We talk often about what types of products make for a good Smart Home but we have not touched upon what NOT to do. Here are our top 5 tips:
1. Spend too much money
…Unless you want to. Most of the automation capabilities you can get today USED to require at times a 6 figure investment. We often hear the owners of these systems are unable to use them reliably. Today, that high end spend is much less a requirement and you can comfortably spend $2,500 for an entry level Smart Home fully installed. If you want all the bells and whistles, you can invest upwards of $25,000-$50,000 and have yourself quite a tricked out crib. If technology makes you want to start with just one product to get your feet wet, you can get into Smart home tech for under $300!
2. Not consider Control
One common mistake is to get caught up in all the features of the products you are looking at. If you pick out 3 different products without a common control platform you end up with A LOT of new apps to open (….and update and manage for storage space) on your phone. No one I know likes to have to open 40 different apps to get what they want done. Matter of fact that is the opposite of Smart.
Different products work with different platforms, so you want to consider this heavily. It’s probably the number one area our Level Up Your Home Consultants are qualifying customers for in a Smart Home Consultation. We want to make sure we get you on the right control platform that works for today and grows with you.
Fortunately, major advancements with voice control through products like Amazon Alexa and Google Home are helping immensely in the area of device control capabilities so this is becoming an easier thing to accomplish as these companies advance technology for us in amazing ways.
3. Not consider your network
The more devices you put on your traditional cable company supplied network router the more it will slow it down. You also need to consider when and where you want to control your new Smart Home products – for this reason, RANGE is the second most important consideration. You may need a few quality wireless extenders to get the coverage you need. I wrote about your network being the new “foundation” of your house here if you want to read more on the topic.
4. Not look at technology holistically
As soon as you start home automation, you are likely going to want more as they provide so much convenience. Technology upgrades for many people are a staged investment, think about what your whole home technology plan will be…or have an expert to your home to help identify your needs and lay out a plan. This is typically inexpensive or free as people want to earn your business.
5. Not thinking about protecting your home with a firewall.
While most of the internet-connected products you put in your home will be secure…moving away from hardwired devices to wireless devices makes quite a few people uneasy. Firewalls to protect your Smart Home network do not need to be complicated to set up or expensive. There are some products that will provide protection to your devices and personal data without monthly fees that are under $150.
We are offering free Smart Home Consultations in the month of June – contact us to get scheduled.
Here’s to staying Smart,
Jen – CEO/President
Level Up Your Home – The Smart Home Professionals
Schedule a Smart Home Consult Online
www.levelupyourhome.com
1-800-979-2791
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram
Are you ready for a Smart Home?
- I have too many apps on my phone to control and want to simplify my life (simple automation)
- I shop online and would like to see when my packages arrive at my door and be able to communicate 2 way with the delivery person (smart video doorbell, cameras)
- I want to be notified when my children come home from school (Smart locks, cameras)
- I want to be able to see what’s going on in my home when I am not there (cameras)I have a vacation home and want to make sure it is secure (smart locks, cameras)
- I have a vacation home and rent it out and would like to make it easy for guests to check in/out (smart locks, cameras)
- I or others in my home find my entertainment system difficult to operate (simple automation)
- I’d like my lighting and shades to adjust to the current conditions to maximize energy efficiency (shades, smart lighting)
- In the evening I’d like all the shades in my home to turn down to enable privacy (smart shades)
What would you add to this list? Comment below we’d love to here. Schedule a 30 minute Smart Home consultation now, free for a limited time.
Stay Smart!
Jen Mallett – Founder/CEO
Level Up Your Home – The Smart Home Professionals
Book a Smart Home Consult Online
1-800-979-2791
