Are Smart Homes Worth The Investment?

are smart homes worth the investment?

Smart Homes Worth The Investment?

The advancement and development of technology have made a big impact on how our world works. With smartphones, voice assistants, other smart home appliances have all piqued people’s interest. Additionally, smart home automation has become very popular and can be found in a lot of new builds in the Greater Sacramento area. Smart homes make life easier and more comfortable, which is why you can expect to see more and more smart homes come to life. So, are smart homes worth the investment? In this article, our Sacramento AV experts discuss whether or not smart homes are worth it.

What Motivates People to Invest in Smart Homes?

Smart homes are extremely useful because they make our lives easier. They provide greater security, safety, and comfort than a typical house. They’re also good for the environment, and they’ll save you money in the long run! With a smart home, you’re making an investment with a potential for profit. Your quality of life will improve dramatically, you’ll save money in the long run, and your home’s resale value will rise as a result.

You can improve your smart home experience by investing $1,000-$3,000 in a smart hub. Despite the fact that smart home systems primarily offer convenience, style, and security, a smart home is a worthwhile investment for a variety of reasons.

Comfortable & Convenient 

The greatest benefit of having a smart home is the comfort and convenience it offers. It raises the bar on efficiency. They also make us more easily accessible and safer. Changing the temperature of your home, controlling the lighting, playing music, or closing the blinds can all be done without getting up from your couch.

Levels of Control

A smart home offers impressive levels of control. You can manage all of your smart home devices with a single app or device. Isn’t that amazing? By the time you wake up in the morning, you can have the temperature of your shower set and your coffee brewing!

Time Saver

Smart homes save their owners a lot of time. The settings can be adjusted based on what activities you want to perform when and when not. You are not required to be physically present at all times in order to complete your work.

A Second Hand

Smart homes can step in when you’re away at work and need someone to come in for routine cleaning or repair work. If you have a smart home system, you can open the doors remotely to let the workers in.

Stay Alert

If something goes wrong, your smart home will send you a notification right away. If someone tries to rob your house, you will be alerted right away that someone is in your house without your permission. The intruder can be quickly apprehended if you notify the appropriate authorities right away.

Because of the increased security that smart homes provide, they’re a wise investment. In comparison to conventional homes, smart homes with installed cameras and other security camera systems are far safer. Having a smart home is also a good option for those who have elderly family members living in residence. They will be more self-sufficient and enjoy a better quality of life if they can use voice commands to control various devices and appliances.

Smart Appliances

Smart homes allow you to control other aspects of your house from a distance in addition to your appliances. If you have a smartphone, you can use voice commands to lock your doors, make phone calls, and perform a slew of other actions. You can also use this technology to automate tasks like watering your lawn and feeding your pet, so they happen on your schedule. Our friends at Tureks Plumbing, who specializes in home remodeling, say smart home appliances make everyday tasks so much easier. In fact, they’re worth trying out.

Energy Efficient

You’ll save a lot of money on your energy bills with a smart home. Using automation to control your home’s heating and cooling systems will save you money and energy. By learning your schedule and temperature preferences, a programmable smart thermostat can optimize your comfort levels.

Contact Specialized AV

To sum it all up, smart homes are more valuable as an investment because of their higher resale value. Home automation features like smart security, climate control, appliances, and entertainment are in high demand, making smart homes very popular. Smart homes are the perfect investment for anyone in the market to buy or upgrade a home. If you’d like to transform your home into a smart home, contact Specialized Audio and Video for an estimate on smart home installation services in the Greater Sacramento area. 

 

Why Home Network Is Important

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Why a Home Network Is Important to Have In Your Sacramento Home

A home network or wifi network is a collection of gadgets that link to the internet and each other. This is considered to be phones, tablets, computers, smart home technology, and gaming systems. This technology can communicate with each other while in the neighborhood of the house by linking. A home network can connect devices both wired and wirelessly. A wired network requires devices to be connected by cables, whereas a wireless network allows devices to communicate without the use of wires. The adoption of new technology has made a home network as valuable as other household utilities such as gas and television for many families. In this article, our Sacramento audio and video team explains why home network is important for any household.

