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Once only the someday dreams science fiction, a smart home has become an achievable reality in 2019. Thanks to the widespread integration of wireless internet technology, virtually every utility function and appliance in your home can be connected and controlled via a voice-activated assistant device or smartphone.

Electrical outlets, smoke detectors, refrigerators, robotic vacuum cleaners, and even whole house lighting can be easily controlled via voice command or a quick tap or two on your smartphone. You can even check security cameras remotely while you are away from home, or check to see if you left lights or appliances running that can be safely shut down for the day. The benefits of a smart home are many, and converting your home to a smart home requires less investment than you might think. Let’s take a look at how to build the perfect smart home in 2019.

Getting Started: What Works Best For You?

While great strides have been made in the functionality and utility of smart appliances and smart home devices, many remain skeptical about the benefits of a smart home. Beyond the “ain’t it cool?” factor and push-button/voice command automation of daily life for the lazy, what is it going to do for you? This is why many homeowners take one of three approaches to converting or building their smart home: integration, piecemeal installation, and total conversion. Let’s see which of these three is best for your home.

Integrated Approach

For those looking to build a new home or extensively renovate an existing home, this is the approach to take. As your home is being built or renovated, you install electrical outlets, appliances, door locks, security cameras, exterior lighting and HVAC controls that are capable of being wireless connected and controlled via smartphone apps or your voice-activated assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or even Apple’s Siri.

This is by far the most expensive and complex method to turn your home into a smart home, but the energy savings, convenience, and superior safety and security provided by directly integrating smart home functions from the start are well worth the investment for many.

Piecemeal Installation Approach

Rather than starting from the ground up by building a smart home, this is a more measured approach that breaks up the expense and work of converting to a smart home over an extended time period.

Some homeowners start by adding smart electrical outlets and configuring home automation to power down devices the first year, then the next year they install a smart thermostat to control their HVAC system and heat and cool their home more efficiently. The year after that they may add a wireless smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector support, and then a wireless home security system or remotely controlled locks and alarms.

Piecemeal installation is generally the most popular approach since it allows homeowners to take advantage of the benefits of a smart home without a massive upfront investment.

Total Conversion Approach

In terms of labor intensity and cost, this can be the most expensive method for building a smart home, but for many, it is well worth the investment to take care of everything in one go. As far as how a homeowner goes about converting their home, this means replacing all electrical outlets, appliances, HVAC controls, fan controls, lighting, and security controls in one go in an existing home. Unless you are willing to shell out the cash for a professional installation, expect to spend significant amounts of time poring over manuals and installation guides for wiring outlets, light switches, fan controls, thermostats and smoke detectors with wireless internet capable modules.

If this doesn’t phase you in the slightest, go for it. Many times you can purchase entire kits or complete home setups at a discounted price for the quantity and quality of the items you purchase. You also stand to benefit from significant energy savings your first year after the installation as well since you will have complete control over what draws electricity in your home even when you are away and forget to turn off lighting or HVAC systems.

Next Steps: Building Your Smart Home System

Once you have decided on how you want to go about creating your smart home, the next step is to choose what system you are looking to install. Here’s the process step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Virtual Assistant

Your virtual voice-controlled assistant will largely determine what hardware you buy and the convenience of operating and programming your smart home. If you can’t find many appliances and devices that function with your virtual assistant of choice, you will find the conversion process to be much more difficult.

No one wants to juggle multiple apps on their smartphone or tablet just to control the smart functions of their home. A virtual assistant centralizes control of your smart home and allows you to simplify your system without complicated commands.

Currently, there are three virtual assistants that are attracting smart home device manufacturer attention: Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Home Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. Here are some pros and cons for each to help you make an informed decision:

Amazon’s Alexa
Pros

• A great device for beginners who are looking to centralize control of their smart home
• The Amazon Echo Dot is the most economical option for a virtual voice-activated assistant
• Offers the broadest support for third party products and devices

Cons

• Programming app for additional functions is poorly designed and awkward to use
• Alexa doesn’t always respond effectively to commands for third-party devices and apps
• You can’t activate Alexa from your mobile device: it only works if you speak directly to the speaker
• Amazon makes you sign a waiver that they are not responsible for what third-party apps and developers do with the private user data that your devices collect and store. Recently, this has led to widespread concern regarding the privacy issue this creates for both developers and end users.

