Smart home automation is a term that’s thrown around a lot, but isn’t well understood. What’s the difference between smart home automation and smart home control? What are the best technologies to make your Colleyville, TX home into a smart home? If you’d like to know the answers to any of these questions, keep reading!

Defining Smart Home Automation

Smart home automation refers to the process of upgrading different aspects of your home – lights, window shades, entertainment systems, etc. – to be part of the Internet of Things. Essentially, these home components are now able to be controlled via any internet-connected device. The next step is to then connect all of these devices into one complete ecosystem that works automatically to keep your home in the perfect environment for safety, comfort, energy efficiency, and beauty.

SEE ALSO: Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Home Automation

The Difference Between Smart Home Automation and Smart Home Control

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. However, most smart home systems use a combination of automation and control. It all boils down to how you want the devices to act throughout the day. 

If you have window shades that detect that too much solar heat gain is causing your home’s air conditioner to work harder than it should have to, those window shades could automatically close to block out the sun. That’s smart home automation because you didn’t have to do anything to achieve that effect. The system intelligently chose the right action to keep your home energy efficient. 

In the world of smart home control and automation, you probably know that there are two routes you can take: DIY or professional installation. For some homeowners, DIY may seem like the better choice. After all, aren’t smart devices easy to install? Won’t you save time and money by turning your home upgrade into a weekend project? The answers to those questions may not be as simple as you think. In this blog, we’ll show you why it may just be in your best interest to seek professional help, even when you think you can do it yourself. Read on to learn more.

See Also: Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Home Automation

Plug-and-Play?

Many smart devices tout their simplicity. Not just the way you interact with them, but their easy set up. And if you just want the very basic functions of your system, you can enjoy them with minimal effort. However, if you’re interested in integrating those devices as part of a complete smart home system, one that offers more functionality of each device while also simplifying the controls of all of them, you’ll need help.

Put it simply, smart devices are easy, smart homes are complex. At the end of the day, your integrator will take many complicated functions, including lights, shades, AV, security and more and give you one controller for everything. You won’t have to worry about useless buttons, or complicated layouts – your integrator will show you how to use everything on the user-friendly interface.

A fully automated home makes life easier for everyone.  Motorized shades that’ll lower to keep the hot sun out, lights that can dim or brighten, and music that can follow you throughout your space – it doesn’t get any more luxurious!

But there’s an initial question most Dallas, TX homeowners have before they get smart home control – how are they going to manage all of this without getting a headache?

Your cohesive, centralized system means you can use one source to control every single smart technology and feature in your home.  But what type of devices are best for you?

Below, we go into the various options you can choose from, and which ones might fit you and your family best.  Keep reading to find out more!

SEE ALSO: SMART HOME CONTROL: WHY CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL?