Save Money With Home Automation

Save Money With Home Automation

How to Save Money With Home Automation

Because of their ease, smart devices are becoming increasingly popular. The option to monitor your house while you’re away is appealing to many people, especially given how smart home technology may provide you with peace of mind while you’re away. Smart devices can even assist you in keeping your home tidy! However, when it comes to money saving, home automation can be beneficial to your budget. Today on the blog, Specialized AV, best whole home automation company, shares how to save money with home automation. 

Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats function by learning your habits and patterns of behavior (such as when you’re at home versus when you’re not) and then remembering those preferences to manage the temperature in your house. Assume you regularly wake up at 6 a.m. and want your house to be 72 degrees at that time. You leave the house at 8 a.m. for work and it remains unoccupied until 5 or 6 p.m., allowing the heat to be turned down. Some smart thermostats include a motion sensor and automatically adjust if they don’t detect human motion for a few hours, while others allow you to specify temperature preferences via an app.

In addition, many smart thermostats are voice-controlled if you want to operate them hands-free while at home. Thus, our Smart Home Automation and Wifi Sacramento his smart device’s minor tweaks add up to hundreds of dollars in savings.

Plug-in Hybrids

Using smart plugs, you can integrate your favorite small appliances into your smart home environment. Smart plugs operate through an app. Thus, allowing you to control whatever device is plugged into them. While this theoretically means you can now turn off the lamp without leaving your couch, it’s not their main benefit. Additionally, smart plugs help you save money by allowing you to turn your lights on and off while at work. As follows, it works by preventing equipment that are always plugged in. Luckily, they  don’t drain emergency and increase your cost. It’s not a good idea to plug heaters or huge appliances into smart plugs. However, if you want to automate something with a low energy use you should be fine.

Smart Lighting

Smart lights are light bulbs that can be controlled remotely via an app or a smart hub. Our Whole Home Automation near me explains that it can control the brightness, color, hue (ideal for parties), and, of course, whether they are turned on or off remotely. Smart lights help you save money on your electric bill by limiting the number of lights in your home that are turned on, how long they are turned on for, and how brilliantly they burn. According to the government, these lights can save you up to $75 each year.

Contact Specialized AV For Whole Home Automation Services

Whole home automation is all the rage for homeowners looking to simplify their lives. Contact our team at Specialized Audio and Video Inc. to learn more! We’d love to help you transform your home. 

Perks of a Smart Home

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Perks of a Smart Home in Sacramento

It is vital to keep moving forward and not to get left in the past. When it comes to your own home, it helps to stay up to date on renovations. With the advancement of technology such as cellphones, from being bulky to carry to an easy slip into your pocket, one of the most significant advancements today is the Smart House. Below, our Sacramento AV experts discuss the perks of a smart home. 

What is a Smart House?

A smart house is a home setup where appliances and devices are controlled automatically from anywhere using an internet connection from a phone or network device. You can make it easier for yourself to manage your at-home devices with a touch of your phone. 

Some are debating updating their home or thinking that it is a way for their homeowner friends to show off. There are a few advantages to having a smart house that will pay off over time. 

All In One Place

One of the most significant advantages is how convenient this can be for you. With all your devices and appliances installed, there is primarily an app for easy access to your home. Gone are the days of learning how all the different ways of how to get your devices to work. A simple tap on the app will give you the full functionality to be in control. 

Remote Access

With cars being able to start up before you even sit inside, your house can do the same. Imagine a hot day, and the inside of your home is burning up. Have access to control the temperature while being out of the house. So when you arrive, the place is nice and cool for your pleasure. Or what if you lost your house keys? Not a problem. With smart home automation, you’ll still be able to unlock your home with a push of a button. 

Maximized Security 

Be the eye in the sky. With security surveillance products such as Ring and Nest, you are more alert about what is happening inside and outside your home. Receive notifications linked to your phone or tablet about when visitors are at the door if there is a leak in your home and everyone has to evacuate and scare off intruders trying to break in. Have a 24/7 birdseye view of your home to ensure that you and your family stay safe.  Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, who specialize in garage door services, also point out that smart homes will alert you when your garage door is open or close.