Google’s Home Assistant
Pros

• Voice commands work from your Home speaker device or your smartphone
• Costs approximately $50 less at suggested retail price than a standard Amazon Echo
• AI functions of Assistant are smarter than both Alexa and Siri, and you can ask more questions and give more commands than other virtual command assistant devices.

Cons

• The only activation command to summon assistant is “Okay, Google,” and it gets old fast
• More third-party apps and devices support Alexa than Google
• Google has a disclaimer that they are not responsible for what third-party apps and devices do with your private user data they collect, so it is definitely a caveat emptor (“buyer beware”) deal.

Apple’s Siri
Pros

• All voice recognition data and searches are kept private via wireless encryption between all Apple devices, keeping your private user data safe from hackers, identity thieves, and tech-savvy burglars.
• If you are already using multiple Apple devices, it is much easier to install and use out of the box.

Cons

• Due to the encrypted nature of Apple’s network traffic between Apple devices and third-party devices and appliances, there are fewer smart home devices and appliances that are compatible with Siri
• Siri’s voice command interpretation is not much better than either Google or Alexa
• Siri only functions on Apple products.

After you pick a voice-controlled digital assistant that suits your budget and your prospective smart home devices, you are ready to move on with the next step.

Step 2: Decide How Smart You Want Your Smart Home To Be

What specific aspects of a smart home appeal to you the most? You need to come up with a concrete plan for how far you intend to go with your smart home devices before you start buying gear and installing it in your home. Otherwise, it’s easy to install home automation products and smart appliances and devices that simply never get used. To simplify this process, we’ve drawn up a few plans to help you decide on a specific focus for your smart home integration.

Energy Savings
Ecologically conscious homeowners trying to reduce their carbon footprint and go green will love this focus. Adding smart home devices that let you schedule and automate energy usage in your home are first on your shopping list. The Nest Thermostat, Samsung SmartThings energy controls, and light switches and dimmers, and exterior and interior WiFi enabled light bulbs like the Flux are all going to be ideal for your needs if you are trying to cut down on energy usage.

Safety and Security
A smart home enabled security system is ideal for homeowners who have to travel frequently or want their household to be secure day or night. Wifi enabled cameras like the durable and versatile Nest Cam, a Wink front door security panel with the camera, and security lights with LifX bulbs linked into your smart home system all provide you with 24/hour real-time access and control of the secure entry points of your home.

There are also security monitoring and alarm systems that are smart home friendly. Using one of these services means your security system can coexist with your smart home security devices, and they can even work together as a comprehensive home security solution.

Full Integration
Every function of your home from lighting to the pool pump out back can be remotely controlled via your smartphone or your voice-activated virtual assistant device. This is definitely the most expensive proposition, but there is a distinct advantage to adopting this focus over the other two.

With a single system focus, you can purchase devices that are all fully compatible with your selected assistant device. When focusing only on one or two aspects of your smart home system, you can end up with a bunch of different apps for controlling and programming devices individually.

As you expand your smart home devices over time, this makes your home automation processes needlessly complex, and it takes away many of the convenience benefits of a smart home. Installing a complete system of devices from one or two manufacturers is far more convenient, and it is easier to install and configure as well.

Upon establishing a focus for your smart home, you are now ready to start installing and configuring your smart home system.

Step 3: Putting It All Together

The actual installation process is going to vary significantly depending on the floor plan and dimensions of your home, but there are several ideal smart home devices for those looking either to integrate smart home functions piecemeal or all at once. Check these out:

Lighting Control Options
The most common start for people when converting their home to a smart home is to set up a lighting control system. This is easy enough (and inexpensive enough) to accomplish without any specialized skills or tools, and it can save you a bundle on energy costs.

Smart light bulbs like the LifX or the Philips Hue smart bulb systems are two of the most popular lighting options currently available. Both are Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri compatible, and both have well-designed control apps.

The defining difference between these options is LifX bulbs connect directly to your WiFi router, while the Hue system from Philips uses a separate control hub that operates independently of your router. The Hue system can control up to 50 bulbs versus the LifX being limited to how many connected devices your router can handle at one time.

