What is Home Automation and Why Should I Get it?

What is home automation? You may know it’s popular, but that alone doesn’t help you understand it any better. 

Home automation uses something called the Internet of Things. In the first days of dial-up AOL service, we accessed the Internet through desktops. We can now access it through laptops and phones too.

The Internet of things expands that playing ground even more. It allows us to connect local area networks (LANs) to washing machines, coffee makers, and more. In turn, that allows us to place automation control systems on our smartphones.

Keep reading to find out more about how home automation devices work. 

Home Automation is Convenient and Secure

The Internet of Things helps devices talk to each other in ways they never could before. That makes life easier for you. 

Let’s say your sister wants to drop off a gift for your daughter, but your work schedules don’t quite line up. With home automation, you can say, “come by the house at 2 p.m. on your way to work.” 

Once she confirms that she’s going to do that, you can go to an app on your smartphone and unlock the door for her. You can also disarm any smart home security systems before she arrives. Doing that ensures police won’t show up at your house to find your sister holding a wrapped gift.

When your sister leaves, you can lock the door behind her and rearm the security system until you get home. 

Home Automation is Cheaper 

Automated systems might sound expensive. You will have to spend a little money to set up your home automation devices. But your system is going to start saving you money the minute it’s up and running. 

Here’s how: A lot of people don’t like coming home to a dark house, especially if they live alone. It can feel downright spooky in winter when the sun sets before you get off work. A lack of sunlight is depressing enough without adding a pitch-black house into the mix. 

An automating house lets you set a timer to turn on some lights 5 or 10 minutes before you usually get home every day. If you get home at 5:30 p.m., you can set the lights to activate at 5:20 p.m., for instance. 

You can help your seasonal blues, feel safer, and lower your electric bill at the same time. 

Home automation also works with your thermostat. What if you’re at work when you see a weather forecast calling for an extreme cold front? There’s no need to rush home at lunchtime and adjust your temperature settings. 

Instead, you can go to your phone’s smart thermostat app and adjust the settings from there. Coming home to a warm, well-lit home is much more relaxing than the alternative. 

What is Home Automation? 

You should now be able to give a basic answer to “What is home automation?” but there’s still so much more to learn about home automation devices.

Smart homes are changing and evolving every day as technology gets more advanced.

Interested in using home automation in outside spaces as well?  Check out our blog post on that topic. 

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3 Reasons Wireless Smoke Detectors are Better Than Hardwired

We have great news!

The fire death trend has been steadily decreasing since 2008. With improved safety measures and new technology, we’re putting a dent in the number of lives lost.

Regardless, 364,300 is a big number – and that’s how many estimated fires there was in 2016. Of those, 50.3 percent were a result of a cooking accident. About 10 percent goes to heating, and 6percent goes to both carelessness and electrical malfunctions.

How careful are you being in your daily life? What steps are you taking in your home to prevent becoming a part of the statistic?

Wireless smoke detectors are a great place to start. Here’s why.

1. You Can Install Them Now

Hardwired smoke detectors have their own advantages. But easy installation is not one of them. Hardwired means that the wires of the detector are interconnected to the electrical system in your home, and every other detector in it.

Most hardwired systems get put in place during original home construction. But wireless, or battery-operated detectors, can get installed anywhere, any time. And it’s not difficult, either.

Do you have a drill and some screws? Then you can install a wireless detector yourself. The application process is easy, straightforward, and quick.

And don’t skimp on the amount, either.

There should be at least one in every room and on every floor of the home. Don’t worry – home tech such as this increases your property value. Not only will your home be up to code, but its safety features will also be an attractive feature if you ever choose to sell.

2. They Run on Batteries

Taking wires out of the equation makes everything a lot simpler.

You won’t have to worry about burnt wires. This could affect your home’s entire electrical system. Faulty wiring is one of the many things that can contribute to home fires!

The detector will also continue to work despite any power outages.

