring options to track usage and detect always-on devices that consume phantom load power. Being able to control the outlet remotely also makes resetting devices easier when needed.
Smart Blinds and Shades Filter Light
Automatically raise and lower shades based on the sun’s position throughout the day. Add smart blinds and shades from Lutron, PowerView, and Hunter Douglas to filter natural light just right in any season.
Integrate them with smart lights, temperature sensors, and security systems for total home control. Let blinds tilt open to welcome morning light then close tightly midday when sunlight is harshest during summer. Close curtains and turn on accent lighting to set a perfect movie night scene.
Smart Sprinkler Systems Conserve Water
Automatic sprinkler controllers like Rachio and RainMachine connect existing irrigation systems to WiFi. Watering time and frequency are automatically adjusted based on weather conditions and rainfall in your zip code.
Control sprinklers remotely and receive leak alerts. Integrate with smart home platforms so your system knows exactly when it rains and shuts off. Zone watering lets you customize schedules for shady versus sunny areas. Smart controllers prevent erosion and water waste.
Maximize Your Investment with Pro Tips
Upgrading to smart home technology is an investment in convenience and quality of life. Get the most out of your new automated environment with this expert advice:
Seek Professional Installation
While DIY is great for budget and hobbyists, consider hiring pros for installing devices that connect to electrical, lighting, and security systems. Mistakes made by amateur handymen can be dangerous.
Test New Devices Thoroughly
When adding multiple smart devices, start with just a couple like smart lights. Make sure connectivity and control works flawlessly before expanding your system. Frustration follows when too many gadgets are added too quickly.
Audit and Update your WiFi
Smart homes run on strong WiFi. Check your router’s age, range, bandwidth, and number of connected clients. Beef up your network equipment so it can handle 20+ simultaneous smart gadgets. Don’t let a weak router ruin your experience.
Enable Security Features
Take advantage of built-in security like automatic software updates, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. Use long, unique passwords. Routinely check for unauthorized access. Ask about insurance discounts for monitored safety systems.
Focus on the Essentials First
It’s easy to get sucked into buying the latest whiz bang gadgets. Resist and remain focused on automating necessities like lighting, temperature, appliance that benefit your household daily. Prioritize needs over wants.
Choose Flexible Platforms
Shop for devices that work across different brands and ecosystems for the most compatibility. Support for WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave provides the most integration options now and in the future.
Start Small, Then Expand
You don’t have to automate everything at once, even though it’s tempting! Begin with a few devices like smart lights, and thermostat. Get used to voice and app control. Once the key basics are covered, keep adding gadgets over time.
Enjoy Your Smarter, Convenient Home of the Future
Home automation makes daily routines easier, households more energy efficient, and properties more secure. Affordable components like smart lighting controls, thermostats, and door locks can simplify your life without remodeling or renovations. New devices arrive constantly, so start with the essentials and grow your smart home over time. The right mix of automation tailored to your family’s needs will make home the convenient, comfortable sanctuary it should be.