Basically, the Hue is the best smart home lighting control system in terms of reliability, but LifX bulbs don’t require special hardware and cost significantly less per bulb than the Hue bulbs. Hue bulbs also don’t need an internet connection to work around the house, while LifX bulbs can only be accessed configured via the cloud. Assess which option is best for your needs and purchase accordingly.

Appliance and Outlet Control
Even when turned off, many power-hungry devices continue to draw power throughout the day. It is the aspect of energy usage typically called ‘phantom load’ – and it costs you money. One of the reasons many people adopt a smart home system in the first place is to kill “phantom load” remotely or program power availability using their daily schedule.

Two solutions to this problem are the TP-Link smart plug and the iHome SmartPlug. The TP-Link option is Alex and Google Home compatible, and the iHome SmartPlug is ready to go for Siri and Apple devices. All you have to do is plug your device into the smart plug, then plug the smart plug into the wall. A few quick taps later, and they can be connected to your virtual assistant for easy on-off operation.

Smart plugs are a great solution for people who don’t want to mess with requiring their electrical outlets and want to control outlet draw via WiFi. Fans, lamps, window mount air conditioners, game consoles, laptop power cords, and similar devices are all ideal for control via a smart plug to cut down on “phantom load” when they aren’t in use.

Heating and Cooling Controls
The 800-lb gorilla of the smart home thermostat world is the Nest Learning Thermostat. Currently, in its 3rd generation, the Nest has the most elegant design and best features available compared to any other smart thermostat on the market. What sets smart thermostats apart from regular thermostats isn’t just WiFi connectivity either: these devices are designed to read your home’s energy profile, current weather conditions and many other data points to keep your interior temperature comfortable with minimal energy usage. The chief objection to the Nest Learning Thermostat is the hefty price tag, which makes it less desirable for anyone looking to set up their smart home on the cheap.

The good news is there are several more economical options that can be integrated with your other smart home energy saving devices and your virtual assistant device. For example, Honeywell makes a line of smart WiFi-enabled thermostats featuring 7-day on-device programming and support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. It also costs roughly $75 dollars less than the Nest according to a comparison of suggested retail costs.

Ecobee is another smart home thermostat maker that offers WiFi connectivity and supports the “Big Three” of voice-activated virtual assistants. Like the Nest, it is also a learning thermostat and features an independent exterior sensor for real-time temperature and weather data. They boast the average homeowner that upgrades to their products save an average of 23% on their energy bill each year compared to using non-learning thermostats.

Unlike the Honeywell offerings, Ecobee 3rd and 4th generation products cost about as much as the Nest Learning Thermostat. However, they do have the distinct advantage of a highly accurate and internet independent exterior sensor. Conversely, Ecobee thermostats are definitely not as attractive or customization-friendly as the Nest is either.

No matter what you decide, you should be prepared to spend between $150-250 USD on a good quality smart thermostat with learning capabilities. On the upside, you will more than likely save enough on your heating and cooling costs your first year to more than pay for the thermostat upgrade.

Security and Safety Controls

A smart door lock and deadbolt system is everything people love about smart home security. It provides a two-way intercom, wide-angle camera, and remote entry control even when you aren’t home. Do kids forget their house key? They can use an individual keypad code to unlock the door and get into the house. It will even take a photo of the person entering the code and send it to you. Technicians coming to install or repair an appliance or service? Get a ring on your phone and verify their ID and credentials from anywhere right on your smartphone. Upstairs in the master bedroom or “indisposed” in your bathrooms? See who is ringing your doorbell and talk to them directly with a few taps of your touchscreen.

If you get a Wink smart home systems compatible model, you can even add additional sensors for your windows and other doors to alert you on your smartphone 24 hours a day. Best of all, Wink compatible devices also work with Amazon Alexa for voice control. Adding a smart lock you can control from your mobile device or virtual assistant goes a long way to adding protection to your home.

For safety concerns, you can install any number of sensors that integrate with your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and even your hot and cold water. Roost makes a 9-volt battery with integrated WiFi that connects directly to Alexa or an app on your smartphone. It will alert you to activation of your smoke alarm if you are away from home, and can even remind you when it needs to be replaced.