A stand-alone, wireless detector involves easy maintenance. It’s safe and effective. As long as you set regular reminders to change the batteries, you’re good to go.

3. Wireless Smoke Detectors Save You Money

But not at the expense of your safety.

Simply put, wireless detectors are as effective as hardwired. But installing hardwires detectors is a laborious, time-consuming, and expensive process. Why put you and your home at risk if you don’t have the extra cash or time on hand?

Wireless detectors come with a transparent price tag. You buy them, install them, and you’re done. They can range from the lower end of around $20 and $30 to a little more advanced and pricey of about $100 or so.

Why pay labor fees when you can install them yourself for free?

Stay Safe in a Smart Home

Seventy-five percent of all civilian fire fatalities occur as a result of fires in residential buildings, such as our homes. And worse yet, the majority, 51 percent, occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. So while you’re sleeping, you need to know that something will be there to protect you.

Speaking of protection, do you feel confident in your home’s security system? If not, check out our article on what to expect from the best systems.

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How to Save Money on Utilities with Smart Home Tech

Smart home technology saves you time and hassle — but did you know it can also save you money?

It’s true. Home tech is a great way to lower your utility costs by making your home a lean, mean, efficiency machine. Sure, there’s an upfront investment, but as a general rule, home technology gadgets and devices will usually pay for themselves within a year.

If the convenience (and coolness) factor haven’t been enough to convince you to make your home smarter, maybe the idea of saving money will.

Here’s how to save money on utilities using smart home tech.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Chances are, a good chunk of your monthly utility bill goes towards heating or cooling your home. For the average US home, heating and cooling account for close to half of a home’s energy use.

Luckily, installing a smart thermostat can help cut the amount of energy you use to keep your house comfortable.

Let’s say you live in a hot climate. In the past, the option was to run (and pay to run) the AC all day while you were at work, or turn the AC way down and come home to a sticky, sweltering house.

Smart home tech solves this problem. Program your smart climate control system to begin heating or cooling at a specific, programmable time, allowing you to avoid heating or cooling a home when you’re not there.

Many smart thermostats can be operated from your mobile device, too — so if you’re stuck at the office late (again…), you can remotely change the time your AC kicks on.

A smart thermostat is decidedly one of the best home devices to install if saving money is your primary goal.

Operate Lights Remotely

Chances are you’ve already started switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, but you can save even more on your electricity costs with home tech.

Use smart home tech to operate your house lights remotely. If you’re traveling, this means you don’t need to leave lights on 24/7 while you’re gone. Instead, you can remotely turn them on and off as needed.

There are also devices that monitor rooms for movement. If the room remains unoccupied for a certain amount of time, the lights will automatically shut off (added bonus — one less thing you have to nag the kids about).

Try a Smart Power Strip

Some home electronics continue using a good amount of energy when left plugged in — even when they’re not in use. Game consoles are a prime example.

A smart power strip can help. Some are operated with a remote, others will automatically reduce power consumption when the console enters standby mode. This is a super easy way to cut back on energy costs.

Make Your Water Smarter

Cut back on costly water bills with home tech. Install an aerating showerhead — it can add air to the water stream to reduce the amount of water that your shower uses, without affecting performance or pressure.

A smart home sprinkler system is a good choice, too. Features of these slick irrigation systems can include real-time weather monitoring so your lawn doesn’t get watered in the rain.

Interested in Learning More About How to Save Money on Utilities?

This list is a brief overview of the many ways that a smart home can save you money.

If you’re in the Tampa area and want to know how to save money on utilities using home technology systems, we hope you’ll contact us for a free consultation. Our team of experts would love to talk to you about your home automation goals.

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How to Automate Your Home: A Buyer’s Guide

Have you ever wanted to live in the future? Congratulations! The future is already here. Your new robot servants are ready and willing to turn your home into an automated machine.

That automated machine can turn off your lights, control your speakers, turn up the air conditioning, and even answer questions. Almost 50 percent of homeowners say home automation saves them on average $1,100 per year.

