So you've decided you want to upgrade your Smart Home, but where do you start?

So you’ve decided you want to upgrade your Smart Home, but where do you start?

Smart home technology encompasses a wide range of gadgets, devices, and home appliances that are equipped with wireless connectivity. These devices can communicate with each other, a smart bridge, or a mobile phone app when connected to the home Wi-Fi internet network. With smart home technology, you can effortlessly control these devices from anywhere using a connected smartphone or mobile app.

Smart home technology offers numerous benefits, including convenience, increased security, energy efficiency, and customization. It allows you to control various aspects of your home, such as lighting, temperature, and security systems, with ease. You can program your devices on a schedule or have them automatically adjust settings based on your preferences. Smart homes can also help reduce energy consumption and save costs by allowing you to monitor and control energy usage.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Compatibility between different smart home devices can be a challenge, requiring careful research and selection of compatible systems. Privacy concerns may arise due to the collection of data by smart home devices. It’s important to understand how your data is being used and take appropriate measures to protect your privacy. Additionally, the cost of repairs or replacements for smart home devices can be higher compared to traditional counterparts. Drawbacks may vary depending on individual needs and preferences. Please see our article “Considering a Smart Home? Here are some Pros and Cons!”.

Here is our recommended order of Smart Home upgrades:

Smart light switches
- Convenience: Smart light switches can be controlled at any time and from anywhere, as long as there is a WiFi connection. You can turn lights on or off remotely, even when you’re away from home. Some smart switches also offer voice-enabled control through devices like Google Home, Siri or Amazon Echo’s.
- Ambiance: Smart switches allow you to adjust lighting based on your activity or mood. For example, you can program the switch to gradually increase the brightness of lights during your morning routine and dim them at bedtime.
- Energy Efficiency: Smart light switches can help save energy by allowing you to schedule lights to turn off when not in use or adjust brightness levels. This can lead to cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
- Increased Security: With remote control capabilities, you can turn lights on remotely to create an impression that someone is home, enhancing security. Some smart switches also integrate with other smart home devices, such as security systems, for added convenience and peace of mind.

Smart window coverings
- Convenience: Smart blinds can be controlled at any time and from anywhere, as long as there is a WiFi connection. You can open or close them remotely, even when you’re away from home. Some smart blinds also offer voice-enabled control through devices like Google Home, Siri, or Amazon Echo.
- Energy Efficiency: Smart blinds can help save energy by allowing you to schedule them to open or close based on the time of day or the amount of sunlight. This can reduce heat gain during hot weather and heat loss during cold weather, leading to potential cost savings on heating and cooling bills.
- Privacy and Security: With smart blinds, you can easily adjust the level of privacy in your home by controlling the amount of light that enters through your windows. When you’re away, you can program your blinds to open and close at different times to create the illusion that someone is home, enhancing security.
- Protection for Furniture and Flooring: Smart blinds can help protect your furniture, flooring, and other belongings from harmful UV rays by automatically adjusting their position based on the intensity of sunlight. This can prevent fading and damage caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Smart locks
- Convenience: Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely through your smartphone or a central hub, providing convenient keyless entry to your home.
- Activity Monitoring: With a smart lock, you can receive notifications whenever someone checks in or leaves your home, allowing you to monitor who’s coming and going.
- Eliminate Hideaway Keys: Smart locks eliminate the need for hiding spare keys outside, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Integration with Home Automation: Smart locks can integrate with other smart home devices, such as security systems and lighting, allowing for seamless automation and control.

Smart speakers
- Convenience: Smart speakers allow you to control various functions within your home and provide convenience to every task. From playing your favorite tunes without scrolling through apps or record racks, to controlling other smart devices like thermostats and lightbulbs, smart speakers make life so much more convenient.
- Enhanced Listening Experience: Smart speakers not only enhance your listening experience but also offer multi-room audio capabilities. If you have multiple smart speakers, you can play music all over your house without the need for separate cables.
- Voice Control: With smart speakers, you can ask questions, set reminders, and get information using just your voice. They provide hands-free control and can be integrated with virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant, or Apple’s Siri.
- Home Automation Integration: Smart speakers can connect to other smart home devices, allowing for customized control of your home environment. You can create routines and automate tasks such as turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat with a simple voice command.
- Accessibility: Smart speakers are designed to be user-friendly and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. They can assist individuals with mobility issues or those who prefer a hands-free approach to control their home.

Smart sensors
- Safety: Smart sensors can provide critical information about the state of your home. From water leaks, to non-sanctioned entries, sensors can provide real-time alerts, whether you’re home or not.
- Home Automation Integration: Smart sensors can connect to other smart home devices, allowing for customized control of your home environment. You can create routines and automate tasks such as turning off lights or adjusting the thermostat based on smart sensor information.

Smart appliances
- Convenience: Smart appliances offer a range of features that make your life easier. You can control them remotely using your smartphone or voice commands, allowing you to manage your appliances from anywhere.
- Energy Efficiency: Smart appliances are designed to be energy-efficient, helping you reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills. They often come with features like energy usage monitoring and scheduling, allowing you to optimize their operation for maximum efficiency.
- Enhanced Functionality: Smart appliances often come with advanced features and capabilities that traditional appliances lack. For example, smart refrigerators can help you keep track of food inventory, suggest recipes based on available ingredients, and even place grocery orders. Smart ovens can be preheated remotely, while smart washing machines can automatically adjust their settings based on the load size and fabric type.
- Improved Safety and Security: Many smart appliances offer safety features such as automatic shut-off and notifications for potential issues like leaks or malfunctions. They can also integrate with home security systems, providing an additional layer of protection for your home.
- Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics: Smart appliances can provide real-time updates on their status, allowing you to monitor their operation and receive alerts for maintenance or repair needs. Some appliances can even perform self-diagnostics and notify you when service is required.