They are a little on the pricey side, but they also last much longer than a traditional 9-volt. Better still, they let you shut the smoke alarm off temporarily should you accidentally burn something in the kitchen or keep your toast down for too long. Having a smart carbon monoxide detector is especially useful if your house uses coal, oil, or natural gas fuel source. When a leak is detected, you are immediately alerted so you can contact emergency services.

Speaking of leaks, Wink makes a water pressure sensor that helps detect if your plumbing has developed a leak anywhere and alerts you via your smart device or virtual assistant. Since water damage only gets worse the longer it goes unchecked, a water system sensor can be a huge cost saver, especially if you have a second property or vacation property requiring remote monitoring.

Consider these options for lighting, appliance/outlet, HVAC, and safety/security systems when converting your home into a smart home. You may find that everything you want is much easier to install yourself than you imagined and costs a lot less than you were expecting.

Final Thoughts on Making the Perfect Smart Home

Overall, it is crucial to start your conversion to a smart home with a clear plan laid out to your most desirable end result: simple to operate a smart home system that works together to save energy, keep your home secure, and provide convenient comfort and safety. Use this guide to create that perfect smart home plan: choose an assistant, pick the focus for your hardware, and then integrate your devices accordingly. In no time at all, you too can enjoy the savings, comfort, and convenience of a well planned and integrated smart home.

Placing a security camera on your property is an effective way to level up your home protection. Whether this is your first purchase or if you’re looking to add another camera to your surveillance system, these helpful guides can assist you in finding, installing, and protecting your security cameras.

The Best Beginner’s Guides for Security Cameras

Are you thinking about adding a security camera to your home surveillance system, but you’re not ready to take the plunge? If you’re still on the fence, then learning as much as you can about security cameras can help you make your decision.

Technology has come a long way, and security cameras can now do more than just monitor your home. These beginner guides can teach you what to look out for and how to pick the best security camera for your home.

1. Protecting Your Home With A Hidden Surveillance Camera

Selecting a security camera is a big decision, and it’s important to make the best choice for your protection. With the right security camera, you can monitor suspicious activity, learn ways to avoid liabilities, and receive forewarning of a potentially harmful situation.

This guide outlines the benefits and features to look for in a security camera, along with advice on installing a hidden or non-hidden camera.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Outlining Features: When choosing your security camera, keep in mind the features that will help you better monitor your home. This guide reviews some of the best features to look out for, including HD video, IP camera systems, and night vision.
• Hidden Versus Non-Hidden Security Camera: The writer of this guide notes the importance of planning ahead when shopping around for your security camera. Where would you place it? Do you want the security camera hidden or in plain sight?
• Privacy Laws: This guide emphasizes that if you opt for a hidden security camera, it also pays to be aware of the privacy laws in your state. Most states allow you to record areas that can be viewed by the public, but some have strict laws regarding audio recordings (in case your security camera can record sounds). Make sure to check your state laws before purchasing a security camera for your home.

2. Outdoor Security Camera Buyer’s Guide

The process of selecting a security camera is overwhelming, especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. Getting lost in a sea of industry jargon makes it difficult to differentiate between all the features in order to pick out what’s best for you.

This guide understands that not everyone is a security camera enthusiast, and most buyers are looking for a one-time purchase to protect their home. With an easy-to-follow outline, this article provides guidance on everything a buyer needs to know about picking a quality outdoor security camera.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Complete Description of Outdoor Security Camera Types: The writer of this guide knows their audience well. For any beginner entering the foray of security cameras, this guide breaks down the different types of cameras to consider in a comprehensible way. They also include a reference of the top security brands and their best-selling cameras.
• Breakdown of Technical Jargon: New buyers encounter many unfamiliar technical terms during their search for their first security camera. This guide comprehensively explains some of the common technical vocabulary and acronyms while explaining the benefits of different camera types.
• Considerations for Purchase: Every buyer has a different set of needs, and this guide provides tips for assessing your home before purchasing a camera. It suggests keeping in mind where you’d like to install your security camera and the size of the area you want to monitor. Then it provides camera suggestions based on placement.

