There’s no doubt that it may seem difficult on where to start on your first home automation system. With so many companies and products on the market, how do you know which products would be best for you? There are a few things to consider when thinking about your home and current lifestyle to integrate home automation into your routine...

1.  Think about your day to day activities: Most of the simple things you do each day can be controlled by a automation system.  Some of the popular items are audio/music, TV, lights and shades, thermostats, security, and cameras.
  2.  Do research: See what products you can find that could meet your needs. Then research installers in your area to see how they can accommodate your needs for lighting, thermostat, audio/visual, and other automation components.  Check referrals and testimonials.  Ask questions:  What system do you recommend?  What are the differences between certain systems?  What systems do you support?  Why do you select this system over others?  
  3.  See if Remote Access is available: This feature can give you the peace of mind that your home is safe even when out of the state by monitoring and controlling your home from your phone or tablet.  Does the installer provide remote monitoring for this system?  Can you and/or them be emailed when there is an issue with your system?
  4.  Get out of the way: Once you have found an installer and a system that works to your needs, let them do the work. Don’t be the person who leans over the installer’s shoulder all day long to make sure the work gets done.

As home automation grows in popularity, even existing system owners need to think about some of the most important features in automation that will make their lives easier. With benefits such as running your life smoother and saving energy.

  1.  Interoperability: Finding the right system can be tough enough, but if you are going to have multiple systems in your home you need to make sure they all perform together well. This is easier than it may seem. Your installer will know exactly what you need to keep all units working in harmony and which systems are compatible.
  2.  Upgradeability: One of the worst things is buying something like a new phone, and two months later the brand new version comes out. Most of the time, it is a slightly different looking product with updated software. The more sophisticated the software could mean it can do a lot more than the previous version. This is an important aspect for home automation systems as it ensures that you get the most out of your system as well as more features to make your life flow easier.  You installer should be on top of him game.  They should be in touch will changes in the industry.
  3.  Remote Monitoring: As stated above, remote monitoring is an easy way to control your home when you’re away. It’s also a way for your Control Designer technician to troubleshoot some of your products that become offline. This way an appointment doesn’t always need to be made to service at your home (which saves you money), it can possibly be fixed from our office and if not an appointment will be set to fix your unit.
  4.  Energy Management: The hottest topic of newer automation systems is that they are increasingly energy efficient by turning off systems automatically when not in use. They can also dim lights, turn off equipment, and lower your thermostat.  This feature in any of your products will keep energy bills down so your wallet is happy!
  5.  Layers of Protection: I’m sure you enjoy your installer and love seeing their friendly faces, but you want to make sure that your automation systems have appropriate back-up protection so you aren’t calling them every time the power goes out. Backing up the system will ensure that the information stored will stay in it’s database so you don’t come home to a dark house at 9pm when it’s programmed to turn on at 8:30pm.  It also insures that your equipment has constant power to prevent lockups due to power strikes or surges.  It also can consist of automated power cycles on equipment that is not communicating including routers, switches, processors, satellite and cable boxes.
  6.  Works for YOU!: Good installers want to make sure that your lifestyle is accommodated by choosing the best products that will make your life a breeze. They have the tools to ensure a system is customized to your lighting, audio, and visual wants and needs no matter what they are! A system that doesn’t work for you simply won’t make anything easier.  Again, there are many solutions, so a good installer will provide the system that is perfect for your needs not the only system they support or sell this month.

There are many more components to important features of home automation systems. Finding the best one for you is just a click or call away to your local home automation experts such as Control Designer, Inc. We can help you find every product that you need to automate your home.