Planning for smart technology when you build or renovate

Congratulations! You’re planning to build a new house or you’re about to launch a home remodeling project. It’s a big investment, and one way to make the most of it is to incorporate home automation technology.

By planning from the get-go, smart technology can add lifestyle conveniences and money-saving efficiencies to your new or remodeled home. And installing the wiring before the dry wall is up will save time and money — not to mention extra dust. But at what phase of your build/remodel project should you think about home automation technology? The short answer is: Right now.

Set your smart home goals

Whatever the scale of your project, the first step is to set goals and priorities for your smart home. Here are some questions to ask yourself.

• What benefits are you looking for? Would you like to simplify daily tasks? Improve energy efficiency? Add security features? All of these and more are possible with a smart home.

• What’s the long-range outlook for you and your home? If you are hoping to remain in your house for many years, think about a home technology design that can be scaled up over time as you add features. If you anticipate outgrowing your house, you might want functions that will make it more energy-efficient, which could appeal to buyers.

• What devices do you already use? Integrating your existing devices or systems is another consideration. For instance, if you already use voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, look for solutions that are compatible with them.

• Who will be using your smart technology? Think about the comfort level, abilities and preferences of the people in your household. And don’t forget about visitors. You can make adjustments by designing a system that has analog redundancies for the non-tech-savvy, and you can install a guest network to protect your network’s security.

• What’s your budget? You’ll want to set a budget so that, along with your top priorities, you can design a plan that zeroes in on the most important features.

Practical considerations

When planning a smart home, your choices will range from practical features to indulgent treats. Let’s start with the practical stuff.

• Many people start their smart-home planning with home security systems. These can include smart doorbells, remotely controlled door locks, surveillance cameras and more.

• Energy efficiency can be another great place to start. Smart lighting and smart thermostats can save on energy bills. And smart bulbs are a budget-friendly way to incorporate technology.

• This might be a good time to “future proof” your home by anticipating what’s ahead for you or potential buyers. By planning for pre-wiring, gang boxes and smart panels, your home can efficiently accommodate new technology over time.

• Consider USB-C wall outlets that accommodate both traditional plugs and ports for charging laptops, phones, wireless headphones, tablets and other devices without using a separate charger.

• Assess your Wi-Fi system to optimize connectivity and to prevent unwanted slowdowns as your technology needs grow. 

Room by room considerations

It’s also helpful to think about the different rooms in your home and how you might want to introduce smart technology in them. Here are some room-by-room tips.

• TV room or family room. As the central gathering place for many families, many choose to start here. Think about smart lighting that can adjust to different activities. Or an integrated entertainment system that lets you control your TV, sound bar and music with voice assistant commands. Don’t forget to consider furnishings that can seamlessly accommodate outlets and cords.

• Kitchen. You can choose smart ovens, ice makers, coffee makers, dishwashers and more for your new kitchen. Smart appliances can send alerts, be controlled remotely and even sense ingredients. A touchscreen hub can integrate controls for your smart appliances and give you easy access to recipes, grocery lists and timers. Explore cabinetry solutions that can accommodate USB outlets and charging stations.

• Bathroom. You can remotely set the water temperature in your shower and bathtub, set your floors and towel racks to warm up when you wake up, and even monitor the morning news on your bathroom mirror.

• Bedroom. Control your lighting, alarm clock, window blinds and sound system by voice assistant. Or program your smart thermostat to regulate the temperature at your ideal sleep setting.

Consult the experts

The possibilities are exciting! But they can be a little overwhelming, too. And each home project poses unique opportunities and challenges. By hiring professionals, you’ll simplify the planning process, benefit from expert installation knowledge, and learn to how to use the system properly.

The team at IQ Automation has years of experience helping homeowners plan and install smart features. We can help you plan a home automation system tailored to your needs and your budget. Contact us today at sales@IQAutomation.net or (262) 696-9633.