But just because automation is here doesn’t mean it’s easy to use. There’s a reason Best Buy’s Geek Squad sees a gross profit margin of 40 to 50 percent. Getting started with home automation takes outside help.

That’s why today, we’re bringing you our buyers guide on how to automate your home.

Lights, Camera, Automation!

Home automation comes in many different flavors. You can control your lights, set up security cameras, control your thermostat, play music, and more. What’s more, each component can work separately or with an automation solution.

In this guide, we’re focusing on automation solutions that can control your entire home. Be it Apple, Google, or Samsung’s SmartThings, automation hubs organize your smart home.

Your Hub

Choosing your automation hub is the first step to starting your smart home automation journey. First, we need to look at the two main types of a hub.

Manufacturer Hub: Manufacturers sell their own hubs that work with their own products. These hubs only work with manufacturer branded smart devices. Examples include Phillips, Samsung’s Smartthings.

Third-Party Hub: Third-party hubs like Echo, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and HomePod are compatible with all kinds of smart devices. Hubs work through both voice and smartphone control.

Which hub you choose depends on your intentions. Those intending to stay in one company’s ecosystem can choose a manufacturer’s hub. However, we’d recommend a third-party hub, if only for variety’s sake.

Lights

Lights are the easiest way to start automating your home. They don’t take much setup but for those interested also have in-depth features. Some lights sync to a base station while others connect directly to your hub.

Once connected you can use your hub to turn lights on and off, dim them, set them on schedules, and even change their color. We recommend smart lights that connect to a third-party hub.

Music

Smart home automation and music go hand in hand. We recommend music systems like the Sonos. Sonos speakers connect with third-party hubs, offering whole-house music control.

If you want to save money while keeping your options open, some third-party hubs double as speakers. Google Home and Echo are low-cost music streaming speakers. If the need arises, both also support other companies’ speaker systems.

Climate Control

Climate control is one of our favorite home automation features. There’s something satisfying about using your phone to control your home’s temperature. For climate control, we recommend a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostats let third-party hubs control your heat and air-conditioning. You can even set timed routines to heat or cool your home. Though you should call a professional to install your smart thermostat.

Creating your Smart home

Understanding how to automate your home isn’t all that difficult. With the above guide, you can start building the smart home of your dreams. But you might need some guidance, and that’s where we can help.

If you’re ready to get started creating your own smart home, get in contact with us. Our team of experts can take your home automation fantasy and make it a reality. We specialize in whole-house automation solutions.

Don’t wait, get started with home automation today.

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6 Ways to Automate Your Outdoor Space: Smart Outdoor Lighting and More

There are so many smart outdoor devices that can blow your mind! Being able to control everything from the palm of your hand is a reminder of how far technology has come.

Home management systems give you power over your home’s security. They allow you to maintain the perfect climate in various rooms. Plus, if you are a busy parent, you can keep an eye on your children with cameras in common areas.

Moreover, automated home systems give you peace of mind when you’re on vacation. All you need to do is pick up your smart remote and confirm everything is okay. Also, these systems allow you to relax in one area while managing other areas.

Even so, most of the benefits we hear about tend to deal with the indoors. So, what smart tools are available for outdoor entertaining? Keep reading to find out.

Smart Outdoor Lighting and Other Outdoor Automation Tools

By 2022, consumers in North America will be spending a total of 63 billion dollars on smart devices. While the focus is usually inside the home, there are great devices for the outside as well. The key is to discover the best ones for your home.

Here are six ways to automate your outdoor space:

1. Smart Outdoor Lighting

Outside lighting not only helps with security but also beautifies your yard. You can light up the landscape and walkways. Smart lighting, however, will take things to a different level.

For example, a motion-sensor light bulb prevents criminals from sneaking to your door. It can also light up the driveway when your car is pulling up.

Another smart lighting option involves automated solar lights. These energy-efficient lights illuminate your yard when you activate them using your phone.