Cost/Energy Efficient

Be able to save money when having a Smart Home. For example, if you have a smart thermostat that knows how you like your temperature settings throughout the day, then it will learn and program the best temperature for you that is the most efficient. You will be able to save an average of 9-16% on your heating and 15-23% on your cooling cost. 

Contact Specialized AV

There are many perks of a smart home in Sacramento. If you are looking to upgrade your home with the latest technology, Specialized AV is here to help. Give us a call or explore our website more to learn about our AV services and products and ask for a quote. 

Misconceptions About Smart Home Automation

misconceptions about smart home automation - Specialized Audio Video Sacramento

Misconceptions About Smart Home Automation

Looking back, smart home automation has come a long way. Smart home automation will continue to grow, which just means more and more Sacramento homeowners will have smart homes. For those who are a little cautious about smart home technology, consider the misconceptions about smart home automation below.

Smart Home Automation 

Home automation systems allow homeowners to control lights, security cameras, entertainment systems, HVAC systems all from a smartphone or tablet. This advanced technology truly makes life so much easier. Many people have misconceptions about their efficacy, cost, how they function, and why they should be invested in. Our smart home automation installers share the truth in the following article. 

Myth #1 – Smart Home Automation Is Expensive & Time Consuming to Install

Contrary to common opinion, smart homes can be as affordable or as expensive as you want them to be. For example, if a person wants a custom-built design with only connected devices, the price would almost certainly be higher than anticipated.

However, updating in stages will cause the value to fluctuate. So, if you’re just getting started and want to dive into the world of home automation, a smart switch would be a great place to start. These switches, which can be operated by a smartphone, tablet, or voice command, allow you to manage individual lights, curtains, electrical appliances, and other devices, enhancing user experience and providing comfort on a daily basis.

Install additional devices as and when they suit the budget from here on out. When it comes to installation, home automation devices with sleek and compact designs are simple. They can be easily and efficiently incorporated into your home. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing, a company that offers home remodeling services, recommend getting smart home automation installed from the get-go (if you can). 

Myth #2 – Smart Home Users Must Be Tech Savy

Another common fallacy that prevents people from embracing smart technology is the belief that it would be too difficult to use. It should be noted that the vast majority of devices are either wireless or feature plug-and-play ease of use. Furthermore, if users choose to use voice commands, incorporating a smart speaker into the mix will work wonders.

Once your devices are connected to your home WiFi network, simple onscreen instructions must be followed to monitor appliances effectively. Even though this may seem to be a difficult job, it only takes a few clicks to turn your home into a smart one.

Myth #3 – Smart Devices Use a Lot of Power

Surprisingly, smart devices have the opposite effect. They are built with power consumption in mind and are energy efficient. They will adapt to your behaviors and desires without requiring you to input a predetermined schedule. As a result, they use less power than traditional devices by actively observing user insights and trends to save resources.

The actual energy savings will be determined by the type of system you choose and its automation capabilities. However, device suppliers say that the devices will help customers save between 10% and 15% on their heating and cooling bills. the source

Myth #4 – Smart Home Security Is Easily Breached

Another source of worry for many customers is the risk of stolen personal information or a data breach. Most businesses go to great lengths to ensure that smart devices are tamper-proof, maintaining protection and privacy. There are, however, a few steps you can take. Using a secure firewall on your router, for example, and installing encryption are effective ways to protect the information in the event that a hacker gains unauthorized access.

It is also a wise decision to thoroughly protect all devices equipped with cameras and vocal microphones. As in all aspects of home automation, there is no excuse not to feel absolutely secure inside your own home if proper planning is done. Our smart home devices at Specialized Audio and Video are fail-safe and provide you with all the security you need to keep yourself and your family members safe.

Myth #5: Building a Smart Home Isn’t a Good Investment.

This is commonly posed by those who are unwilling to spend money on home automation, but as previously mentioned, updating your home with smart technology is not always costly. Smart home solutions also provide concerned parents with an excellent way to keep an eye on their children while they are away from home.

