A Beginner’s Guide to the Essential Smart Technologies

One of the big misconceptions about smart home technology is that you’ll only find it in huge, high-tech properties with a modern design style. That couldn’t be further from the truth!
The reality is that smart technology is affordable, unobtrusive, and rapidly growing in the Alpharetta, GA area.
There are thousands of different smart devices out there – each one doing something to make life easier, more energy efficient, or comfortable. Fortunately, you don’t have to sift through all the options yourself, and you certainly don’t have to start with all of them in order to have a “smart home.”
Below, we’ve listed out the three most popular smart technologies to include as you begin branching out into smart home automation.

SEE ALSO: TOP SMART TECHNOLOGIES FOR YOUR GEORGIA HOME

1. Smart Thermostat

You don’t have to have a full blown smart home to start making your home more energy-efficient and comfortable. It can be as simple as starting with a programmable thermostat that actively monitors energy usage and changing temperatures.
A smart thermostat can be programmed to be on a schedule, but you can also change the temperature on the fly via a mobile app.
And you don’t have to stop there. One of the neatest features of a smart thermostat is that it can be connected to other devices throughout your home so that they all work together to achieve that perfect ambiance and comfort. That’s what makes it truly smart.

2. Motorized Shades and Blinds

Smart shading means you can control exactly how much direct sunlight hits your room every day.  Set the shades to automatically lower when the sun is at a certain height in the sky or if the shades sense too much heat is entering through your beautiful windows.
Setting your shades on a schedule allows you to protect your interiors, pictures, and furniture from harmful UV rays – and will also help you to prevent solar heat gain.
Not only will this feature add comfort to your home, but it will also enhance your interior design and can blend in seamlessly with your existing décor.
With motorized shades, you can always start in one room, see how you like it, and then add on other areas over time.
There are multiple styles, fabrics, and patterns to choose from that will guarantee a beautiful selection no matter what.  You can bring aesthetically appealing technology to your space, while also keeping it practical.

3. Lighting Control

Illuminate every part of your home with automated lighting!  Lighting control helps to create ambiance and set the mood, whether you’re brightening up a room or dimming the lights for a fun dinner party you’re hosting.
Start small with lighting control by automating the lights in a single room, giving you the ability to control them remotely via a smart phone, voice command, or remote.
Then, over time, consider adding on one of these other features…
Set the lights to “away” mode while you’re on vacation, adding an extra level of security to your home.  The system will turn on your lights throughout the day, keeping burglars from thinking they’ve found an unoccupied house.
You can also incorporate landscape lighting to scare unwanted guests away if your system senses movement near your property.  Your lights can flood the area, illuminating any robbers or thieves.
If you’re just starting out on your smart home, these are the top three smart home technology features we recommend, but there are definitely more options! Smart cameras, whole home audio/video, motion sensors, and more – we can handle whatever technology project you’re planning.

Want to learn more about these services? Give us a call or fill out our quick online contact form to schedule a no-obligation consultation.  Our team would love to hear from you!