2. Motion-Activated Security Cameras

Are you tired of flipping through different cameras to see what’s going on outside? Well, now there’s no need to.

Current smart cameras have the ability to activate only when they detect motion. Thus, you’ll be viewing the relevant video rather than scanning outside yourself.

3. Smart Locks and Video Doorbells

Doorbells now come with a video camera. Every time someone presses it, you can view who is outside. If you are not too wary of privacy, you can use video apps to share security camera info with the neighbors. This ensures everyone is looking out for each other.

Smart locks will help you control access to your home using your smartphone. Other companies provide a ring you can wear, which links to your door via Bluetooth. These save you from carrying a bunch of keys.

4. Automated Gate Entry

An automated gate system makes home entry more convenient. It allows you to limit access to outsiders and surveil potential criminals at your gate. As a bonus, your home insurer will take into account your added security.

You’ll even get added aesthetic appeal with a custom gate. This is good for your home value. Such prestigious gates ensure your home maintains its privacy.

5. Smart Yard Care

Never get out of bed early again on a weekend. That’s because there are smart devices to care for your yard. At the press of a button, you can activate sprinklers to water the area.

Mowing will no longer be an issue either. Just switch on a smart mower and let it do the job.

6. Remote Pool System Control

Last, you can say goodbye to the days of waiting for your pool to heat up. All you need now is your smart device to activate everything before you go outside. This applies to your hot tub as well.

Learn More About Smart Home Design and Automation

With smart outdoor lighting and other devices, you can enhance your outdoor space. It will give you power over your lighting, security, yard, and swimming pool. Be on the lookout for other devices that can boost your yard as well.

Visit our blogs to learn more about smart home design and home automation.

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The Advantages of Home Automation

As technology advances, life becomes easier and easier. Automated technology, in particular, allows us to control just about everything in our lives without so much as taking a step.

However, despite the progression and efficacy of automated technology, many individuals still don’t use it. In most cases, this is because those individuals are not aware of how they can benefit from it.

Wondering how you can benefit? Here are the advantages of automation for your home.

Save Time

In today’s world, time is constantly at a premium. Because of this, we need to carry out our everyday tasks with as much efficiency as possible. What can help you to become more efficient, saving time throughout the day? Automation!

With automation, you can turn off your air conditioner from work, switch off your lights from the gym, and close your garage door from the park. This can help you to save hours upon hours of precious time.

Increase Convenience

At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than sitting down and relaxing. The only problem is, if you have to go by foot in order to tweak your home’s thermostat, or in order to disengage its security system, you aren’t afforded the opportunity to relax.

Fortunately, by simply automating your home, you will be able to control your thermostat and your security system from the comfort of your chair.

Promote Savings

While automating your home can be a little expensive in the short-term, in the long run, it can help you to save thousands upon thousands of dollars.

By being able to turn off your lights, your heat, or your air conditioner from a remote location, you can save tons of energy which is not being utilized for any useful purpose. And, obviously, energy savings equals cost savings.

Improve Safety

Maybe you’re afraid that you left the oven on? Perhaps you forgot to engage your home’s security system? In any case, your appliances have become a momentary danger to your home.

What can you do to avert this danger? You can utilize automation. By automating your oven, your security system, and your other appliances, you can turn them off from a remote location.

Optimize Control

Wouldn’t it be great to have almost complete control over your appliances at all times? Well, one of the primary benefits of home automation is optimized control.

By automating your home, you will be ever-aware of what is going on with its many appliances. Regardless of where you are in the world, you will be able to control the functionality of your estate.

Receive the Advantages of Home Automation

Want to save money? Want to improve safety? Want to get your hands on all of the advantages of automation? If so, we here at Hive are the people to see.

We can help you to automate almost every aspect of your home, from its heating and cooling capabilities to its entertainment, to its lighting, to its security system, and more.

Contact us today for a free consultation!

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Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Home Automation System

Everything is getting “smarter” these days. We have smart phones, smart cars, and now even smart houses.

