Home automation makes life easier and safer. From pre-heating the oven to monitoring for security threats, you get convenience and peace of mind.
13 Home Automation Ideas
Updated on Jun. 30, 2024
Smart Home Automation Benefits
More than 63 million U.S. households use smart home technology to make life easier, safer and more efficient. By integrating smart devices and systems into your home, you can automate a range of tasks that can be controlled through a smartphone or voice command.
The benefits include:
- Convenience: Automations enable devices to work independently or communicate with each other to perform tasks that would typically require human interaction.
- Security: Smart devices like cameras, locks and alarms can enhance the security of your home.
- Energy efficiency: Automation can help optimize the use of appliances and systems, leading to energy savings.
- Comfort: Automated systems can create a more comfortable environment, like adjusting lighting or temperature to suit your preferences.
- Accessibility: For people with disabilities or mobility issues, automation can significantly help them manage tasks around the home.
Check out the following home automation ideas to see what might work for you.
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Start Dinner Before You’re Even Home
With a smart oven or slow cooker, you can start your dinner while you’re still at work.
Through a mobile app, pre-set parameters like temperature and cooking time and receive progress notifications. You can use the app to tell the oven to start warming up while you’re on the way home.
Some appliances even let you send recipes to them, and they’ll automatically set temperature and time to suit the recipe.
Smart cooking appliances help you optimize energy usage to build a more sustainable home and a smaller carbon footprint. Safety features like automatic shut-off and unusual activity detection enhance the benefits of home automation.
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Stream Music Everywhere
Whole-home audio systems bring music, news, podcasts and more wherever want them. You can make good music an integral part of your smart home system.
Easily stream music in any room of your home, or even outside, and control everything from your phone or a smart speaker. Whether you’re cleaning, hosting a party or simply relaxing, you can set the mood with your favorite tunes.
Sync the same music across all rooms for a unified auditory experience, or play different tracks in each area to cater to individual preferences. This system not only brings joy, but can increase your home’s value.
Installation varies with system complexity. Wireless solutions offer simple setup, while hardwired systems may require professional installation. It’s an investment in your lifestyle, making your home a personalized entertainment hub.
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Watch Your Pet From Work
Smart cameras enable you to remotely monitor your pet’s activities, ensuring their safety while providing peace of mind. Some cameras come with two-way audio, allowing for real-time interaction, and even dispense treats to reward your pet’s good behavior.
Choosing a camera with motion detection or sound alerts lets you respond quickly to any unusual activities. Remember, optimal camera placement is key. It should provide a good view of common areas your pet frequents, but be out of reach so it can’t be knocked over.
Installation is generally simple, requiring only a power source, Wi-Fi connection and plenty of treats in the dispenser. However, if you want multiple cameras for a complete home surveillance system, consider professional installation.
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Make It Look Like You’re Home When You’re Not
Home automation can boost your home’s security when you’re away. By programming smart lighting and blinds, you create the illusion of occupancy, deterring potential intruders. Schedule lights to switch on and off at different times or set blinds to open and close, mimicking regular home activity.
For installation, most smart lighting solutions are as simple as replacing a light bulb and setting up the accompanying app. However, smart blinds can be more complex and may require professional help, particularly for larger windows.
Keep in mind, while automation provides added security, it’s essential to ensure your smart devices are secure from potential hackers. Regularly update devices, use strong passwords and consider a secure home network to mitigate these risks.
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Maximize Garden Watering Efficiency
Smart irrigation systems optimize your garden’s water usage, making sure your plants get enough moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Smart watering setups offer more precision than traditional sprinkler systems. You can schedule watering times, adjust them based on real-time weather conditions, and zone your garden for specific watering needs. Some systems include a moisture meter, delivering or withholding water based on these measurements
Most smart irrigation systems can be controlled via a smartphone app, so it’s easy to make remote adjustments. Installation varies based on the complexity of your garden layout and the type of system you choose. While DIY installation is possible for simpler systems, you might need professional help for larger or more intricate gardens.
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Conquer Porch Pirates With Smart Lock Boxes
Smart lock boxes provide a secure solution to missed deliveries and porch pirates. In 2022, 79% of Americans were victims of porch piracy.
When you’re not home, these lock boxes grant a one-time access code to delivery personnel so they can safely leave your parcel. Some models send notifications after a delivery, adding an extra layer of security.
Installing a smart lock box is typically straightforward, often just requiring a secure location and a connection to your home Wi-Fi. Selecting a weather-resistant model and positioning it away from direct sunlight or rain will prolong its life.
Just be aware that not every delivery driver will be familiar with these boxes, so make sure you include the usage instructions in the notes when you place your order.
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Optimize Your Home’s Energy Use
Smart thermostats optimize your home’s energy efficiency by learning your schedule and preferences. They intelligently adjust the temperature to save energy when you’re away and ensure optimal comfort when you’re home. Some models generate energy reports, helping you better understand and control your energy usage.
