Home Technology: Finding Your Comfort Level

Starting with basic features and expanding as you feel comfortable is a great approach when adding technology to your home.  

Let’s face it: Technology can be complicated. It can be confusing. It can also send some people running back to their old-fashioned knobs, switches, dials, and remotes to operate the lights, thermostats, TVs, and other devices. And that’s a shame. Well-designed technology is supposed to simplify life, not make it more difficult. Unfortunately, this can happen if you’ve purchased a product or system that you’re not comfortable using, or if your system integrator has poorly executed its configuration and installation.

Recognizing your comfort level and teaming up with a qualified home systems integrator who understands your stance can preclude any hardships over home technology. Maybe you like the tactile feel of buttons on a remote. Or perhaps you’d rather use an app on your smartphone to launch commands to equipment. Some people are comfortable with a system that synchronizes every light switch, thermostat, ceiling fan, window shade, and audio-video system in the house. Others would rather ease into home control by focusing on one room to start.

There’s no perfect approach when it comes to integrating technology into a home. It’s the job of a home systems integrator to guide you through the options, listen to your concerns, and tailor a solution that meets your needs.

 

Start Small and Build Your System Gradually

If you’re passionate about and have the budget for the high-tech bells and whistles in your home, go for it. A home systems installer will configure every aspect of your system to support the level of functionality you desire. However, if you’d rather take home technology in smaller doses, that’s doable—and often advisable—too. You might start with a single type of product, like smart light switches, and have those installed in just a couple of rooms. Your home systems integrator can program these switches to turn on and off automatically during the day. They can also make switches controllable via a handheld remote or smartphone app.

That’s a simple, affordable setup, yet useful to your everyday life. You’ll be reaping the rewards of a smart home lifestyle without making a huge commitment right off the bat. When you’ve gotten comfortable with the smart switches and are ready to expand into other rooms / smart devices, a home systems integrator can add more features and functions. They can integrate everything to minimize your learning curve.

In many cases, smart lighting, smart ceiling fans, and motorized window shades can work cohesively via the same app, device, or control interface.

 

Smart Systems Adapt to Your Needs and Lifestyle

And here’s the good news: If there’s ever an issue with how the installed system is performing or you experience complications using it, your home systems installer can give you a run-through, do some diagnostics, or provide service should it be needed. Point being, you’re never restricted or limited when a qualified home systems integrator is involved. Like a Sherpa, they’re there to help make technology more fun to use and to guide you through your transition from a starter system to a more comprehensive solution.

Essentially, as your comfort with technology continues to grow and evolve, so can the systems in your home. You can feel confident during each step of the process, enjoying each feature fully before moving on to something new. You’ll also be able to allocate funds in a manner that’s easy on your bank account.

 

Bringing It Home

As you can see, adding technology to a home is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. Find what’s right for you by speaking with a home systems integrator who adheres to this philosophy, understands the objectives, and shares your vision. Being oversold is never makes for a positive experience.

We’d love to help you achieve technology bliss. Drop us a line and let’s talk. 

Image credit: Image courtesy of Control4™