Perhaps you have friends with a smart house system, or you have seen them on television and you are curious about them. We’ve put together this list to clear some things up.

Read on to learn more about what it’s like to own a home automation system!

Why Have a Home Automation System?

Despite just being “cool” and “keeping up with the Joneses,” are there legitimately good reasons to invest in smart house systems? We think so!

The first being a real sense of control over your home. With home automation, you can have access to most of the things that keep your house running with a touch of a button.

You can control your house’s temperature from your phone, change the color or intensity of the lights in an instant, even activate and deactivate certain appliances such as washers and dryers, ovens, even microwaves.

This level of involvement in the minute details of keeping your house running is unprecedented, but it can provide a great deal of comfort to those who would like a little more ownership over their technology and their homes.

The Different Kinds of Home Automation

This question isn’t as simple as “to automate or not to automate,” the real question is how will you automate?

There are many different smart house options available to you. The three main types being a power line, wired, and wireless.

A power line home automation system is the least expensive option as it utilizes existing powerlines to transfer information. A wired system connects all of your devices to a single control unit. Finally, a wireless system is similar to a wired one, only it uses wireless technology.

Which option will you choose for your set-up?

You Need Great Wi-Fi

For any smart house, but particular ones with wireless systems, you will need a strong Wi-Fi router. Great Wi-Fi is an essential element of great home automation.

You want every device in your home to be seamlessly connected as well as uninterrupted access to all of them from your phone. This requires a strong connection and a great router is the best way to achieve that.

Home Security

One of the most prevalent forms of home automation is home security. Many homes now have outdoor cameras and alarms that are connected to their phones through apps.

These devices and programs can be specialized for your specific security needs. Whether you are trying to ensure your children’s safety or simply protect your house from burglars, a home automation system in the form of home security could be what you need.

Voice Assistants

You are probably familiar with voice assistant programs in phones such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, or Microsoft’s Cortana. But did you know that these programs can be used in home automation as well?

Many of these companies provide devices that integrate these assistants into your home, allowing you to control your devices without lifting a finger.

Have Questions About Smart Homes?

Do you have a home automation system? Are you considering purchasing one? We would love to hear about it!

Feel free to contact us at any time with any questions you might have about home automation.

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Top Five Wireless Home Theater Systems of 2017

There’s nothing like that big, cinema sound.

The sort of sound that makes you feel like you’re right on the beach at Normandy or that a Star Destroyer is going right over your head.

Home theater systems allow you to recapture the movie theater experience in the comfort of your own home. But hiding all those wires can be a pain.

Luckily, there are a number of great wireless home theater systems that offer the same great performance without the hassle of wires.

Here are our top five picks.

1. Klipsch Stream

Klipsch is the name in high-end audio. So it’s no surprise that their Stream line is the best sounding wireless home theater system on the market.

The Klipsch Stream connects through your home’s wi-fi, which makes setting up a 5.1 system easy. You can add as many speakers as you want and stream your favorite music through your house.

2. Sony Blu Ray Home Theater

Sony is one of the most recognizable names in consumer electronics–and with good reason. Their products are top-of-the-line and reliable, without carrying a high price tag.

This all-in-one Blu Ray player and home theater system offers excellent HD picture with hi-fidelity sound.

You can also connect your smartphone via Bluetooth and browse all of your pictures and videos on the big screen.

3. Paradigm SHIFT

Paradigm is a relative newcomer to home theater. But their performance easily stands toe-to-toe with the more reputed brands.

Their SHIFT series features some of the best wireless powered speakers on the market. You can go for a classic 5.1 system, or mix and match speakers to create a custom soundfield of your own.

4. Bose Acoustimass 10

The name Bose is synonymous with high-performance audio. Their speakers and headphones are second to none.

Their Acoustimass 10 wireless home theater has a beautiful black finish, low profile, and the performance you’ve come to expect from Bose.

These speakers may be small, but they have been expertly engineered to give you a powerful sound. Get ready for a truly immersive audio experience!

