The days when only someone like Bill Gates could afford to automate his home’s lighting, climate, and security are long gone. Heck, even a budget of $100 or less is enough to transform your home into an automated, responsive haven. Here’s how to do it and what to consider along the way.
Pick an Ecosystem
Regardless of its scope, the first step toward establishing a smart home should always be to research and choose a platform your smart home will rely on. Apple fans gravitate toward HomeKit, whereas Android and Windows users are more likely to use Google Home.
Whatever your preference, sticking to one platform will ensure that all smart devices you plan to integrate into your home are compatible and synergized. At the end of the day, this is what the smart home is all about – devices working together in harmony.
Start Small
Modularity is among smart tech’s best features. You can acquire a device or two to get the hang of things and gradually expand as your understanding, interests, and budget grow.
Smart plugs and lightbulbs are the ideal starter devices for beginner smart home enthusiasts! A smart plug lets you control devices remotely or set them on a schedule. They’re also perfect for connecting a mundane fan and having it cool the house down before you get home. Smart bulbs come in white and colored varieties. In fact, they’re a godsend for fooling burglars into thinking someone is home or augmenting your fire alarm with flashing red lights.
A single plug or bulb can make a big difference, and you can get one for as little as $10. Once you’re more confident, you can invest in DIY security and doorbell cameras, smart thermostats, and more.
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Harness the Power of Automation
Being able to control your smart home from anywhere is just scratching the surface. Its full capabilities become apparent once you start integrating compatible gadgets or setting up conditional actions.
For example, smart sensors are another cheap investment with many use cases. Connect a motion sensor to your hallway bulb, and you’ll never have to fumble for the light switch again. Or, tell your smart assistant to set a schedule and turn Wi-Fi reading lamps into dim nightlights when the little ones are asleep. Automation tools like IFTTT are free and very effective.
Control Your Smart Home Safely
While a smart home’s advantages far outweigh the risks (not mentioning the latter would be negligent), generally, there are two types of risks you must be aware of.
The first stems from manufacturer negligence. The apps you use to control smart devices could be coded poorly, allowing hackers to steal your accounts and associated data. The most direct action to take is to use unique passwords and two-factor authentication that will prevent access even if an account is compromised.
Unsafe user behavior can be at fault, too. For example, wanting to check up on your kids through a smart video baby monitor when you’re away is natural. However, doing so through an unsafe network like public Wi-Fi can expose the video feed if the baby monitor doesn’t have end-to-end encryption.
In cases like these, it’s best to use a mobile VPN. They encrypt your smartphone’s entire connection, ensuring data remains secure whether you’re accessing websites or monitoring the feed via an app. Many VPN providers now offer discount coupons, including this NordVPN coupon, allowing you to test which option best meets your needs without ruining your devices’ communication speed.
Make Your Home Smart
Establishing a smart home doesn’t require you to spend thousands of dollars if you’re smart about your vision and goals.
Don’t immediately purchase the most expensive gadgets and start small in the integration process. Choose one coherent platform your devices will run on, and don’t forget the safety measures while controlling your smart devices, like using a mobile VPN to encrypt the data transmitted between your devices.
Now that you know what it takes to create a smart home on a budget, we’re sure you’ll take the chance to realize your dreams.
