5 Easy Ways to Turn Your House into a Smart Home

Turning your house into a smart home has never been easier! There are many products that offer convenience, all while remaining cost-friendly. They're easy to install, and most operate with free apps. Let's take a look at some of the easiest and coolest products.

What's a connected home?

The phrases "connected home" and "smart home" can be used interchangeably. Both terms describe a network of devices connected to the internet or work in conjunction with the Internet of Things (IOT). That phrase, "the Internet of Things," emerged from the interconnectivity between home appliances, electronics, and utilities to yield better control and smarter functionality.

A connected home maximizes lifestyle by adding convenience, security, and peace of mind. Before you get some connected products, it's important to have a Wi-Fi connection and a good router. A router is the backbone of a smart home system, allowing you to introduce things like a Samsung smart TV and other modern devices as needed.

Smart locks are able to help you more thoroughly secure your home through the power of smart technology. Smart locks are able to be locked and unlocked remotely through the use of your smartphone through a Bluetooth connection and by connecting to your home WiFi. That means no more accidental lockouts, all you, or your loved ones will need is their smart lock app to get inside. Most smart locks can also be set to automatically unlock when you're walking up to the door, so if your hands are full with groceries, you won't need to fumble around with a key to get the door open. They're also easy to install, since most models hook right up into your existing lock and are battery powered, so complex wiring is not needed. They will usually have some kind of companion app attached to them that allows you to control them remotely once they're set up. If guests are coming over, give them a one-time passcode that they can use on their own phone to get inside. If your smart lock comes with a keypad, you can even give each person in your home their own unique passcode to get in, giving everyone who lives there easy access inside even without an app.

Various brands have now started creating WiFi speakers. These speakers operate at much longer distances than standard Bluetooth speakers, so even if they are not in line-of-sight, they still function. Also, Wi-Fi offers higher bandwidth, so music sounds much better than Bluetooth speakers, and it works independently within their respective companion apps, so they won't interfere with phone calls, web browsing, or texting. The Sonos line of products offers high-fidelity music playback in your home, all connected and controlled from a smart device and the Sonos app. Sonos is the definition of "Plug & Play;" simply pick a room, plug in a Sonos speaker, download the app, and you're done.

Sonos connects with many apps such as Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio, and can sync with your iTunes account. You can choose playlists, skip songs, or change the volume from anywhere you have a WiFi connection. Some other notable brands that make Wi-Fi speakers are JBL, and Sony.

The Nest Smart WiFi Thermostat will optimize itself to best fit you and your heating/cooling system. Simply install the sleek-looking thermostat and download the free Nest app.

The Nest automatically adjusts to preferred temperatures and indicates when the temperature is optimally set to save on cooling and heating costs. You can operate it anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection and make adjustments on-the-fly. Also, the Nest is smart, and it automatically adjusts its temperature when you leave, saving you money.

Smart speakers are small, voice-activated devices that can connect to WiFi and handle a variety of tasks. They can do simple things like tell you about the weather, play music, set alarms, and answer questions by surfing the web, or they can act as the main hub for your smart home.

Depending on which speaker you go for, it'll have a different activation word to have it start listening to you. The Amazon Echo for example works off of a cloud-based Amazon service called "Alexa," and to activate it, you need to say "Alexa" followed by a command or question. For example, "Alexa, play my favorite Pandora Station," and your music will play. Once you add other compatible devices to your Echo, or another speaker, you'll be able to control them all right from there. It can schedule lighting, set thermostat changes, arm home security systems, and more. Some other kinds of smart speakers include the Google Home, and the Apple HomePod.

Smart lighting can be helpful in a variety of ways. If you're concerned about security, a smart floodlight can automatically turn on when they detect motion, and many models have built in cameras, making them great for ensuring that various parts of the outside of your house stay safe. These cameras can also connect to WiFi, allowing you to check them and light up the area around them from an app on your phone. If you want smart lighting for aesthetic reasons, then smart light strips and bulbs can be helpful. These can also often be controlled through an app on your phone, and you can set them to a variety of different colors.

Getting connected is easy, and the benefits keep growing as new technology emerges. From simplifying tasks, saving money, or keeping you and your guests entertained, the smart home revolution is here to stay. Get some other great ideas and learn more about these smart products by checking out our Learning Center. We hope you enjoy your new and improved smart home!