5. Sonos Wireless Home Theater

Having excellent movie sound is great for watching movies. But what about those of us who love our music too?

Sonos has you covered!

Their wireless speakers offer you great sound for both movies and music.

Their Playbase system boasts the low profile of a soundbar with the performance of a high-end speaker system.

You can add a subwoofer and some Alexa-connected speakers to get a true 5.1 home theater system. And, you can control it all from your smartphone.

Bring the Theater Home

We all want to bring that big, booming cinema sound into our homes. And thanks to these wireless home theater systems, you can do just that.

Your house will sure to be the new hot spot for movie night or the big game.

But if you want to make your house even smarter, contact us today for a free consultation!

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Five Reasons Why You Need an Automated Home Management System

Ever since the 1999 Disney Channel Movie Smart House, people have been waiting to have the ability to integrate a home management system in their house.

The ability to control multiple functions inside your home from anywhere in the world seemed like a dream but the future is here. Today you can control everything from your lights to your oven while you are gone.

There are so many ways you can use a home management system to improve your quality of life. Keep reading to find out five reasons you should have one installed in your home.

1. Control With A Home Management System

Installing a security system in your home is only the first step in keeping your family protected. This system must be managed and maintained. But once installed, you will be able to have control over what happens in your home like never before.

2. Maintain the Perfect Climate

Many people like to change the temperature in their home at night to sleep more soundly. But when you wake up, it can be miserably cold, making it difficult for you to get out of bed for work.

That is why an automated system is a great choice. You can preprogram temperatures for various times of day, as well as adjust the temperature remotely. This allows you to use less energy when you are not home, while still coming home to a warm house. With the latest technology the thermostats have motion sensors in them allowing the to know what temperature to keep the house at depending on time of day and activity in the house.

3. Keep an Eye on Pets and Children

If you have teenagers then you know how nerve-wracking it can be to not know whether they have made it in the door. With security cameras, you will be able to monitor their comings and goings without having to get out of bed.

Some might think this is an invasion of privacy, but the cameras are in common areas and you are just taking the steps necessary to protect your child. If you are a busy parent, the benefit of this system is immense.

Your pets can also be monitored using security cameras. While you are at work during the day you can make sure they aren’t eating your shoes or ripping the stuffing out of your couch cushions.

4. Control Systems While on Vacation

If you install a home management system you will never need to give a neighbor a key to your home again. Things like feeding your plants, taking care of your pets, and bringing in the mail can be completed without you losing control of who has access to your home and when.

It is even possible to set times in advance for the home to allow entry. This can give you peace of mind about someone having unrestricted access to your belongings.

5. Relax at Home

If you grew up any time since 1965, then you have seen some version of The Clapper. Since its debut in Time magazine, sound-activated remote control has given people the ability to turn things on and off from a distance.

With a home automated system, this goes a step further. You won’t have to get up to change the lighting, sound, or temperature of the room you are in. The luxury of relaxation will be yours.

If you are interested in integrating a home management system, contact Hive for a consultation. We can even integrate the Nest or Ecobee that you may already be using.

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The Best Home Automation Ideas to Prepare for in 2018

Are you wondering about the future of home automation ideas?

Gone are the days of Nanny-cams hidden in teddy bears and having to manually switch the lights on. The future is now!

The role of smart devices and technology in our homes is increasing year-by-year.

In fact, many technology experts believe 2018 is the year in which complete home automation ideas become a reality.

At the center of these changes is the “Internet of Things (IoT)”, which seamlessly connects everything in your home together.

Imagine how streamlined your experience could be if your windows and even stove could be controlled by your phone. No more worrying whether you forgot to turn the stove off!

Instead, everything is connected to the internet and in the palm of your hand. Would you like to have all of your appliances communicating with each other? Each device receiving commands from you and sending you information.

Let’s take a look at some of the best home automation ideas that will take homeowners by storm in 2018.

