Creating a Smart Home

Making my home as comfortable as possible was very important to me because that is my favorite place to be.  After a long day of work, I can't wait to go home (and do nothing).  One reason why I love my home so much is because some of my conveniences are a voice command away.  Below is a list of some of my favorite things that I use to create my smart home: 

Amazon Echo

I call Alexa's name more than I yell out for one of my children.  She is my homegirl!  We have Amazon Echos in all three bedrooms and in the kitchen.  While cooking, I tell Alexa to set the timer, if I am in a mood to hear a certain song, I tell Alexa to play it, if I need to know the time, I ask Alexa, she just about has the answer to my questions and can do my commands.  She's inexpensive too!  I have her connected to my Ecobee (smart thermostat) as well. 

Ecobee thermostat

I replaced my regular Honeywell thermostat with my Ecobee and I never looked back.  You can control the thermostat several ways:  Voice command with Alexa (as mentioned above), you can download the app and control it from your phone and/or tablet whether you're home or not.  Ecobee can also be controlled through a smart hub, an Xfinity Home Security System app, and I'm sure there are other smart devices that are compatible with it too.  I love that if I forget to turn the temperature down before I leave home, I can quickly do it from my phone.  Since having my Ecobee, my energy bills has decreased significantly.  I also have a second sensor, so it can detect when someone is at home.  You can customize sleep settings, time when you want certain temperatures, it just does a lot.  To read more on Ecobee’s features and models clickhere.

Sengled Light Bulbs

I remember when I was younger and there was a commercial about a product called "The Clapper" where you can cut on and off your lights with a hand clap (oh great, now the catchy jingle to the commercial is in my head now).  Well, no need to clap with smart light bulbs.  They are voice command, controlled by an app on your mobile device, controlled via a smart hub, etc.  There are several brands, but Sengled is my brand of choice.  These smart bulbs have other features as well! You can change the hue, adjust the brightness, dim it, designate them to certain rooms, there are not just regular light bulbs, these are light bulbs with personality and an IQ.

Xfinity Home

I love this home security system.  They constantly update it too!  You can use their cameras or use cameras of another brand and it will be compatible.  Their equipment is compatible with people who switched from Brinks, ADT, or other security companies too.  Xfinity be on it whenever something isn’t right, I had a false alarm (it was something I did) and they responded immediately.  They also give you an android tablet as a hub to control your system with.  You can also download the Xfinity Home app and control your system through your smart phones and tablets, including IOS.  Through the app, you can control your other smart devices in your home that are compatible so that you don’t have to open a different app for every little smart task.  Just open your Xfinity Home app and control your devices from there.  So simple.

Siri

Siri is everywhere: my Apple watch, my iPhone, my iPad, my Apple Carplay (my car), I don't have to talk to her much while at home due to my other smart devices, but she's there.  If Alexa can't answer it, Siri more than likely can. 

I have other smart devices, but the devices that I named are the ones that I use almost daily.  If you don't have a smart home set up and don't know where to begin, I would recommend starting off with an Amazon Echo.  If you want to link all smart devices together, you would need a smart hub.  If you get an Amazon Echo plus, then you would not need to purchase a separate device that will serve as your hub.  AMAZON Echo plus IS a smart hub amongst other things (a bluetooth speaker, personal assistant, etc.) so in other words, if you do not have any smart devices, get an Amazon Echo plus before you get anything else.  If you want Amazon Echos in other rooms in your home, I would recommend that you get Amazon Echo Dots (they don't take up much space, can do what you ask and are inexpensive).  As far as smart thermostats, ComEd and Nicor has a program where you can get them at a discount.  I will be writing a separate detailed blog post about that soon.  

Question of the Day:  What smart devices do you have or want?