Over 5 Million Locks Sold
Trusted Since 2003
877-439-5377
Help
Sign In
Cart Your Cart is Empty
Centrios | Introducing the New Access Control Platform for Small Businesses. Click here to shop today!
Categories
Creating a Smart Home: What Product to Buy First
Smart home technology has become all the rage in recent years, and for good reason: It’s super-convenient, it improves the energy efficiency of your home, and if we’re being honest, it’s just plain cool. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about “gadgetizing” your home, but you’re not quite sure where to start. No problem! The following tips will help you narrow down which products to buy first, so that you can get your smart home makeover started off on the right foot.
1. Home Automation Gateway
No matter which smart gadget you buy, it will operate by some type of communications protocol that is typically controlled by a smartphone app or some other digital interface. If you buy four or five different home automation products from different manufacturers, you will have to learn the particular nuances of each individual smartphone app, and you will have to manage the login credentials for each product as well. This can be more hassle than it’s worth, and it can leave you feeling like your home is not much “smarter” than it was before. The best way to keep from juggling a ridiculous amount of apps and information is to purchase an integrated home automation gateway such as BeHome247. This ultra-handy device enables you to manage all of your smart home devices from one central control panel, making it easy to check the status of each gadget from a single intuitive interface. With BeHome247, you can control a wide range of smart home devices including lights, thermostats, motion sensors, door locks, and security cameras, all from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet or laptop. By enrolling all of your devices into the BeHome247 system right off the bat, you’ll save yourself tons of time and frustration on the back end.
2. Smart Home Lighting
In the world of home automation, energy efficiency is the name of the game. By swapping out your traditional light switches for in-wall smart dimmers such as the GE Z-Wave Plus, you’ll be able to wirelessly control, adjust and schedule the brightness of any dimmable ceiling or wall light from your mobile device. This can save you quite a bit of money on your monthly utility bills.
3. Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are another huge energy saver, as they can help you set an efficient schedule for heating and cooling your house at optimal times. For example, instead of just leaving the A/C on all day at home while you’re at the office, you can schedule your smart thermostat to begin cooling the house about an hour before you arrive home from work. Smart thermostats such as the Z-Wave-enabled Trane 524 allow you to do just that via your home automation hub.
4. Security Cameras
The safety of your family and belongings should always be your top priority, and what better way to keep tabs on what’s most important to you than by installing security cameras in and around your home? For example, you could connect a couple of Foscam wireless HD indoor cameras to your BeHome247 home automation gateway to give you an “eye in the sky” that can help you keep your property safe.
5. Keyless Locks
Traditional keys can be lost, stolen, broken, or copied without your knowledge, and they can be a hassle to keep up with as well. Why not switch to keyless locks that you can connect to your home automation hub, so that you can lock and unlock your doors remotely at the touch of a button? This sure beats the heck out of fumbling around with keys on a dark night, or being locked out of your home because you simply can’t find your keys.
There are a seemingly limitless number of home automation gadgets on the market, and with all of the options that are available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re first beginning to convert your home to a smart home. Keep the above tips in mind to help you prioritize which smart home gadgets to buy, so that your home automation setup will serve you and your family well in the years to come.