Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

How does home automation work? Everything you need to know to get started

By

When Disney released its beloved movie Smart House in 1999, it was a fun work of science fiction. Little did we know that 2o years later, smart devices would indeed have the capability to control everything in the home including the temperature, locks, lights, security camera, and so much more. With internet-enabled televisions, you can stream all your favorite TV shows and movies without a cable box, and there are even coffee makers that you can program to brew your cup of joe before you even wake up.

With the popularity of smart technology at an all-time high, total home automation is on the rise. We’re going to discuss what home automation is, how it works, and how you can jump on this trend to set up your 21st century home.

Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

What is home automation?

Home automation refers to a house that functions completely, or almost completely, via a network of smart, connected devices. The user can schedule or program these devices easily and conveniently, often from their smartphone. This means you can control and monitor the goings-on inside your home from anywhere, whether it’s across the road or across the world.

Recommended Videos

How does home automation work?

Smart devices are most convenient when they are easy to access and operate. A fully automated home often has a command center or hub where you can control all of your smart devices from one place instead of operating them on several different apps. Usually, this is only the case if you purchase all your devices from the same company or choose devices that are interoperable with your other products.

Related

This allows you to program connected commands so, for example, you can set your lights to turn on when the front door opens or program your thermostat to adjust to an eco mode when you leave for work and engage your home’s security system. For home automation to be worth the cost, it has to really add to your quality of life. Managing ten different devices from separate locations is just about as burdensome as having no connected devices at all.

Benefits of home automation

Aside from feeling as slick and smooth as James Bond with all those high-tech smart devices, there are plenty of other benefits that come along with home automation.

Comfort

From the temperature of your home to lighting that matches your mood, you can customize your smart devices to fit your own preferences. Schedule your thermostat to turn up the heat before you get home, or program your lights to turn on as you pull in the driveway. It’s like having a little butler living inside of your phone.

Convenience

You can remotely program your devices and schedule their operation at the touch of a button whether you’re sitting in the living room or on the beach. If you want to let the dog-walker in at a certain time, you don’t need to make a spare key. Instead, simply unlock the door when they arrive and lock it again when they leave.

Peace of mind

Home automation means you can check the status of your devices at any time and from anywhere. If you’re not sure that you locked the door, concerned you left an appliance running, or curious if your Amazon package arrived, you can check on it in a snap.

Savings

Particularly when it comes to smart lighting and thermostats, your energy usage will definitely decrease with home automation. For example, you can set your lights and thermostat to operate in eco mode to conserve energy, especially when you’re away from the home.

Halfpoint/Shutterstock

Smart home devices to start out with

There’s a smart device for just about anything nowadays, so it’s best to start small with a few basics before diving into total automation. These are the smart home devices that will deliver the greatest impacts.

  • A smart thermostat and lighting provide the greatest return on your investment in terms of comfort and monetary savings.
  • Smart speakers will add the most to your overall convenience with voice commands since you can operate and control all other devices hands-free.
  • A smart security system will give you the most peace of mind as you can always have eyes on your home.

Smart devices are great for simplifying one-off tasks, but developing a network of these connected gadgets will really up the game. If you’ve been considering automating your home, we can assure you that it’s well worth it. Start with a few helpful devices, then expand your network until you can dim the lights, lock the doors, start your favorite movie, and order groceries all with the sound of your own voice.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Buying a forever home? This site shows how future flooding could affect your neighborhood
This research shows the real impact of being cut off from rising sea levels
best netflix ocean documentary woman

Buying a new home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your life. It can be stressful, and in addition to all the considerations like schools, location, neighborhood, and home type, you also need to plan for emergencies. For those looking to buy on one of the coasts, flooding can be one of those risks you need to think about when finding your forever home. But not just flooding of your home; what will happen if that flooding results in your home being displaced from essential services like grocery stores, hospitals, and schools? It's not something we think about every day, but for some, that possibility is closer than you may think.

A group of researchers from the University of Maryland and University of Canterbury showed that "targeted, effective, and timely climate change adaptation planning relies on estimates of how many people may be forced from their homes by sea-level rise and when this displacement will start to occur." Simply put, they measured the possible isolation driven by sea level rise due to climate change.

Read more
New research says your smart home devices are teeming with bacteria
A new study by Vivint proves your smart home devices may have more bacteria than your kitchen sink
Woman using a smart home device in the kitchen with a toaster

Smart home devices have transformed the way many homeowners interact with their spaces, particularly since the pandemic, when many were trying to eliminate viral and bacterial contamination in their homes. But what if our smart home devices aren’t as clean as we hoped? A new study from Vivint brings light to research that proves our smart home devices may be teeming with bacteria. Here’s what you need to know.

What was Vivint’s study?
Vivint aimed to examine the number of bacteria and other living microorganisms that call our smart devices their home. To do so, Vivint looked for four types of bacteria that could be living on the devices. Then, Vivint used CFUs — colony-forming units — to determine the "number of these living microorganisms on a given surface." Vivint said it then "analyzed how many CFUs of each type of germ had amassed on a number of home security components." With this process, the study produced alarming results for many homeowners who may have colonies of bacteria literally at their fingertips.

Read more
How to install a security light with a motion sensor in 3 easy steps
how to install security lights shutterstock 1340722961

Your home is your haven, and it should be where you and your family feel the safest. Keeping your home protected with a home security system is the most comprehensive way to guard it, but if you're not ready for that financial commitment, you can always install a motion-detecting security light outside. To answer any questions you may have, we'll discuss the benefits of motion sensor lights and how to install them quickly so you and your family can sleep a little easier.

Benefits of a security light with a motion sensor
While they don't come with all the bells and whistles of a complete home security system, outdoor motion sensor security lights give you a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to keeping your home secure.
Improve security
Of course, the primary benefit of a security light with a motion sensor is that it deters would-be intruders. Not only would an intruder be caught off-guard by the sudden burst of light, but they are likely to retreat and move along since they don't want to be seen.
Promote safety
Falls happen in the driveways and walkways of homes not only when the ground is wet or iced over, but also when it's too dark to see any trip hazards. With a motion sensor light, every time you enter or exit your home, you can be confident that you'll have a light to illuminate the way, preventing slips, trips, and falls.
Convenience
Outdoor motion sensor lights also mean you don't have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on and off every time the sun goes down or a guest arrives. The light simply turns on when your movement is detected, with no effort on your part.
Budget-friendly
Since full home security systems can be pricey, motion sensor security lights present a more economical way to secure the home without breaking the bank.
Where to install motion sensor lights
For the motion sensor on your outdoor security light to be most effective, install it in a location with no obstructions, like trees or parked cars, that would otherwise prevent it from sensing movements in the area.  Ensure the sensor is approximately 10 feet above ground level and in such a position where any movement that occurs in the area will travel across the motion detector instead of moving directly toward or away from it. Cross movement is more easily detected by the sensor, so make sure it's perpendicular to any walking path.

Read more