Have you considered smart home automation but don't know where to start? You're not alone! Many people have thousands of questions before they start, and rightly so! The more prepared and informed you are, the better your smart home will be!
Luckily for you, our experts have compiled this FAQ list to help you get started!
What is a smart home?
A smart home is a home that uses smart home technology to control aspects like the thermostat, lighting, security, home entertainment, shades, locks, cameras, and a whole bunch of other stuff. These systems are connected to a single hub which you can control through a single app!
Pro Tip: Our team of custom integrators can help you develop the best smart home automation system that suits your needs!
Is a smart home worth it?
We certainly think so! But to answer the question more in-depth, a smart home is a good investment because it will help you save time and money the more you use it. By automating processes like adjusting the thermostat to the optimum temperature, keeping the lights off unless needed, and getting helpful reminders, you'll use less electricity (hooray, lower energy bill!) and have more time to yourself!
What other smart home benefits are there?
There are several benefits to owning a smart home, but the best is the ease of use and increased security. With a few taps on a smart device, you can get your home to work for you! And you'll get real-time alerts that let you keep track of the comings and goings at the door, what your kids or pets are doing, and be alerted of any disasters, like the water main breaking!
Can I use my smart home to control my kids?
Haha — unfortunately, no, you can't use your smart home to control your kids. But you can use your smart home system to help your kids keep on their routine, like setting up bedtime automation that turns all the TVs off and reminds them to brush their teeth. Or, in contrast, you can have "wake up" settings that gently turn on the light to a dimmer setting, open the blinds, and plays their favorite track so they can start their day with a pep in their step!
What smart home gadgets do I buy first?
This is a trick question, and the answer is none — you shouldn't buy any gadgets first. This might seem counterintuitive, but buying the gadgets first can lead to compatibility problems. If you can't get your devices to communicate with each other, then you won't get the benefits of whole home automation.
Pro Tip: Leave which gadgets to get up to our team! We'll come up with a compatible system that you can easily use!
How does smart home automation work?
Excellent question! Smart home automation connects each device, like your smart lights, thermostat, shades, etc., to a central control hub. From this hub, you can control and access each smart device on that network. And since they're connected, you can create "If this, then that" triggers for automated actions like the porch lights coming on automatically and the smart shades closing when it's sundown. Neat, huh?
Can a smart home keep my pets from ruining my things?
Sadly, no. A smart home won't stop mischievous pets from ruining your things. But it can help you monitor your pets' actions when you're not home with in-home surveillance. You can set up alerts for when your pets enter an area they're not supposed to, and then you can tell them to stop through a two-speaker!
Pro Tip: You can also set up a geofence in your yard that lets you know if your pets have crossed the boundary line!
Are smart homes secure?
It depends, but if your whole home automation system is done by professionals (like us), your smart home will be more secure. We'll make sure that there aren't any data leaks in your system and keep your network protected. We can even create a network just for your smart devices that is also password protected!
But if you just buy a bunch of gadgets and put them together, then you and your data would be at risk!
Can I upgrade existing and older homes with smart home technology?
Upgrading older or existing homes with smart home technology is definitely possible. While there are plenty of retrofit smart home solutions that don't require opening up walls, you won't get the most of your smart home capabilities. But if you're planning on remodeling or adding on to your home anyways, that would be a perfect time to start upgrading your home!
Are smart homes super expensive?
You might think that a smart home is a luxury few can afford, but that was true of smart homes a decade ago. Now, you can integrate more and more affordable systems into your home. The trick is finding the right one — but that's our job!
Ultimately, we find that the investment is more than worth it!
When should I contact the professionals?
Excellent question! The best time to contact your custom integrators (aka — us!) is the sooner the better! Even if you're only considering the benefits of a smart home, talking to our team can help you better understand the scope, cost, and outlook of adding smart devices to your home.
And if you're in the process of building or planning your dream home, don't waste a second — call our team today!
Time to Get Started!
Do you feel better now that we've answered some of your questions? We hope these answers have been helpful! But if you still have questions we didn't answer, don't hesitate to contact us at Good Sounds! Once you've scheduled a consultation appointment, we'll answer all your questions and get started on a plan that works for you!