How to Make Your Home a Smart Home

Simply put, smart homes make your life more comfortable. And wouldn’t we all like to be more comfortable? Potentially more financially comfortably off too, as smart homes are also designed to be energy-efficient, saving money over the long term.

Home automation, that is, making your house a ‘smart home’ via technology, is a booming industry and only set to get bigger. Many companies are investing significantly in technology developments to improve the way we control our home environment by automating day-to-day activities. This in turn frees us up to spend more time relaxing, and less time managing lifestyle functions.

But to the uninitiated knowing exactly ‘how to make your home a smart home’ might sound expensive, complicated, and a bit overwhelming. So here are some simple guidelines on how to get started.

1. First and foremost, consider why you need home automation.

There are plenty of economic, security, comfort and efficiency reasons for introducing a home automation system.

• Lifestyle benefits

From a lifestyle perspective the benefits of automating your home are both tangible and intangible; from the peace of mind you get from knowing your home looks like it’s ‘lived in’ whilst you’re away on holidays, to the comfort of being in control of your ambient environment via your mobile phone or tablet.

• Become more energy efficient

One of the biggest benefits homeowners experience is energy-efficiency and long term cost savings. In winter program your automatic shutters to close at dusk, keeping your home warm. While in the summer your shades can come down automatically, keeping your home cool and the cost of air con down. 

2. Next, consider what you’d like automated around your home.

Automatic window furnishings? Automatic lighting inside and out? Automatic security settings? Or perhaps automatic heating controls, for example.

Do some research into what’s available on the market today and compare it to your wish list.

After you’ve decided on your home automation shortlist it’s time to work out a budget. This will help focus your priorities, which in turn will help determine which area or item around the home you’d like to automate first. Whilst everyone’s priorities will vary, we recommend starting with the windows.

You’re now well on your way to working out how to make your home a smart home!

3. See the product for yourself before making that final purchase commitment.

Before you invest try to touch and test the product. Have the benefits and usage explained to you and ask plenty of questions. While use and functionality may be your immediate focus, don’t forget to enquire about warranties, installation and after-sales service.

Once you’ve installed your chosen home automation system, test and use its functions in your home for a while (we recommend at least six months) before committing to any enhancements or new products.

For more tips on how to make your home a smart home, and other advice on home automation get in touch with the team at Somfy.