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The Essential Guide to Building Your Smart Home

Choosing a smart home system can be daunting. The market is flooded with options—each with a different set of features and capabilities.

For example, you’ve got Amazon Alexa which acts on hunches and automatically completes tasks like turning off lights when you leave the room. On the other hand, you can record and access your security footage remotely with Apple HomeKit.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. So, how do you make the call?

That’s what we’ll tackle in this guide. Read on to learn about the best smart home ecosystems available and the top 5 factors to consider to choose the right one.

Why Do You Need a Smart Home System?

The best way to narrow down the options is to start by understanding your needs. What’s your primary goal for building a smart home?

Here are the four core reasons behind installing a smart home ecosystem:

  • Convenience

Control lights and appliances with the help of a voice assistant. Streamline daily tasks for a modern and comfortable living.

  • Energy Management

Optimise energy usage by regularly monitoring electricity consumption per room, day, appliances, etc.

  • Entertainment

Bring the cinema to your home with smart speakers and home theatre systems. Seamlessly integrate all your media devices, track watch history, control gaming consoles, etc.

  • Security

Protect your family with a state-of-the-art security system—smart cameras, sensors, smart locks, geofencing, smoke alarms, and so on.

 

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The Best Smart Home Ecosystems Available: A Quick Overview

Next, research the available smart home ecosystems and find out the ones that match your requirements.

To lift off some burden, we’ve listed down the 9 best smart home systems in Australia today.

  • Amazon Alexa
Alexa offers you the ability to control all your devices from a single place, with quick voice commands. You can set routines to get more work done automatically. For example, by setting a night routine, you can have Alexa turn off the lights and play sleep music.
  • Google Home
Google Home is a suitable option for families using Google or Nest devices exclusively. You can sync your home with apps like Google Calendar, stream your video doorbell with Chromecast, broadcast voice messages, etc.
  • Apple HomeKit

If you are an Apple user, Apple HomeKit is an obvious choice. With this smart home system, you can connect all the smart home accessories to a centralised hub and access them via your Apple devices.

  • Samsung SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings supports compatibility with voice assistants and smart home devices from Samsung as well as other brands. You can automate routine tasks, monitor energy usage in real time, enhance energy settings, and a lot more!
  • KNX
Easy to install and future-proof, KNX leads the sustainability drive. You can adjust devices based on occupancy and time of the day, receive real-time energy reports, and run a historical data analysis to understand energy consumption. PD Automation provides quality KNX smart home installation services. We’re the experts for KNX systems and offer reliable ongoing support.
  • Control4
Control4 comes with spectacular compatibility (tens of thousands of devices). Their OS 3 app allows you to turn off all lights and TV with a single button before leaving the house. Set up multi-room audio, intercom anywhere, create custom scenes—all with the highly intuitive Control 4.
  • Clipsal C-bus
SpaceLogic C-bus is a stylish, modern, and advanced smart automation system. It’s more suited for large spaces like luxury homes or commercial projects as it comes with a cabled framework. Customised lighting scenes, energy management, wall-mounted keypads, and third-party integrations are some features.
  • Crestron
With Creston Home, you can orchestrate what happens inside the house, as well as how it interacts with the outside world. From lighting to security, the OS comes fully packed with features that will restore your peace of mind and transform your home into a sanctuary.
  • Philips Dynalite
Philips Dynalite is renowned for its excellent lighting and ambience capabilities. Besides that, you can also save huge on energy bills with features such as “soft start” and integrate numerous devices into the system.

Choosing the Right Smart Home Ecosystem: Factors to Consider

But how do you decide which system is the best for your family? Here are the 5 golden factors to consider:
  • Compatibility
It’s best to choose a smart home ecosystem that can be easily integrated with the gadgets you already own. For example, Apple HomeKit for Apple users. You must also check compatibility with your existing infrastructure (wiring, WiFi, etc.) so that your smart home stays coherent and cost-effective.
  • Ease of Use
Most smart home systems come with mobile applications for remote access 24/7. Wall-mounted touchscreens and voice assistants are other ways to interact with the system. Make sure all these options provide an intuitive interface for kids, adults, and the elderly.
  • Data Security
Pay close attention to the cybersecurity standards, third-party policies, and communication protocols followed by the smart home system. Prioritise privacy and child/user control to build a safe, secure, and healthy smart home.
  • Features & Customisation
Compare the common and distinct features of different smart home ecosystems thoroughly. Prefer systems that value scalability and can be tailored to your needs.
  • Support & Maintenance
Even the highest tech is prone to disruptions. So, compare maintenance and support services—quality, resolution time, charges, etc. Choose a system that regularly updates and evolves with the world.

Not Sure Where to Start? We’ve Got You Covered!

PD Automation is a one-stop destination for building the smart of your dreams from scratch.

We’ve got it all—smart home systems, customised solutions, design plans, project managers, installation consultants—you name it.

Our experts will sit down with you to understand your requirements and share unbiased product recommendations.

We’ll design layouts, carry out inspections to assess your existing infrastructure, and document each detail to install the best smart home system for your family.

Contact us today to book a consultation.