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If you’re debating the benefits of upgrading your abode with smart home technology, you might wonder where to begin. If I were to start over, here are the essential devices I would install first, as they will have the biggest impact for the least outlay.
1Smart Lighting
Indoor and outdoor lighting is a great place to begin your smart home tech journey. Lighting, in its various forms, is something that’s required throughout the home, and there is an abundance of light fixtures and control methods on the market. In addition, since most homes already have the lighting infrastructure in place, making a few small changes and strategic additions might be all it takes to fully automate the system.
A versatile option for the beginner isPhilips Hue. Philips has created a whole ecosystem of lighting options from single bulbs that replace your existing ones and connect to a central hub, individual fixtures, wall sconces, and table and floor lamps. You can control the lights using your smartphone or a voice assistant like Google Home or Alexa, allowing you to adjust the brightness and color of the bulb and to automate lighting schedules in different parts of the home.
2Smart Security Systems
The next obvious step to creating a smart home is the addition of a smart security system. Popular choices such asRing or Google’s Nest systemincorporate door locks, gate and doorbells, alarms, cameras, and even smoke and CO2 detectors. However, these can be expensive to purchase and setup, often requiring a voice assistant hub and a paid monthly subscription.
A cheaper and easier option for those just getting started in the market isSimpliSafe. The starter pack includes a base station, a wireless keypad, door contacts, motion sensors, and a panic button, which are all easy to install yourself. You can also add additional devices to the system, such as touchscreen panels, smart garage and door locks, and door and gate cameras. The best thing about the security system is that it doesn’t rely on cloud services or a monthly subscription to remotely monitor, arm, or disarm the system.
you may alsouse Roku for smart home security, even though the brand is more well-known for its streaming devices.
3Smart HVAC
Another indispensable use for smart technology is controlling your home’s heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. If you have a furnace or an air conditioning unit, these can both be conveniently controlled by a smart thermostat.
The high-end models, such as Google Nest or Ecobee, also have intuitive digital displays and air quality, humidity, and smoke sensors. They can detect when you are at home and adjust the settings accordingly. However, these devices don’t come cheap and may require a subscription to unlock all their features.
A good alternative that requires little in the way of installation and setup is theHoneywell Lyric T6. It’s easy to install and works remotely through an app on your smartphone, which allows you to remotely monitor temperatures around your home and set up daily schedules. you’re able to also have it keep track of your location and turn on the heating or cooling when you are on the way home.
4Smart Entertainment
Once you have the essentials in place, no smart home would be complete without some form of entertainment device. If music is your thing, then a set ofWi-Fi speakers will allow you to play music from your phoneor a hub anywhere in the house. You can also connect the speakers to your living room or bedroom TV for a surround sound experience, or have them linked to your smart doorbell for communicating with visitors.
If you want to max out your smart entertainment options, then a media server, like the one offered byPlex, will provide storage for your library of films, TV shows, photos, and music. You can then access your content from your home and stream it to any of your connected devices, TVs, or speakers.
By focusing on the essentials of smart home technology, you can build out the backbone of each system without spending a fortune. This gives you a solid foundation to build upon, allowing you to add to each system as your finances and needs permit.