Benefits of a Home Network

  • A home network allows you to connect to the internet from different devices and share music, photos, and data among networked devices.
  • It enables the streaming of movies, music, and other forms of entertainment across many devices.
  • Streaming gadgets, gaming systems, and clever televisions have enabled us to consume a vast variety of information.
  • It allows you to share resources such as printers and scanners. When connected to a home network, for example, many computers can print to a single printer.
  • Additionally, it simplifies the management of smart home devices such as thermostats, cameras, and security systems.
  • It gives you the ability to improve your smart home automation devices by smoothly linking them to an automated house.
  • Your enjoyment of entertainment, for example, is linked to a home network. Nobody wants to see a spinning wheel or a shuttering display while attempting to view their favorite show or movie, which is why a strong and healthy network is crucial.

How to Secure Home Network 

  • Hire a professional for home network installation.
  • Protect your home network with essential security tools like a firewall and a network password.
  • Manage cables and wires to assist preserve the basic functionality of cables and to protect devices from obstructed airflow.
  • Keep an eye on your network speed to see if there are any problems with your bandwidth.
  • Finally, keep your networking equipment protected from light, heat, moisture, and dust.

Contact Specialized AV

Now that you know why a home network is important to have, you can make the steps to have the best home network system. Unfortunately, if not protected, a home network can become a playground for harmful actions carried out by those with evil intent. As we rely more on home networks, it is critical to invest in the initial architecture and technology to assure the quickest speeds and greatest levels of security. Whether you want to get started with a strong network or you need to update your present network to keep it running smoothly, Specialized AV provides a variety of solutions for strong, high-quality network technology. Our Sacramento AV company proudly serves the Greater Sacramento area and beyond. Also, follow Specialized AV on Facebook to stay up to date on our latest projects.

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. 

Smart Locks for a Keyless Home

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Smart Locks for a Keyless Home

About Smart Locks for a Keyless Home

In this day and age, smart locks are the new normal, whether it’s a keyless push-to-start vehicle or a keyless entry to your home. Smart locks eliminate the need to carry around your keys. With a simple code or app, you can unlock your front door within seconds. In this article, our smart home automation experts discuss smart locks for a keyless home. 

What to Look for When Purchasing Smart Locks

Knowing the many types of electronic door locks will help you decide the best smart locks for a keyless home. In the event of a battery or technical failure, most electronic locks will still have a physical key option. Several of the locks will also offer a combination of keyless options, making them worth every penny.

Bluetooth Smart Locks

Bluetooth smart locks provide a variety of locking options. The device can detect when you’re within a certain range and unlock the door automatically as you approach. You can also use your phone or key fob to unlock the door. Bluetooth consumes little energy, allowing it to run for longer periods of time on a single charge. Our friends at LMS Garage Doors, who offer garage door services, say most homes have several Bluetooth smart devices. It’s easy to access everything from your phone. 

Biometric Smart Locks

Fingerprint entry can be incredibly convenient, especially for small organizations that want to ensure that only authorized staff has access to sensitive information or pricey products. They are simple to program and frequently support up to 100 fingerprints.

RFID Smart Locks

This strategy is most common in workplaces. It enables the use of a key fob or card to open doors. The fob/card must be pressed against the RFID reader in most cases, but others can be opened from a distance.

Keypad Smart Locks

To unlock the door, keypads require a pin number. They are simple to set up and allow you to assign multiple pin numbers to different people or alter the pin code at any moment, making them ideal for landlords. When a renter’s lease expires, just replace the pin code with a new one for the next renter. The majority of keypads these days are touchscreen. However, a handful will still have physical keys to press.

Wi-Fi Connected Smart Locks

Some locking systems can be linked to a hub, enabling Wi-Fi connectivity and increasing functionality. With a Wi-Fi-enabled lock, you can simply track who opens and closes the door.

Smart Locks: Homeowners, Renters, & Business Owners 

Within the last year, the crime rate in Sacramento has risen, which is why it’s crucial to keeping your home and family protected. Smart locks are an excellent way to ensure that your front door is locked and that you get no more surprise visitors. Did you know that burglars say they will target another home if they discover a security system or smart home keyless home entry? If you’re planning on installing smart home automation products like smart locks, you should keep in mind that it is different for homeowners and renters. 

If You Own a House or Commercial Building

You don’t have to worry about which smart locks you put on your doors if you own your home. As the homeowner, you can do whatever you want with your property. If you’re looking to upgrade to a keyless option, try to find a smart lock that has the above features. This can also be said for commercial property owners. Our friends at Headwaters Construction, Inc., a general contractor Sacramento, highly recommends getting smart locks for your property since it adds value. So, if you ever decide to sell or rent, smart locks are a great feature.

