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Smart devices have transformed nearly every aspect of daily life. From thermostats to coffeemakers and everything in between, once basic household items can now be technologically adapted to meet our unique needs. These devices have the power to make our lives more convenient, efficient, secure, and fun.
There’s a lot to love about smart devices, but they hold significant downsides – especially if they’re not installed or used correctly. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called smart home solutions are far from “smart.” What can work well in a particular home may be ill-advised elsewhere. Some devices are almost entirely unnecessary.
The better you understand the benefits and potential pitfalls of automation and smart homes, the more capable you will be of choosing devices and an overarching setup that can improve your day-to-day life. Of course, it helps to have an expert in your corner. The team at NerdsToGo is happy to guide you through the process of setting up your dream smart home, but first, we believe it’s important that you understand how automation works and how it can change your life:
How Does a Smart Home Work?
A smart home takes the concept of automation to a new level and, instead of relying on just one or two advanced devices, maintains a household full of connected systems. This centralized approach distinguishes smart homes from “typical” residences, as some element of automation is already common in standard devices. For example, many households include dishwashers with programmable settings or even robotic vacuum cleaners – but these elements don’t make homes “smart.”
The true key to a smart home? A smart home hub, from which all linked devices can be controlled easily. Depending on your preferences, this hub may connect locally or to the cloud to provide remote access for multiple residents. Cloud-synced hubs handle complex processing on a cost-effective basis, but a local approach could deliver greater security and control.
While many smart home enthusiasts rely on dedicated hardware, the concept of a hub can also be bundled into other smart devices, such as speakers or security systems. Otherwise, hubs such as Samsung SmartThings and the Wink Hub 2 provide excellent functionality and a suite of useful features.
Regardless of how it’s set up, the smart hub serves as a central command for your home. It makes it easy to control a variety of household elements from a single app, rather than forcing you to keep track of the dozens of apps and programs that may accompany your device-filled home.
Common Smart Home Devices
Hub selection often depends on the specific devices used within a home. Simple hub solutions are available when all devices use the same wireless standard. However, if preferred devices operate on incompatible standards, an advanced hub may prove necessary.
Device selection can vary dramatically from one residence to the next. The following are among the most popular options for linking within a smart home:
- Thermostats
- Switches
- Speakers
- Security Cameras
- Locks
- Doorbells
- Smoke Detectors
- Coffee Machines
When determining the best smart home devices for your household, think carefully about which options will actually provide value. How can specific types of devices improve your home’s efficiency or safety? Are these benefits worth the added cost and potential digital security risks?
The goal is always to make your life easier. However, while many devices can accomplish this when installed under a hub, some further complicate matters rather than simplifying your lifestyle.
The Importance of Truly Smart Solutions
Smart homes offer many solutions intended to make our lives easier and more efficient. However, if not built strategically into an overarching system, these devices may prompt unnecessary expenses. In some cases, they may also lead to alarming security risks.
The perfect example of an ill-advised and potentially expensive smart solution is a smart lightbulb. Manufacturers claim that these last longer than standard bulbs, but such longevity can easily be achieved through the use of a smart switch.
While initially more costly to set up, smart switches prove far more affordable over time, as they are compatible with many types of bulbs. This is just one of many cases in which the advice of an IT expert can prove valuable. Your local smart home installation company can help you decide which devices are actually worth the investment.
NerdsToGo: Offering Smart Home Support
Ready to join the smart home revolution? With help from the team at NerdsToGo, you can easily implement smart devices in a way that maximizes both convenience and security. It all begins with proper setup; our experts can come to your home to get your smart hub up and running. We’ll take your unique preferences and concerns into account as we develop a customized smart home solution for you and your loved ones. We’ll also address internet setup to ensure that your smart devices and hub run as smoothly as possible.
Feel free to take advantage of the many smart home packages offered through NerdsToGo. These provide easy access to a suite of devices and features. Whether you desire just a few smart devices or want to integrate automation into every aspect of your household, you’ll appreciate the range of options the NerdsToGo team provides. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about smart home setup along with our many other tech offerings.