Are You Setting Up Your Smart Home for Failure?
Here Are Four Tips for BuildingSuccessful System
As we kick off 2018, home automation is no longer a niche industry. In 2017, 80 million smart home devices were delivered worldwide, a 64 percent jump from 2016.
That momentum is expected to continue into the New Year as major players like Amazon and Google get more involved in the industry.
But as the technology has become more popular, we’ve also encountered more and more clients in Charlottesville, VA dealing with faulty automation systems. While we love the challenge of retrofitting a home for optimal performance, we know the goal ultimately is to get it right from the start.
So how can you make sure that you won’t be dealing with a failed smart home a few months down the line? Here are four tips for a reliable, optimized smart home you’ll enjoy for years to come.
SEE MORE: Home Automation Risk Management
- Reach Out to a Home Technology Professional
The most common issue with smart home installations is people getting in over their heads with DIY projects. While one smart device might be easy to install, anything that includes multiple features should be left to a professional.
The truth is many of these systems are only as smart as the programming behind them. A home technology professional can customize them, so they’re the perfect fit.
They can also create the ideal foundation. This means important pre-wiring hidden behind walls and a robust network to handle all communication between devices.
- Come Up with a Customized & Documented Plan
Another issue with DIY installations is that people don’t plan. They just add any new devices that sound interesting.
You can have a personalized solution—from the type of technology you use to how you control it—while still following a standardized process.
Find a professional that has a transparent process and offers thorough documentation. This shouldn’t just be a list of products but include detailed device location and pre-wiring plans.
This will ensure the final project is precisely what you wanted and make it easy to do maintenance down the line.
- Go by Needs Not Brand Allegiance
When building a smart home, how do you know which devices to purchase? Don’t simply go by the latest one you saw in a TV commercial or newspaper ad.
Do the necessary research and be wary of stores or installers that push a limited line of brands. Instead, the professional you work with should serve as a guide.
For this reason, it’s essential to have a solution that is compatible with a variety of devices. That way once you find the ones that fit best, you can be sure they’ll play well together.
Though we’re open-minded about the products we use, primarily our home automation systems use a Control4 or Crestron foundation. These two companies are compatible with many devices so that you can have a more personalized approach.
- Treat Your System Right Down the Line
Many people don’t realize their smart home requires some TLC after installation. By working with a professional from the start, you’ll have ordered racks and detailed documents that make it easy to do yearly maintenance.
Your installers can also let you know when any device or software needs an upgrade or when a new feature you might like is available.
Most importantly, if any aspect of your smart home starts acting up, you know who to turn to. Our technicians are always available to offer customer support.
Since they already know your system, they’ll be able to find and resolve issues quickly. Your technology will be up and running in no time, oftentimes before you even experience any downtime.
Want to embrace the home of the future seamlessly? The first step is setting up a consultation with your local technology experts. To get started, just reach out through the chat box on the bottom right of your screen or by filling out our contact form.
