Smart Home Upgrades

What is a ‘smart home’?

A smart home uses technology to control various systems within, from lighting to heating. Incorporating smart technology into your home allows you to control these systems remotely through apps and voice action devices like a google home or amazon alexa. Most smart systems can be automated and will start to learn your preferences the more you use them. Smart home apps are also becoming fancier, allowing you to pretty much control everything remotely. Some even offer energy efficiency features; helping you to save money.

There’s also something for everyone and every home. Whether you want full home automation or a simple smart thermostat - it’s your choice how ‘smart’ you want to make your home!

Smart home upgrades:

With so much smart home tech now widely available, choosing the right system can be a challenge. That’s where we come in. Our electricians understand these smart home systems down to T. We know their advantages and their drawbacks. Simply tell us what you’d like to improve in your home and we can advise a system that’ll work for you.

Here’s a few examples of some smart home systems we can install:

Smart lighting

This is one we’re always asked about and there's a good reason for it. Adding smart lighting to your home can bring multiple benefits:

• Energy savings through scheduling and remote control. Forgot to turn your bedroom light off before leaving for work? No stress, save your pennies and turn it off using your phone.
• Improved home security. On holiday? Want to make it seem like someone's home? Use your smartphone to turn lights on during the evening just as you would if you were home. Burglars are looking for empty, dark homes and are very unlikely to target a home which looks occupied.  
• Convenience and personalisation. Just got comfy in bed? No need to get up and turn the lights off, a quick tap on your phone and it’s done! Can’t sleep? Grab your book and slightly lighten the room just enough so you can see but not too much that it wakes your partner - all from a quick swipe.

Remember you’ve also got the option to control your lighting through voice command, a great accessibility feature if you struggle with mobility or sight loss. Adding smart light isn’t just convenient but also adds a real touch of luxury to your home - it's definitely a wow factor.

Smart thermostats

Another common smart home feature we install is smart thermostats. They’re great for many reasons including:

• Reducing heating bills. Smart thermostats have multiple money saving features.
• Remote control for added convenience. Commuting home from work? Arriving back to a toasty home is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
• Smart learning habits, after time you’ll notice the heating comes on just when you want it to.

Smart thermostats offer a good balance of efficiency and convenience, it's no wonder they're becoming increasingly popular.

Smart home security

Whether it's a video doorbell or a full home security system - protecting your home 24/7 is easier than ever. Video doorbells are a really solid way to put off burglars, whether they're targeting your home or your car. Doorbell footage is even being used by the police on a regular basis to find and locate criminals. On the flip side, video doorbells are also very convenient - you can answer your door even if you’re at the other end of the country. Smart home security systems can also be used in conjunction with motion sensor lights for an added layer of protection.

Full home automation

Dreaming of a home which does it all (quite literally?) full home automation might be for you. From smart lighting to appliance control, every room and every part of your home will be fully customisable and controlled remotely. Just imagine having the kettle boiled before you’ve stepped out of bed!

Whatever smart home system you decide to incorporate into your Bristol home, make sure it’s done by a fully qualified smart home installer. If you’re Bristol based, that’s us - EMC Electrical Group.