3. Thinking of Buying a Security Camera? Read This First

No system is perfect, and security cameras come with their own set of vulnerabilities. However, being aware of the drawbacks can help you make better decisions when it comes to selecting a security camera for your home.

Before dropping a bundle on a system that doesn’t meet your expectations, this guide provides honest insight on the performance and features of security cameras.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Honest Feedback: While most guides only feature the benefits of security cameras, this guide sheds light on common drawbacks that most new buyers may not consider. Limitations to security cameras, like range for wireless cameras or lag time, are big factors to keep in mind when making a purchase.
• Security Risks: Most new buyers are unaware that IP or wireless security cameras are vulnerable to hacking. Although the guide lists steps you can take to secure your connection, the author is upfront about the possibility of hackers accessing your security camera.
• Helpful Suggestions: Upon first glance, a guide to security camera drawbacks may seem a little negative. However, it’s actually a positive thing to arm buyers with questions and awareness for selecting a high-quality security camera. For every possible issue, the guide provides suggestions to avoid the problem and actions that buyers can take to better enhance their security camera experience.

Best Guides for Installing Security Cameras

One of the first things to keep in mind when purchasing a security camera is where you want to install it. Your decision depends on several factors, including your preference, security areas, and even your home or yard layout.

If this is your first time installing a security camera, then following tips from the experts can make the process much simpler. Knowing what to look for will help you find the perfect place for your security camera, along with some general tips about installation.

4. Suggested Areas to Place Your Security Camera

If you’re looking for inspiration on places to install your security camera, then this brief guide gives you an overview of your options. Depending on the areas you want to monitor, you can select the ideas that work best for you. You may even decide to add more security cameras to increase your home surveillance.

Highlights from the Guide:

• Comprehensive List: This guide may be short, but it has plenty of information regarding the uses of security cameras. Covering the whole house, from the front door to the pool area, this guide condenses several great ideas into a short and comprehensive list.
• Breakdown of Placement Ideas: Instead of only providing general ideas about security camera placement, you also get logical reasons why their suggestions may work. The guide acknowledges how particular placements may provide a solution to a home issue.
• Additional Protection Suggestions: There may be areas of your home that you don’t realize are vulnerable to theft or vandalism. If you’re looking for more than just basic protection, this list provides you with suggestions on security camera placement and finding solutions that work best for your home.

5. Top 4 Tips on Where to Place Home Security Cameras

Knowing where you want to place your security camera is only half the battle.Selecting one that will operate effortlessly in the area you picked out is another challenge within itself. This guide provides tips for figuring out where you want your security camera along with common mistakes to avoid during installation.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Finding the Perfect Placement: The perfect placement of a security camera is objective to the buyer. This guide starts off with a list of questions to ask yourself before purchasing a security camera. With a few simple answers, you can quickly figure out which areas of your home you want to monitor.
• Mistakes to Avoid: First-time buyers may not know the ins and outs of security camera placement. What seems obvious may not work for your surveillance system. Having realistic expectations will help you find the best solutions for monitoring your property.
• A Note About Law: When it comes to monitoring your own home, it’s easy to forget there are laws regarding surveillance. The end of this guide touches on the legal side of security cameras. To ensure you’re in compliance with the local and federal surveillance laws, check with your state and US legislature.

6. 5 Best Places to Install Home Security Cameras: Your Complete Guide to Security Camera Installation

When selecting your security camera, placement plays a huge part in the final decision. Security cameras are not created equal, and different designs work better in certain areas of the home. This guide outlines several ideas for security camera placement along with expert suggestions on products that can optimize the space.

Once you have your placement and product picked out, it’s time to move on to installation. This guide outlines several tips for getting the most out of your camera placement and even weighs the benefits of going with a professional installer. If you’re serious about adding a security camera to your home, this guide will help you figure out the best way to get it in there.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Expert Tips: This guide understands the importance of picking the right camera for your home. In addition to showing buyers what to consider when it comes to security camera placement, they also provide expert suggestions on products that best fit the areas you want to monitor. With this guide handy, you’ll know exactly what you want to order when it’s time to buy.
• Installation Guide: You have your security camera. Now what? This guide provides details on the process of installing your camera to ensure the best results. From placement to angle to how many you need, you can confidently install a security camera with their comprehensive list.
• Professional Benefits: If you’ve read through the guide and still feel uncomfortable about installing on your own, they also outline the benefits of hiring a professional. They even accurately point out that most security systems will install for you after purchase. So, if you’re hung up about trying to install your security camera, never fear! This guide will provide you with alternative solutions to see it through.

