You have been watching all your friends automate their homes for the last several years. You are tired of standing on the sidelines, so you have decided it’s time to jump on the smart home train yourself. That’s great. But don’t jump just yet. There are some things you need to know first.
As a beginner, you are probably going to find things a bit overwhelming at first. So the more you know going in, the easier this is going to be. Below are the five most important things to know about smart home automation before you start spending money.
1. There Are a Lot of Ecosystems
Home automation is by no means standardized. There are a lot of companies competing for their piece of the pie. As a result, there are a lot of different ecosystems to choose from. An ecosystem includes all the hardware, software, and protocols providers employ to make their systems operable.
You have well-known ecosystems from tech companies like Google and Apple. But you also have ecosystems from dedicated home security and automation-only companies. A good example is Vivint Home Security. The point is that you have to pick an ecosystem before you buy anything because not all devices are supported by every ecosystem.
2. Building a System Can Be Complicated
A big part of the ecosystem question is the complexity of building a system. If you were to go with a dedicated brand like Vivint, you would only purchase components that work with Vivint systems. The company does not sell any incompatible cameras, thermostats, locks, etc.
On the other hand, going with an ecosystem like Google Home means using a selection of third-party devices that should support the ecosystem. This is where building a system can get complicated. Once you start dealing with multiple manufacturers and their ongoing Google Home support, you run into potential problems.
3. There Are Different Connectivity Options
Smart home automation relies heavily on wireless connectivity. Once again, you have options. The most popular connectivity protocol is Wi-Fi. It works well enough, but it does have its shortcomings. So manufacturers also use Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave protocols. You would be smart to learn about each one before you start buying hardware. You might also want to do a deep dive into how robust your Wi-Fi network is.
4. Automation and Security Can Work Together
As you consider what you actually want to automate, bear in mind that automation and security can actually work together in the same ecosystem. In fact, that is one of the advantages of investing in a pre-configured system from a dedicated provider like Vivint.
Incorporating home automation and security features into a single entity enhances the properties of both security and automation. You could end up with a more robust system that makes your home simultaneously more comfortable, convenient, and secure.
5. Things Can Get Expensive Quickly
Last but not least, understand that smart home automation can get very expensive very quickly. It is easy to start buying devices only to realize several months down the road that you have blown through your budget. Be careful.
The best way to go is to start simple and gradually expand from there. Do what you can when your budget is capable of supporting a. Otherwise, you might find yourself getting in over your head.
In closing, welcome aboard the smart home automation train. There are plenty of opportunities for you to transform the way you live in your home. And hang on. It is going to be an exciting ride for sure.
