After stay-at-home orders and social distancing, you may have noticed areas in your home that could use an upgrade. Are you looking to complete a smart home installation in a stress-free way? Here’s an overview of what components help establish a smart home network in your home.
Smart Home Installation: What’s in Your Network?
From calibrating your lights, appliances, and security sensors to the same base to controlling sprinkler systems and doorbell cameras with the touch of a button. Here are some of the countless options that could be included in your smart home network:
- Wi-fi networks
- Home wiring
- Music
- Security
- Outdoors (sprinklers, retractable awnings, etc.)
- Lighting
- Motorized shading
- Video
- Media rooms
How to Set up a Smart Home Network
1. Secure the Best Internet Network Available
Your smart home connectivity will lean heavily on your Wi-Fi network. With social media, music streaming, online games, Zoom, WhatsApp, and smart home systems no longer as novelties, these components have quickly become the pulse of many families.
Therefore, to best keep everything running smoothly, your first step in setting up a smart home network is to secure fast and reliable internet service. Without it, the quality of each smart home element will be less satisfactory.
2. Select a Smart Hub
With a strong Wi-Fi network established, the next step in the smart home installation is to select an interactive smart hub that provides quick and easy access to all your smart home components. A smart hub serves as a conduit to connect all your devices to a single source.
Popular smart hub models include:
- Google Home Hub
- Amazon Echo Show
- Samsung SmartThings Hub
- Logitech Harmony Elite Advanced Remote Control Hub
- Hive Hub 360
- Panasonic Smart Home KX-HNB600EW Smart Hub
- Philips Hue Home Automation Smart Bridge 2.0
- Energenie MiHome Gateway
Matching yourself with the right smart hub depends on your desired features and product integration. Therefore, before selecting a smart hub, verify its compatibility with all or most of your connected devices.
Once you receive your smart hub, add it to your network to begin syncing your devices to it. Follow the instructions provided with the product to complete the setup. If your smart hub has a voice assistant, it’s best to try out a few commands before installing any other equipment.
3. Transition to Smart Plugs
With your smart hub installed and ready to go, it’s time to consider transitioning to smart plugs. Easy to set up and activate, their interchangeability allows you to streamline how you operate everything from lamps and slow cookers to curling irons, fans, and space heaters.
Just a few plugs let you automate many components in your smart home installation. Furthermore, the plug’s app should guide you in connecting to the Wi-Fi network. If you implemented a smart speaker, you could also connect the plug to the speaker for voice control. Imagine only saying, “Alexa, turn off smart plug!”
An important concept to note is that smart outlets are slightly different from plugs, but you set them up similarly. You don’t have to hardwire a smart outlet into your home; most of them plug over an existing outlet.
4. Light Up the Room with Smart Lights
After arranging your smart plugs and possibly several smart outlets, the next step is to add some lighting. As well-placed lighting can work wonders for any room, they are also easy to implement in your smart home installation process.
Essentially, this step includes installing smart lightbulbs, syncing the lighting fixtures to your Wi-Fi network and smart hub, then testing everything out. Try turning them on and off from another room or even another state! Some lights also change colors or flicker in time to the music.
5. Build a Safe Haven with an Integrated Security System
As one of the most practical benefits of smart home installation, your home can easily boost security measures upon syncing with your smart hub. Like other smart home devices, this requires a reliable internet connection. Furthermore, your system should come with directions to create an account and connect the security base to the internet.
Many DIY, smart security systems such as SimpliSafe, Abode, and Ring, have peel-and-stick equipment. As a result, you won’t ever need to use a hammer or screws, perfect for those who are renting or simply want to avoid damaging the walls.
When installing security equipment, you may either opt for a few security cameras or get an interactive security system. Options are endless with door locks, motion detectors, open/close sensors, even your baby’s nursery!
6. Creatively Introduce New Smart Home Elements
With smart home installation offering limitless capabilities, all that’s left is for you to consider what’s next. Lifewire compiled a list of smart home devices that were unusual yet genius, including a smart toilet, egg tray, toothbrush, hairbrush, and even a fork! Needless to say, if you can think of something to enhance with smart home installation, chances are there is already a product for it.
Other home appliances and items you can add to your smart hub include the following:
- Mattresses, blankets, and pillows
- Garage doors
- Flowerpots and outdoor lighting
- Canisters/jars
- Motorized shading
- Dishwashers
- Ovens and toasters
- Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Thermostats
- Washers and dryers
- Vacuums, mops, and sweepers
- Pet feeders
- Showerheads
Which Devices Should I Add to my Smart Home?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your needs and preferences. For example, if someone living in your home has special needs or disabilities, cater to those first. Or, if your household continues to forget locking or closing doors, it would be wise to invest in smart door locks and garage door openers that everyone can control from their phones.
Ultimately, after plugs, lights, and security, we’d prioritize comfort and convenience. Do you want a voice-controlled smart thermostat? Are you looking to get a video doorbell so you can see who’s there without walking downstairs? Have you been dreaming of the day you get a robot vacuum, so you don’t have to pick up crumbs off the floor? New tech should be both useful and fun, so invest in the smart home gadgets that appeal to you.
Smart Home Installation Made Easy with The Loop Technologies
Beginning your journey with smart home improvement does not have to be cumbersome. Therefore, why not find the one-stop-shop to service all your smart home needs?
At The Loop Technologies, we design, sell and install audio, video, and other smart home control systems. As our guarantee to deliver top-notch products and services, we only sell products that were successfully tested in our lab or used in our own homes to ensure a premium end-user experience.
By utilizing a custom-built computer design system, we guarantee our clients get the absolute best value possible by specifying only those products that deliver an exact match to the client’s needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the best customer experience possible.
Are you looking to get started on your smart home today? We are ready to help! Contact us at (208) 938-2302 or via our new project form online to get started.