Best Guides for Protecting Your Security Cameras

You purchased a security camera to protect your home. But what about protecting your security camera? Most homeowners neglect the fact that while their surveillance system may make their property more secure, their security cameras can also be just as vulnerable to criminal activity or natural elements.

Fortunately, simple measures like disguising your camera and downloading security software will keep your system as secure as your property. Read through these guides for ideas and tips on protecting your security camera.

7. 8 Best Tips to Protect Outdoor Security Cameras Like A Pro

A lot can happen to your outdoor security camera. Between vandalism, hacking, and even just normal outdoor elements, your camera can be damaged or compromised in several different ways. This guide is a comprehensive list of common risks and simple solutions to keep your security camera protected.

Highlights From This guide:

• Outdoor Elements: Placing a security camera outdoors leaves it vulnerable to the elements, like bugs, lightning, and other inclement weather. This guide outlines some risks of the great outdoors that could impact your security camera’s performance, along with some suggestions for protection.
• Vandalism Deterrents: While you may have purchased a security camera in hopes of protecting your home, the camera itself could become a target for vandalism and criminals. In most cases, the first thing they would do is tamper or damage your camera to prevent being caught on film. This guide outlines how to prevent damage to your camera with protective covers and placement.
• Software Protection: If you purchased an IP video security camera, you may have to worry about more than just physical threats. Hackers and other criminals could possibly invade your privacy and even view your camera images due to gaps in your security software. This guide outlines several risks due to security camera software and steps you can take to avoid them.

8. How to Hide Security Cameras for Home Security

Disguising your security camera is an effective way to keep your system from being tampered with by unwitting criminals. While some argue that security cameras could be a criminal deterrence, they are also just as vulnerable to vandalism or damage if a burglar really wanted to make their way into your home.

Placing your security camera in an inconspicuous location or hiding it within an everyday object will keep your home and your surveillance system well-protected. This guide outlines different ways you can effectively disguise your security camera.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Hiding Suggestions: Now that you know the benefits of hiding your security camera, it’s time to decide how you want to disguise it. This guide kicks off with a list of suggestions for hiding your indoor and outdoor security cameras, so they effortlessly blend in with their surroundings.
• Decoy Cameras: Although the guide advocates hiding and disguising security cameras for protection, it also concedes that security cameras can be a great deterrent for criminals. With that in mind, they suggest placing decoy cameras around your property to stop crime before it starts – or, to capture any vandalism if someone decides to damage your decoy cameras.
• Other Deterrents: Security cameras can do a lot for protecting your property, but an effective security system requires more than just a few well-placed recording devices. Along with good lighting and signs advertising your home security system, you can effectively protect your home.

9. How to Prevent Your Home Security Camera from Being Hacked

Purchasing a Wifi enabled camera may give you the ability to monitor your home from your smartphone or mobile device. However, that convenience may come at a price. As most major company security breaches have taught us, any computer software is vulnerable to hacking and viruses. That includes security cameras that rely on IP or Wifi connections.

Even if the chances of hacking are slim, most homeowners are concerned with protecting themselves and their security system from possible attacks. This guide outlines simple measures you can take to prevent hackers from accessing your security camera connection.

Highlights From This Guide:

• Technology Breakdown: Discussing hacking tactics and Internet security risks can get confusing pretty fast if you lack knowledge of technology. Fortunately, this guide is written for security camera owners who may not be tech-savvy. They provide clear explanations for different technical terms and practices you should be aware of when using a Wifi enabled security device.
• Common Hacking Tactics: To protect yourself from a hacker, you have to think like a hacker. This article breaks down some of the more common hacking tactics you should be aware of in order to protect your home security system.
• Preventative Measures: You don’t need to be a master of technology to protect your security software from hackers. This guide outlines some simple steps you can take to keep your camera connection secure.

A little research goes a long way for finding the security camera that best fits your home and needs. With these guides, you’re on your way to better protect your home with a high-quality security camera.