Welp MagazineThere is one nagging question you, for sure asked yourself, “What is the first step for home automation beginners?”
It is quite challenging to find any easy answer on the spot as contemporary smart technology manufacturers offer an extensive range of tech products, automated solutions, and appliances that you simply do not know what to choose. However, you can not select all the popular options available today at the smart market because you need something that will change your life giving you easy control and at the same time, you will not experience any overspend.
For some people, home automation is not usually an entirely connected home with its devices inside, it can be a minor automation project, even the one you can implement yourself like with a mini linear actuator or simple replacement of traditional light bulbs with smart color LED bulbs you can manage through your phone app.
Key steps you should take if you want your home to be automated successfully
If you think that the home automation era resembles a fantastic film where machines go to battle against humans, it is a really different story. In fact, automation solutions have been offered to simplify our daily life and give us more free time and not only. Moreover, all these smart appliances can help people to finish home tasks even if you are not at home. In other words, you control all the systems but do not interact very closely, so it’s not time-consuming for the homeowner.
You should also know that due to automated technologies, you can both improve your life in terms of comfort and to cut your utility bills per month. The last point may, indeed, sound very intriguing and make you consider it is the time to take the leap into the world of home automation and absolute convenience. Further you will find out important recommendations on the matters everyone should know before getting started in home automation.
Step 1: Answer the question, “What do you want to achieve with a home automation project?”
Before planning something that can change our life and conditions we live in, we usually imagine the result we strive to achieve and only after begin to build out a strategy in attaining the result. It means you should not run to the shop and rack your brains about purchasing different equipment; you think only about the result and benefits you will obtain.
Additionally, it is important to follow these little hints:
- Put down the advantages you want to have in the end;
- Finish with constant doing one and the same thing you really hate to deal with (for example, opening and closing of window shades);
- Think about how you can reduce your utility bills;
- Probably a home security system will let you relax?
- Determine what exactly can bring more comfort to your home;
- In what way can you create more storage space?
- If you have an elderly dependent family member, think about how automation can help him or her daily routines.
After you have answered all the questions, you will become more confident to start searching for eligible equipment and tech variants you need for successful home smartening up.
For instance, you have decided to provide your home with a reliable security system to sleep well at night and not care about your property when leaving your home for some time. You know exactly that this project is important and begin with searching for security panels, movement detectors, special locks, of course, video cameras, and some other useful accessories or elements. Determine your budget as well to be sure you fit in it with all your required purchases.
Step 2: Consider the type of network technology for your automation project accomplishment
The following step is essential as it defines the way your devices and various installations will work together and will be connected to each other. There are usually some drawbacks and advantages when it comes to a certain technology on the ground of the results you finally want to obtain. This inconsiderable discrepancy might put you in a position to choose as not all the devices can be mutually connected.
As long as you have already determined specific results in step 1, you need such a network technology that will meet your personal and automation requirements. Look further to evaluate the most widespread and reliable networks people use for home automation:
Z-Wave (A special unique wireless network designed to comply with the most sophisticated ideas of home automation. By the way, this technology is an ideal choice for first-timers in this area of activities.
Zigbee – a relatively new protocol that helps gadgets to communicate in diverse network technologies keeping the battery in good working conditions for many years.
X10 is a great option for home automation if you are going to incorporate several powerful electronic devices. To provide signaling and control it applies power lead wiring.
Insteon – is solid technology that is produced to create appropriate conditions for light switches, smart thermostats, different detectors, and other corresponding devices to interact with the help of electricity transmission lines, radio frequency operation, or in combination.
Step 3: Receive the software and hardware your project requires (consider welcome kit)
Depending on your choice, you will use specific software to manage your home automation system from any gadget you find convenient to do (a tablet, smartphone, or desktop).
The home coordinator is one more integral item in the form of a small box that controls and directs the whole system of connected devices. Sometimes these special boxes are manufactured with embedded software.
Other additional pieces of equipment as different switches, detectors, or sensors are necessary for comprehensive operation. To make your choice easier, you can simply purchase a welcome kit for home automation. It is very convenient as the latter usually includes the required software and hardware which will be compatible with what you have.
Follow your needs to get the eligible stuff for home automation.
Author:
Hayley Mann is a technology enthusiast specializing in automation methods of ergonomics devices. Her engineering background helps her to create interesting articles on technical topics, making them understandable for all readers.