Home Security and Safety Systems

One of the most obvious and useful home automation ideas is home security systems.

Alarms, cameras, and locks can make you feel a lot more secure in your own home.

You can now choose extremely covert cameras – so you can watch and record people who approach your home.

However, if you already feel safe with the bolts and locks in your home, then instead consider safety automation devices.

For Example, a Doorbird, doorbell station allows you to be notified when someone arrives at your door instantly on your device.

You can also set up special alerts specialized for members of your family. A good example of this we see often is when kids are arriving home from school they enter a specialized code to unlock the door, a photo is then taken and sent to your device to alert you that your kid has arrived home safely.

No more unwanted visitors or worrying if your kids made it home from school ok? Life is too short to be worrying about your safety- don’t you agree?

Even when you’re not at home, you can track what’s happening in your house and ensure your loved ones and belongings are safe at all times. We create custom security solutions that exactly address our clients concerns with safety so there is no need to worry- EVER!

Personalized Weather & Heating Updates

We all know about the fancy hubs which you can control from your phone – that’s old news.

But how would you feel about always knowing whether you need an umbrella?

Sure, we can use regional weather apps. But instead why not have a device which tells you the weather right on your doorstep?

That way, you can then also use your phone to set up your heating or air conditioning (AC) to ensure it’s the perfect temperature in your home when you arrive.

We recommend checking out options such as; the Eve Weather system, which links up to the Apple HomeKit and Control4, or the Nest Learning Thermostat.

Clap Your Hands and Lighten Up!

What’s cooler than having your home set up to mean you can walk into a room and the lights come on, without you even having to move a finger?

This is possible with the IoT and sensors.

Simply buy a few sensors for every room, and you’ll be saving money on your energy bills as the lights also turn off when you leave the room.

Plus, your home gets an instant upgrade – meaning your guests will be impressed. It may be something we’ve dreamed of for a long time, but it’s a lot simpler with modern 2018 technologies!

Of course, the Apple HomeKit, Control4, Google assistant and Alexa also allows you to control your lighting.

If you’re already an iPhone or iPad user, this could be the time to make the switch. Check out Leviton.

The even cooler part is you don’t have to buy the expensive smart lightbulbs anymore. You just replace the actual light switch in your home and then can control your lights from anywhere.

Sit Back and Enjoy your New Home Theatre

Are you obsessed with the latest movies and kicking back after work with a beer and a new film? Then updating your home theatre is a great way to implement home automation ideas.

As we always say, when it comes to music and film, it’s worth making your home an entertainment hotspot – your eyes and ears will be happy you did.

Your options here include creating an HD experience and controlling it using a voice assistant or from your phone.

Choose brands such as; Sony, Klipsch, Samsung, and Apple.

Once installed, it’s possible for you to have out-of-sight ceiling speakers in every room of your house. No more bad quality tunes from your iPad, blast your favorite songs in crisp sound overhead.

New Friends in Your Home with Voice Assistants

Before you purchase any of the items in this article so far, be aware that you need some way in which to control them.

If you’re already an iPhone or iPad user, then you’ll be familiar with Siri. However, this voice assistant isn’t your only option and a very popular choice right now is Amazon’s Alexa.

However, before choosing a voice assistant, you should weigh up your options. Apple users may find that they want to break away from Siri and have another option.

But, you can choose from Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and Siri. These are the most popular options, but there are many other less known choices.

There are different features available for the many assistant options. Currently, the market is saturated.

However, they don’t all offer compatibility with your current IoT products. This could dictate your choice.

The price of a voice assistant can also hugely vary – you could find yourself paying $50 or $300 for similar devices.

Home Automation Ideas Overload?

If you’re feeling confused about how you can connect your home and enjoy the futuristic side of living, then get in touch.

We’re happy to explain the IoT to anyone who feels technologically unaware – it’s less complicated than you might imagine!

Just tell us a little about yourself, have a read throughout our website and we’ll get back in touch to help you out with whatever you’re struggling with!

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