Lowe’s, Home Depot and Sears are among the big names getting in on the smart home game. All of these retail giants now have sections devoted specifically to smart thermostats, lights, door locks and more. This has led to a surge of DIY smart home installations. But over time, many users realize these solutions are not so convenient or as easy to install as promised. In this blog, we'll focus on five problems that are giving homeowners headaches throughout McKinney, TX and showcase how a professional home automation system can be a better approach.

SEE MORE: What is the Best Way to Control Your Smart Home?

Forgetting About the Network

When smart home devices are not performing as promised, the problem is not always with the equipment itself. The reason that these devices are smart is that they’re a part of the Internet of Things. They communicate with each other or the cloud to optimize their performance. Every new product you bring into your home adds to the strain on your network.

The first step in any installation, whether it’s DIY or a professional home automation system, has to be strengthening the network. Create the right pathway for traffic to flow with a hardwired solution designed to deal with the added bandwidth. Make sure to plan ahead. Find out where these devices will be installed and ensure you have a reliable network ‘hot spot' in that area.

Buying Too Many Smart Devices

Sometimes it’s only after installation that you realize you actually didn’t need a mattress that reports on your sleeping habits. We recommend meeting with a home technology professional to let him know your needs and priorities. He can then advise you on what smart technology you should include in your home and the best companies to work with.

Buying Incompatible Devices

One reason you want to make sure you’re buying the right devices is compatibility. You’ve bought new smart lights so that you can use your Amazon Alexa to turn them on and off only to realize the two systems aren’t compatible. Or you may want your TV to turn on to a specific channel without realizing your television can’t handle that type of command.

There are a million examples of devices not being able to communicate with each other, which defeats the whole purpose of an integrated smart home. A professional can help you find devices that are compatible and create the necessary programming to get them all speaking the same language.

Having No Central Control Solution

Usually, people invest in smart devices because they want to simplify their home. They want to get rid of switches, remotes, and panels that they barely use. The problem is sometimes they only upgrade to high-tech clutter. Now they're stuck with different apps for their lights, speakers, televisions, and thermostat.

With a professional home automation system you can place all these devices within one platform. From a dedicated touch pad, mobile app, or smart remote you can manage all of your home’s technology. Through our URC solutions, you can even integrate your brand new Amazon Alexa and control your system through simple voice commands.

Getting Stuck With a One-Room Solution

An integrated automation system can also help you expand your smart home solutions. Often homeowners give up on smart devices once they realize how difficult they are to install and end up with only a few rooms showcasing the new technology. With a professional installation, you decide which technology you want to include and where you want it to go.

You can then manage it no matter where you are in the house. Want to shut off the living room lights while you're in bed? No problem, just pull up your mobile app. Through your app, you can access your technology from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. If you forgot to turn off the lights before you left the house, just turn them off from your smartphone on the way to work.

Don’t settle for a retail smart home solution. Embrace a lifestyle of luxury and convenience by upgrading to a custom home automation system. It all starts with a discovery call to get to know your needs. Just call us at (972) 757-4002 or fill out our online contact form to get started.