Smart Home

[Majingir]

Starting to see more and more people adopting these things and it seems so cool, but obviously pricey and one of those types of things where you need to really be educated about it before actually buying.

I have a Google Home already so it has the voice assistant stuff, so for phones/tablets, it links to them just fine and can run the types of apps I need. But with this, you can pair so many other types of devices to it.


Smart Thermostats and light bulbs are the two main things I've been looking in to getting. I just don't know which one to get or what exactly I should be looking for or expecting out of them.

Thermostat wise, I'm not sure how exactly it saves the amount of money that people claim makes it "pay for itself" after awhile. So which ones would people say are good to look at, what exactly should I be looking for in choosing one, and in what ways does it "pay for itself"?

And Smart Bulbs, can I just buy some $30 smartbulb, or is there additional things I need to buy, and does it have to all be from same company?

[p_rushing]

Re: Smart Home

You need to do some research and first determine what Hub you are going to use. If you just want a light or thermostat, then you could get away without one, but it won't be that useful.

The hub allows you to automate a lot of the stuff and then you can use your voice to run them. There are a few, but I've been looking at Smartthings from Samsung. It has good support and integration from what I can see.

For the thermostat, if you don't have a programmable one or don't use a program, then it can help save money. Cutting heat when you sleep, cutting it off when you leave and set the alarm, etc. It just all depends on what you have connected. If you already use a program, it's not going to save much money unless you connect your alarm or cellphone proximity to automatically lower/raise the temperature when you leave.

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[Majingir]

Re: Smart Home

You need to do some research and first determine what Hub you are going to use. If you just want a light or thermostat, then you could get away without one, but it won't be that useful.

The hub allows you to automate a lot of the stuff and then you can use your voice to run them. There are a few, but I've been looking at Smartthings from Samsung. It has good support and integration from what I can see.

For the thermostat, if you don't have a programmable one or don't use a program, then it can help save money. Cutting heat when you sleep, cutting it off when you leave and set the alarm, etc. It just all depends on what you have connected. If you already use a program, it's not going to save much money unless you connect your alarm or cellphone proximity to automatically lower/raise the temperature when you leave.

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Wasn't thinking about that before, but I do already have a programmable thermostat, so smart one probably not worth it.

As for lightbulb, I'm mainly wanting one for outdoors. Not as an energy saver, but mostly just for having ability to turn on an outside light if I'm gonna be home late. WiFi outlet for indoors is another thing I'm looking at for similar use(having a lamp plugged in to turn on late in day) , though that isn't complicated in choosing one.

[p_rushing]

Re: Smart Home

Wasn't thinking about that before, but I do already have a programmable thermostat, so smart one probably not worth it.

As for lightbulb, I'm mainly wanting one for outdoors. Not as an energy saver, but mostly just for having ability to turn on an outside light if I'm gonna be home late. WiFi outlet for indoors is another thing I'm looking at for similar use(having a lamp plugged in to turn on late in day) , though that isn't complicated in choosing one.

For an outside light, I'd just get a dusk to dawn led and not worry about turning it on/off. Let it turn on/off everyday.

Otherwise, look for any lightbulb that Google home can control. Since it is outside, it may depend on what you are putting it into (is it enclosed, out of the elements), so just look for a simple one not a color changing, dimming, etc.

For the lamp you can either get the outlet or bulb. Bulb has more options if you want to change it.

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[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Smart Home

There are a ton of options for smart bulbs in the $7 - 20 range if you don't need color changing. Most will be compatible with both Alexa and Google Home.

I have a bunch of smart bulbs set up for voice commands. Haven't gotten to setting up scenarios.

[nemesis04]

Re: Smart Home

This is one part of technology I will not be signing up for. The hacking potential is too high, something they have already been successful at.