By Joey Pepka of Peptronics
Home automation encompasses everything from the very simple (smart lighting) to the extremely complex (full-home security–both indoor and outdoor–including motion-activated video with smartphone alerts). Where you start will depend on your priorities, your home, and, very likely, your budget. Because with home automation, the sky’s the limit for both possibility and price. Smart homes can feature either wireless or hardwired systems—or both. Wireless systems are easier to install. Putting in a wireless home automation system with features such as smart lighting, climate control, and security can cost several thousand dollars, making it very cost friendly. Hardwired systems, on the other hand, are considered more reliable and are typically more difficult to hack. A hardwired system can increase the resale value of a home. But there is a drawback—it’s fairly expensive. Installing a luxury and hardwired smart system can cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars.
Here are 10 simple steps on how to automate your home today in a nutshell:
- Set Up Smart Lights to Turn On/Off on Schedule
- Program Your Thermostat for Energy Efficiency
- Automate All Your Electronics, Appliances and Devices
- Install Smart Locks on Doors for Security
- Switch to Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Better Safety
- Get a Programmable Irrigation System and Automate Your Landscaping
- Schedule House Cleaning with a Smart Vacuum
- Automate Your Garage Door for Peace of Mind
- Install a WiFi Video Doorbell for Security
- Connect and Control Your Home Entertainment with One Device
https://watchdogreviews.com/how-to-automate-your-home/
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/smart-home.asp
Best Home Automation Systems of 2022 (As reviewed by Techradar)
Amazon Echo
+Easy set-up
+Voice commands
+Multiple features
+Good compatibility
Google Nest Hub
+Visual interface
+Google Services
+Voice commands
+Good compatibility
Wink 2 Hub
+Versatile
+Mobile app
+Automate settings
Samsung Smart Things
+Mobile app
+Automate settings
+Battery backup
Apple Home Kit
+Good customizations
+Good hardware support
MAY
About the Author:
I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com