For many consumers, the benefits of smart home technology are both enticing and overwhelming. I’ve received all types of questions from potential clients throughout the Fort Collins area trying to figure out what’s the best way to start. Running out and buying the latest smart device to hit the market may sound tempting, but is it better than going with a professional home automation installation?
I usually begin these conversations not by making recommendations, but by educating the person. Often, people will come with many misconceptions about what smart technology is and the best way to take advantage of it. In this blog, I discuss some of the misunderstandings we often cover during that initial meeting.
SEE MORE: Smart Home Automation FAQ
Amazon + Google Are Taking Over
With the popularity of recent smart devices from Amazon and Google, many people think that these two companies are already a better alternative to traditional companies like Control4. Right now, they primarily offer great accessories for your home automation installation.
The most significant impact they've had in the game has been their voice-activated speakers like the Amazon Echo. These generally can control a variety of smart devices, but only one at a time. They still don’t have the all-encompassing software tying everything together for easy control and customization.
You’re Fine Going with Wi-Fi
One of the main reasons to use a professional home automation company is that they take care of all the low-voltage wiring. They can connect your security systems, AV components, networking, entertainment, and get everything working smoothly and hidden from view. So why not cut some costs and go wireless?
Common wireless is wonky. You want your home automation installation to be reliable, and for that, you need a wired system. While some features may be best with a wireless connection, the more you add to your network the slower and less powerful it becomes. You also open yourself up to security risks every time you add a new device to your system.
Your Existing Home Network is Up to the Task
Say you’ve gone ahead and bought all the IoT devices you were interested in and hooked them up through Ethernet cables to get as strong a connection as possible. Most likely, it still won’t be enough. Even if you do a DIY smart home, you’ll need a professional network.
That’s why networking solutions are always a part of our home automation installations. To make sure communications stays smooth throughout your smart home, we'll use additional routers, switches, access points, fiber optic cables, and dedicated subnetworks to manage your traffic.
All These Devices Will Get Along
You’ve got a NEST thermostat, Sonos speakers, and Yale locks installed in your home. Now you want them to work as one. When the Yale lock opens, you’d like the thermostat to lower and music to start playing. Unfortunately, that’s going to take some additional programming.
These IoT devices are standalone systems. They won't magically communicate with each other when you plug them in. That's precisely what a home automation installation is designed to do. It'll create a standard communication standard between them that will make “Welcome” scenes like the one mentioned above possible.
Want to learn more about the advantages of a professional home automation installation? Reach out to one of our experts by calling 970-217-7018 or filling out our online contact form.
