Home automation is among the hottest topics in technology. People are looking at home automation to make their homes more efficient and secure. And of course, device manufacturers are coming up with new devices as quickly as distributors and retailers can sell them. So, what is the best device for starting the home automation journey?
That depends on your perspective. It might also depend on your technical ability as some devices are easier to set up than others. And as you might expect, some devices offer more functionality as well.
Vivint Smart Home, a nationally known provider of smart home and home security equipment, says there are literally dozens of devices those new to the home automation game could start with. In a post written to address Georgia customers, the company mentioned a variety of smart home devices ranging from thermostats to garage door controllers.
Smart Speakers
Vivint’s Georgia post mentioned smart speakers. It turns out that smart speakers are the starting point for a lot of consumers. They have become so ubiquitous that it is getting harder to find homes without one. What most people do not know is the full potential their smart speakers possess.
For the record, a smart speaker is a device like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. It responds to your verbal commands. Want to know the weather? Just tell your device to give you the local forecast. It could give you the latest sports scores, the news headlines, or an unlimited number of facts on just about any topic.
Did you know that most smart speakers can act as smart home hubs as well? Imagine issuing a command to turn the lights on in the dining room. It is very possible with any of the leading smart speakers and a wireless lighting socket.
Video Doorbells
Some consumers are not into the whole smart speaker thing. That’s perfectly fine. Another good device to start with is the video doorbell. Video doorbells are all the rage now.
The beauty of this technology is its simplicity. Most of your leading models do not require any heavy-duty construction to install. They come with companion mobile apps as well, so there is no complicated configuration required. Just screw or stick the doorbell in place, bring up the app, and pair it with your wi-fi router.
Video doorbells allow you to see anyone standing at your door without having to open it. The smartphone app allows you to communicate over a built-in audio system. And because you can operate it remotely, you can monitor the door even when you are a thousand miles away.
Smart Thermostats
Another device mentioned in Vivint’s Georgia post is the smart thermostat. Before going any further, it must be made clear that a smart thermostat is not just a programmable thermostat. This is important because programmable thermostats have been around for decades.
A smart thermostat is different in a couple of ways. First, it can be accessed remotely using a companion mobile app. Even if you forget to adjust the programming before leaving for vacation, you can do so remotely. Imagine that. Adjusting the thermostat from the beach in Cancun is as easy as sending a text message.
A smart thermostat is also capable of monitoring activities in your home. Why does this matter? Because monitoring allows the thermostat to ‘learn’ your normal behaviors for self-adjusting. A self-adjusting thermostat can maximize efficiency by controlling when your house is heated and cooled.
Automated Lighting
If you want something even simpler still, consider automated lighting. You can buy smart sockets for next to nothing. What is a smart socket? It is the socket that is placed between your regular socket and the light bulb. Unscrew the light bulb, screw in the smart socket, and screw the bulb into it. You can now control it with a smart speaker or phone app.
A phone app gives you the freedom to turn lights on and off with the swipe of a finger. Don’t want to enter a dark house at the end of an evening out? Then turn your lights on from the driveway. You are good to go. As you’re climbing into bed, swipe again and the lights go off.
The wonderful thing about smart light sockets is that they can be programmed as well. So once you’ve learned a little bit more about smart home technology, you can invest in a central hub that expands programming opportunities. You can program your lights to go on and off based on your needs and lifestyle.
Wireless Video Cameras
Video cameras are frequently associated with home security. Yet some people start the journey into home automation with just one or two cameras. They are not looking to arm the entire house with home security, but they do want to keep an eye on the babysitter or keep track of the kids after they get home from school. One or two cameras will do the trick.
Like just about every other home automation device these days, individual video cameras come with companion apps. The apps are what let you monitor video feeds remotely. So again, imagine wanting to keep an eye on the babysitter. You could place a video camera in the room they use most during the day. Use your phone to bring up a live video feed whenever you want to check in on them.
Video cameras that keep an eye on the kids are equally helpful. But they offer a bonus. Not only do video cameras let you keep track of the kids when you are not home, but they also let the kids know you are watching over them. They will be more comfortable knowing that you are just a video feed away.
The home automation field is vast enough to give you a full range of choices for getting started. But here’s a warning: it is hard to stop once you get started. Home automation is just that good.