We live in the amazing age of technology that allows us to create an automated smart home. A smart home is the newest trend in home automation. It was an idea that science fiction writers and shows like The Jetsons could only dream about forty years ago. Now we are living in the future where we can control our thermostats and lights with just the sound of our voice.
While creating a smart home can seem intimidating with all of this new technology, it boils down to one thing – it all connects to your WiFi network. To begin your smart home journey, there are a few things you should know and accessories to purchase. Before you know it, you’ll have a completely automated home you can’t imagine living without.
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Why Create a Smart Home?
Nobody likes to feel like they are living behind the times. People want the newest and best thing on the market. Just look at the lines at the Apple store when the newest iPhone is released. Creating a smart home not only gives you convenience in your every day life, but it can also help you lower your utility costs and help you create a safer home for you and your family.
Finding the Right Smart Home Assistant for You
There are a few smart home assistant brands on the market right now. Each of them has its pros and cons, but overall are a great starting point to creating your smart home.
Amazon Alexa – Amazon’s smart home assistant is named Alexa. She is an affordable speaker that you control with your voice by simply saying “Alexa.” It also comes with an app on your phone to help you personalize your Alexa experience easily. Amazon’s assistant connects with multiple apps including Uber and even allows you to order a pizza hands free with just your voice.
Google Home – Google also created a smart home assistant called the Google Home. It’s very similar to Amazon’s system, except with a different hardware system. To wake up Google’s assistant, you simply say, “O.K. Google.” This system also connects with other speakers, such as Sony, and mobile apps.
Apple HomeKit – For those customers who are loyal to Apple products, you can purchase the Apple HomeKit. While it does not do everything that Amazon and Google’s assistants can, there is more privacy and encryption when it comes to Apple’s assistant.
Smart Light Bulbs
Once you have chosen your smart home assistant, it’s time to put it to work. The first thing people like to buy to create their smart home is smart light bulbs. These light bulbs can be turned on or off by simply commanding them to do so through your smart home assistant. You can also buy dimmable and colored light bulbs to set different moods.
Speakers
The smart home assistants also act as speakers, so you can simply say, “Play today’s hits,” and it will use a music service of your choice (i.e. Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.) to play those songs.
You don’t have to settle for the speaker that comes with the smart home device, though. Google and Amazon will connect to other speakers such as Sony and Sonos for better sound quality. You can also command all of the speakers to play at once or specific rooms. This is a great feature if you are having a party or simply cleaning the house on weekend.
Thermostat
What is worse than getting up from under a blanket to turn the thermostat up? With smart thermostats like Nest and Ecobee4, you don’t have to ever touch your thermostat again. It will automatically adjust the temperature when it knows people are home. This means that when nobody is home, it will lower the temperature, saving you money on your electric or gas bill.
Smart Doorbell
Ring is the most popular smart doorbell on the market. It has a camera on the doorbell and a speaker, so you can see who is at the front door right from your phone, even if you aren’t in the house. This adds another level of home security for you and your family.
Home Security Cameras
If you have pets or children who are home alone while you are at work or out running errands, consider installing smart security cameras in your home. These smart cameras will stream a live video feed right to your phone so you can check up on your pets or kids and make sure they are safe and not getting into any trouble.
Create Your Smart Home Today
Setting up your smart home is fairly easy. Simply choose the right smart home assistant for you and connect it to your WiFi network. Once connected, you can purchase different smart accessories such as light bulbs and thermostats to make your lifestyle more convenient and safer.
Remember, this is just the beginning of smart home automation. There is so much more to come within the next few years!
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, call 215-518-5193 or click here.
