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Home automation – A beginner’s guide

Smart Home - A begginner's guide to home automation

A good Home Automation guide.

From a very expensive trend to a much more affordable home improvement, home automation went from what was thought as a passing trend to a world phenomena.

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Even if home automation as become a mainstream technology, there still a lot of confusion and apprehension about it. People don’t know what exactly is a Smart Home and what Home Automation is all about. Also, it’s seems that a lot of people don’t know where to start and how hard or easy it is.
Some other think that home automation devices are only gadget that have no purpose other then make people lazy.

I am here to shed a little light on home automation and provide you some form of home automation guide, what are the objectives of home automation and how to begin using Smart Home technology. There will be some suggestion of easy to use smart home device to start you on the right path.

Smart Home and Home Automation

What is a smart home?
According to Wikipedia, it is a home that uses Internet of Thing to automate and monitor your house systems. IBM defines SMART as Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. Smart home or smart house is only the application of Home Automation technology to your house.

So, what is home automation?
It’s the application of technologies that will control and monitor some or all of your house’s systems. This automation has some very good benefits, namely:

  • Energy efficiency;
  • Money saving;
  • Safety; and
  • Security.

Nowadays, Home automation (Smart home) devices can be controlled and monitored from afar using your smartphone and/or a computer and even through your favorite Voice controlled assistant, Alexa, Google, Siri or Cortana.
These IoT devices use certain communication protocols, such as Z-Wave, ZigBee and Wif, to communicate among themselves and create an home automation network.

Home Automation How to Guide.

Where should I start?
That has to be THE question that I get the most.
Why? Because a lot of person would like to gain the benefits from home automation, but are either unaware of the processes involved or how it works. If you add to that the numerous solutions and devices out there, people can feel overwhelmed at the idea. But don’t be afraid anymore, stop being confused.

There is a simple process, explained in this home automation guide, that you can apply here that will help you out. Actually, the same type of process can be applied to any technology you want to buy. In the end, you will end up with

1. Understand the concept of home automation

The first step, of this home automation guide, is always the same, understand what you are dealing with.
By understanding the fundamental of how home automation works, you will be a step further in deciding what you can control. You also need to realize and accept that there are some tools and smart devices or integrated solution that requires a higher technology savvyness to install and operate.
Don’t despair! There are devices and tool available for everyone! The industry is well aware that not everyone is a tech genius and they have created solution for all technology savvyness level.

2. Budget

Although Home automation and smart home devices have become much more affordable in the last decades, it’s still can be an expensive technology to install in your home. As such, you need to set a budget before you start on deciding what you want to buy. It is easy to fall into a spending spree and find yourself struggling at stopping it.
If you set yourself a budget you can select before buying all the items that will fit in that budget.

3. Identify your Needs

We are all unique and different. We don’t have the same priorities or need and that also applies to home automation.
It is possible that the smart device your friend has just bought is a life changer for him, but for you, its a un necessary gadget. You need to identify what you really need that would fit your lifestyle and location.
As an example, I have a friend who is often away from home, a smart doorbell is excellent for him because he can identify who’s ringing and answer from a distance and act as if he is home, but that wouldn’t be useful if he lived into an apartment building since he has no control on the doorbell.

4. Do your Due Diligence

Before you ever buy anything for your smart home, you need to do some research. Start with the product website to understand the capabilities of the device, but research doesn’t stop there. You also should read independent reviews, customer comments and opinions. All this information will help you get the big picture of the smart device or home automation tool and if it’s a good match for you.

A beginner’s Home Automation Guide to Smart Devices

 

Although there’s a plethora of device on the market, some of them are designed as stand alone solution that are easy to install and easy to use.
Here is a choice of devices that can be used straight out of the box, or almost. They come with there own special mobile apps to control them, as such you do not need a home automation brain or server.

Smart Thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat for Home Automation
Nest Learning Thermostat for Home Automation

These smart devices are probably the most useful energy saving smart device. Environmental control of a house (hot and cold) are probably one of the highest spend on your energy budget.

A smart thermostat such as the Nest Learning thermostat or Ecobee will help you reduce your energy footprint. Due to it’s connection to your Wifi, it can be controlled when you are away directly from your mobile or tablet. Also, additional functionality allows it to know when you are out of the house, to learn your favorite temperature and your schedule to lower or increase the temperature to conserve energy while keeping you confortable.
NESTHome automation - A beginner's guide as since integrate several other functionality to the thermostat to control other devices automatically, such as lighting, to help you conserve even more energy

Smart Bulbs

Philip Hue Starting kit for home automation
Philip Hue Starting kit for home automation

The easiest and cheapest way to start home automation.
You have forgotten to close the lights when you went out? No problem! With a simple touch from your finger and TADAM! The lights are closed.
The Philips HUEHome automation - A beginner's guide system is one of the best and most popular on the market. It is easy to use, install and expand thanks to it’s bridge and to additional components such as dimmers and motion sensors.
Obviously, it works with your favorite assistant! Alexa, Google and Siri, through Homekit are all capable of closing your lights now.

You could also opt for Smart Switches instead of smart bulbs.

Smart Plugs and Smart Outlets

Wemo smart plug for home automation
Wemo smart plug for home automation

Another cheap and easy to use smart device, they allow you to turn pretty much any appliance or electronic into smart devices.
You simply need to plug the appliance or electronic in the smart outlet and you will be able to power it on or off through the App.
With the Belkin Wemo, not only can you power on or off your device, but you can also create a schedule, let say for a fresh coffee in the morning. Another good feature of that Belkin outlet is the “Away Mode” which make your home appear occupied even when you are not there.

Smart Door locks

 
Schlage Door Lock for home automation
Schlage Door Lock for home automation

A real new buzz in home automation, the smart lock is an investment into your family’s security.
Smart lock such as Schlage Smart Lock or Nest x Yale  not only give you the power to lock and unlock the door from afar but it will also let you create virtual keys, temporary or permanent, to trusted persons such as your family and friends. These virtual keys will give them the opportunity to enter your house without you needing to give them physical keys.

Most of these lock will also record the key to who enters your house. As such, you know when if your kids are safely home.

Smart Doorbells

Ring DoorBell for home automation
Ring DoorBell for home automation

Although some models are only a camera that let you see who’s at your door, other such as Ring Smart doorbell and Nest Hello, models also include motion sensing, “night vision”, two-way audio, picture and recording.

A potential idea is to have a older Smartphone mounted beside your door with the Ring app installed. As such, anyone in your household could use it to see who’s at the door.

 

Now, it’s your turn

Now that you have read this Home Automation guide, you are now ready to start transforming your home into a smart house! However, keep in mind that you need to stick to your plan. There are so many devices, so many options, so many ways to automate your home that you can be easily carried away and end up with device you have no need for or even worse, that you can’t use!

The best advice I can give you, is get informed, do your research and start slowly. Start with 1 or 2 devices from the list above and see how it goes.

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