How Do You Choose a Whole-Home Automation System?

Now that smart home devices are a fact of life in luxury homes, investing in whole-home automation systems to bring them all together is becoming increasingly necessary. Just as important is choosing the right one. One that fits your needs, is user-friendly to you (what is intuitive to one person may not be to another), and is compatible with the smart devices you love. 

As custom technology specialists, we bring decades of experience working with some of the biggest players–getting to know the ins and outs of each. We take that information and consider our clients’ budget, what features are most important to them, and even which rooms they want to upgrade when choosing the right one. 

The best whole-home automation solution adapts to your needs, from what you want your smart locks to look like to the type of fixtures you want to use. Below are some things to look for when adding automation to your home in Medina, WA, or the surrounding areas. 

SEE MORE: Which Voice Control Platform Works Best With Your Smart Home?

A Smart Home to Unite Them All 

What is your must-have home technology? Look for smart home companies able to provide those services, including security systems, smart lighting, distributed AV, and even comprehensive Wi-Fi. Beyond that, look within those larger umbrellas to ensure they offer the features you want. 

Does the security system include smart locks and access to live surveillance footage? Does the lighting control go beyond dimming and allow you to adjust the color and white temperature? We recommend talking to an expert who knows what a specific smart home platform can handle down to the last detail. 

Harness the Power of Versatile Control

One benefit of a whole-home automation system vs. a DIY solution is getting diversified control options. All the devices in your home go into a centralized control system you can access in various ways. Below are some of our favorite ones:

• Touchpads: Enjoy a simplified UI that offers easy access to your most-used features and at-a-glance views to check surveillance footage, which lights are on, or the name of the song currently playing on your speakers. 
• Mobile App: Companies like Control4 offer remote access to cameras, door locks, and more from anywhere. As you arrive home, pull up your app to open the garage, turn on the lights, and even pull up a playlist to greet you as you walk inside. 
• Voice Control: Integrate services like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. When added to home automation systems, it’s easy to set routines. Say, “Alexa, Let’s get cooking,” and the kitchen lights turn on, the thermostat lowers, and your favorite podcast begins. 

Embrace Your Favorite Smart Devices 

We want to mention one last thing, especially for those who have already dipped their toes in the smart home world. Make sure that any home automation system you use lets you bring along the devices you love using. One of the reasons we use Control4 is its ability to make devices play nicely with each other. When upgrading, you don’t have to ditch your favorite products, from Nest thermostats to Yale Locks. Control4 partners with over 300 brands for over 10,000 compatible devices. 

The perfect home automation system addresses your current needs and where you see yourself in the future. Our solutions are tailored to you and are future-proof, so they grow with you. To learn more, call us, fill out our contact form, or chat below.