If You Rent Your House or Commercial Building

If you live in a rental home or lease a building, it doesn’t mean you can’t install smart locks. It simply means you’ll have to go through a little more trouble to do so. When you decide to change the locks on your rental property, most landlords will ask you to supply them with a key. As a result, if you decide to put smart locks on your rental property, you should first call your landlord and find out what they require.

You may wish to provide evidence for your reasons for wanting to install smart locks. Then, if the landlord agrees to let you put smart locks on the rental property, make sure you obtain it in writing. This will keep you from having to pay for any alleged damages when you leave.

Types of Smart Locks 

As you could imagine, there are several different types of smart door locks available on the market. To help you choose which smart lock you prefer, continue reading below. 

  • Keypad & Combination Smart Locks – These require a pin or code to get into your home but can also be opened via key. Many new homes in the Sacramento area have keypad locks. 
  • Keyless & Wireless Smart Locks – This type of lock is operated off of Wi-Fi. Users can unlock and lock the door remotely with your app or button. Some are even compatible with Alexa. 
  • Fob Enabled Smart Lock – As you may have guessed, these types of locks use a key-fob to unlock the door. Just hold the fob up to the door, and the door will unlock. 
  • Fingerprint & Biometric Smart Locks – These smart locks are less common than others. However, smart fingerprint locks are one of the newer creations. Your fingerprint ensures that no one can get into your door without you.

 

Contact Specialized Audio and Video

As you can see, smart locks are a great feature to have in your home. They make coming and going from your home easy! If you’re interested in smart locks or smart home automation installation, contact Specialized AV today. Our team is happy to help with all kinds of audio and video services, security systems, Wi-Fi networks, structured wiring, and more. We proudly serve the Greater Sacramento area and beyond.

Home Automation System – One Smart Device to Rule Them All Remotely

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Home Automation System

Home automation systems are becoming more popular in the Sacramento Valley and nationally expected to top $100 billion in sales by 2020. Remote control units have always been designed to increase the functionality of the systems they come with while providing convenience to people. But when you have different remote control units each for climate control system, home entertainment, lighting, and security camera systems, that’s having one too many.

It may seem like a minor inconvenience handling different remote controls inside your household or commercial property, but almost every property owner knows that remote controls can be easily misplaced. And instead of enjoying your downtime at home, finding the right remote control for the system you are going to use can add to your confusion. Luxury home automation manufacturer, Savant has one remote for almost everything in your home! Read more about it here in this article from Forbes. 

A home automation system integrates various components of your home’s different systems into a single unit. By upgrading with this system, you can conveniently enjoy your home’s various units with just one smart device to control everything. Devices aside, homeowners are choosing home automation for safety, security, and peace of mind.

A Task Best Left to the Experts

Here at Specialized AV, we understand your needs and motivations. We know that you want a powerful yet easy-to-use system that provides you with greater control without the hassles of dealing with several remote control units and all the woes associated with that. We know that you’d want to hear your favorite tunes streamed to different parts of your household, enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows, control the lights, and even bolster home security. You can do all of those and more through home automation.

Although it is possible to go the DIY route with this task, it is certainly better to leave it to the experts who have the knowledge, experience, and yes, even the tools to get the job done right the first time and in a hardwired and reliable system.

One System to Rule Them All:

An automation system can control various systems inside a dwelling or commercial property, including their subsystems. These systems include:

Climate Control

Automating this system offers the benefits of greater control, efficiency and even savings on energy bills. With just one console, you can turn heaters and AC units on and off.

Home Entertainment

Whether you want to enjoy your favorite music anywhere in your home or watch movies in your den, we can integrate all the systems involved in one handy console.

Lighting

Switching lights located in different parts of your home on and off can be one great inconvenience after a difficult day at work. With a universal remote control, you can easily turn different lights inside your home on and off and even set a timer for these.

Security

Through automation, you can enjoy greater functionality from your property’s security cameras. With an automated system, viewing, controlling the cameras, recording and taking snapshots have never been easier.

Access Control

Allows you the ability to open and close home doors, garage doors, gates, etc. when you are away from

home. This can be a great tool for allowing people access like maid services, family, friends, etc without having to give copies of your keys out. This is also a good tool for the person who looks on their cameras and notices he left the garage wide open.

Pool/Spa Control

Control everything on your Pool/Spa system. Turn deck jets on/off, control temperature, control schedules, lights, etc. from your Smart Device

Irrigation

Control schedules, turn system on/off, etc.