Remember, while smart thermostats can lead to significant energy savings, maximizing their benefits requires regular use and fine-tuning of settings. Also, compatibility with existing HVAC systems should be checked before purchase to avoid potential installation hurdles. Find out what other things you should know before upgrading your thermostat.
Whether you’re installing a Nest thermostat or another smart brand, you may need to install a common C-wire if your current HVAC system doesn’t have one. If you’re familiar with electrical work, it’s DIY-able. Otherwise, hire a pro.
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Get Notified of Leaks Before It’s a Disaster
Smart water sensors give you early warnings for leaks, humidity changes and temperature drops that could lead to burst pipes. These make it possible for you to take action and prevent costly water damage. So installing a smart water sensor is a great idea that can save you money on home insurance premiums.
Most water sensors are battery-operated and easy to install. Place them near potential leak sources like washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters. Be sure to regularly check the battery.
Matt Kunz, of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, says that installing leak detectors as part of a wider system can be challenging. “Based on the current plumbing setup of the home, pipes may need to be cut,” he says.
Admittedly, this is more work. But if you install this type of water sensor, you don’t need to worry about changing batteries. And there’s more functionality. Instead of just sending you an app notification, inline detectors can shut off the water supply when they detect a leak to prevent further damage.
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Clear the Air in Your Home
Smart air purifiers maintain healthy indoor air quality. These devices monitor your home’s air and automatically activate when they detect elevated levels of pollutants or allergens. That reduces symptoms for allergy sufferers and contributes to overall well-being.
Installing an air purifier is as simple as finding an appropriate location, ideally in a central area or where you spend most of your time. They need to be plugged into a power source and connected to your Wi-Fi for remote monitoring and control.
Despite their benefits, consider the ongoing costs of filter replacements. Also, no purifier can remove all pollutants, so it’s essential to still maintain good ventilation and regular cleaning. You may also want to consider installing multiple purifiers, including one in your bedroom.
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Open the Garage Without Leaving the Comfort of Your Car
Smart garage door openers offer an added layer of security and convenience for your home. You can open and close the door remotely, and most systems can send alerts if the door is left open for a set period.
Some come with two-way audio via a smartphone app so you can interact with visitors. Most let you open the door via your app so you can let a delivery driver safely leave a package.
Some systems come with a video keypad that lets you operate the door with facial recognition and also acts as a surveillance camera. You can also get a notification every time the garage door opens, and review a log of all door activity.
Many smart garage door openers are easy to install. If you have a complicated, integrated system that a pro installed, you may want to have that pro add the smart garage door opener.
Ensure your garage has strong Wi-Fi signal for reliable operation, but have a Plan B. “If you lose internet, you might not be able to gain access to your home,” says Jon Russell, director of systems for Precision Garage Door Service. “Always have a key hidden somewhere safe as a backup plan.”
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Master Laundry Day the Smart Way
Smart washers and dryers revolutionize laundry day, offering functionality beyond just cleaning your clothes.
With these appliances, you can program laundry tasks for off-peak energy hours, saving on utility costs. They can send notifications to your phone when a cycle finishes, preventing clothes from sitting and wrinkling. Some models even monitor detergent levels and auto-order supplies when running low.
Like most smart appliances, sophisticated laundry appliances typically cost more upfront than traditional models. But you recoup that extra cost in lifetime energy savings. Plus, they’re convenient and time-saving.
The best washing machines with an Energy Star rating can save around 20% in energy costs and 30% in water costs compared to less efficient models.
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Smarten Up Your Home Security
Smart security systems improve your home’s safety, enabling remote monitoring and control. And it can save you up to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance. Smart locks let you grant access remotely. Plus, you can set up temporary access for guests and service technicians.
Motion detectors and security cameras provide instant alerts and live video feeds to your smartphone, so you can take action against potential threats.
You can also install smart smoke detectors as part of your home security setup. They allow remote monitoring and fire location pinpointing. Plus, you can silence them instantly when you just burned the toast. You can also get carbon monoxide and flood detection systems for additional safety.
While smart locks and some cameras can be self-installed, professional hardwired installation may be warranted for some systems. Even then, you’ll still need to remember to check batteries regularly. Make sure you know how to troubleshoot these smart home issues.
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Create Virtual Boundaries With Geofencing
Geofencing employs GPS or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to automate tasks based on your location.
By creating virtual boundaries, you can trigger actions like turning on lights as you approach your home, or adjusting the thermostat when you leave a certain radius. It can also send alerts if designated devices like your laptop or tablet move outside the boundaries, adding an extra layer of security.
To start, you’ll need a smart device (like lighting or a thermostat) compatible with geofencing, and a smartphone. The setup mostly involves configuring settings within the device’s app.
However, keep in mind geofencing depends on the reliability of your GPS signal. Tall buildings or poor weather conditions can sometimes cause interference. Plus, geofencing can be a drain on your smartphone’s battery life because it constantly uses GPS.