Home automation, on the other hand, makes life more convenient and safer. Furthermore, any investment in a smart device yields an instant return on investment. There is typically an immediate advantage, whether it makes your life faster, better, or more available.

Furthermore, if you plan to sell your house, smart home technology, and home automation systems will increase both the desirability and the overall price. If not, you as a homeowner will benefit from using these devices on a regular basis.

Contact Specialized Audio and Video for a smart home estimate today! We service Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and more. Our audio and video techs look forward to hearing from you soon.

Advantages of Smart Home Automation

advantages of smart home automation - Specialized AV

Smart Home Automation

With the rise of technology development, there seems to be a smart device for just about everything, from smartphones to home security cameras, lighting, audio, thermostats, etc. Let’s face it, having a smart device, or a smart home will make your life easier. In this article, we discuss some of the advantages of smart home automation. 

What is Smart Home Automation?

Smart home technology consists of devices, appliances, or systems that connect via network. From the touch of a button, this technology can be controlled independently or remotely by your smartphone or mobile device. With smart home automation, users can increase their home’s functionality like never before. For example, you can schedule your lights to come on automatically and set your thermostat to turn the A/C on before you return home from work. Smart home automation makes life more convenient and enjoyable!

Big Advantages of Having a Smart Home

1. Manage All of Your Home Devices From One Place

Most people choose to integrate home automation because of the convenience factor alone. Managing your home from one interface saves you time and money. It’s easy to manage, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Once the device is set up, all you have to do is download the app to your smartphone or tablet, and from there, you can tap into all your devices.

2. Flexibility for New Devices and Appliances

New smart home devices seem to come out every other day. Luckily, smart home automation allows users to easily integrate new technology. Whether you’re replacing older systems or adding new ones to your space, the process can be done seamlessly. 

3. Maximizing Home Security and Safety

In this day and age, security systems are a must-have for homeowners. With an increase in crime, protecting your home with a security system seems like a no-brainer. You’ll never have to wonder what’s going on while your away. 

There are thousands of home security systems you can choose from at Specialized AV. It just depends on your needs! You have the choice of 24/hour video surveillance, automated door locks, motion detectors, etc. The best part about home automation systems is that you can receive security alerts and view live footage on your smartphone from anywhere.

4. Remote Control of Home Functions

Being able to control your home from a distance is incredibly convenient. Suppose you’re on vacation and need to turn your inside lights on or preheat the oven while you’re at the grocery store. Smart home automation systems are like having your own personal assistant. You can adjust the thermostat or turn on the tv without having to physically be there.   

5. Increased Energy Efficiency

Many smart-home technologies have the ability to save your home energy. Energy-efficient products like a smart thermostat can learn your heating and cooling habits and suggest the best way to save energy. Home lighting controls can also help reduce your energy bills by turning lights on and off automatically when entering or leaving a room. 

6. Improved Appliance Functionality

Another benefit of smart home automation is that it helps you run your appliances better. As mentioned before, this technology is like having a personal assistant! For example, a smart oven will help you cook your meals without undercooking or overcooking them. Additionally, smart kitchen appliances can easily be monitored from your smartphone, so you’ll know exactly how much you’re saving on energy bills. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing, a kitchen remodeling company in Appleton, WI, agrees that smart home appliances are a true game-changer in any home.

7. Home Management Insights

With smart home automation, you’ll not only be able to manage your home from your smartphone, but you’ll also get insight into how your home operates. Find out how often your children watch TV, how often you do loads of laundry, etc. With this data, you can better understand your energy consumption habits and make adjustments however, you please.  

8. Resale Value

One benefit of smart home automation that homeowners often forget about its resale value. Since smart home technology is on the rise, more than ever before, you are more likely to get a higher resale value for your home. Who wouldn’t want a smart home? 

Professional Smart Home Services

Now that you know some of the benefits of smart home automation, you can decide if it’s worth the investment. If you have any questions about our professional, smart home automation services, Specialized AV is here to help. We’ve been serving the Sacramento valley, Bay Area, and beyond since 2003. Contact us today, and we’ll give you an estimate for your commercial or residential property.