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March 01, 2022

Cedar Rapids Home Automation 101

Have you wondered about ways to make your home more ”smart”? Do you know a little about smart homes and have an interest in learning how to modify your residence? This simple tutorial -- Cedar Rapids’s Home Automation 101 -- is intended to explain how you might use modern home security tools to make your everyday life simpler to manage and more efficient.

So introduce home automation to a security system with toftal assurance, and let your home's door locks, thermostat, lights, and other equipment cater to your unique requirements.

What Is Home Automation In Cedar Rapids?

If you are a current homeowner or have plans to acquire a house, you’ve probably asked this inquiry: What is home automation in Cedar Rapids? Essentially, home automation oversees and operates different elements at your residence, so you don't have to. You can program things like smart lights, door locks, and smart thermostats to respond even if you’re not physically present. In other words, you’ll no longer have to hit a switch to illuminate a room or turn the dial near your furnace room to change your comfort levels.

Automation offers flexibility and function to your home

Automation can vary based on your needs. For example, you may program your different elements to act according to a schedule that you’ve instituted via your central smart hub panel or mobile app. Or arrange your devices to function in harmony to make the perfect scene for movie night or for nighttime. Or you might have separate components interact with each other to help make certain your home is safe and secure for every circumstance. You can even control your smart components with your voice if you join them to a Google or Amazon speaker.

However, you must choose a fully featured smart home automation plan to get the latest in remote management, scene creation, and scheduling. Many homeowners enjoy the most success connecting home automation devices to a home security system. Many security systems already have the ability to manage cameras and alarms by using a smart hub or smartphone security app. Adding in your automated lights, locks, and thermostat lets you program everything from one place. Additionally, utilizing your security system for your home’s automated equipment means that you only have to master a solitary interface for your entire smart home.

Implement These Smart Home Ideas In Cedar Rapids

There are numerous helpful smart home ideas for your Cedar Rapids home. Try these options to experience a level of functionality you may not have thought achievable:

  • Smart lighting: Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and remembered that you didn’t switch off the lights in your primary living space? Would you like being able to touch your cell phone and turn them down without being forced from your warm bed? You might want to consider a schedule and have your lights come on at arranged moments to make it seem like your house is inhabited when you're not there. You can even program your lighting to illuminate when your surveillance systems uncover unexpected motion around your house.


  • Smart entry locks: The questionable practice of leaving a key underneath your welcome mat is an unnecessary step if you install smart locks. Assign each member of your family a unique code or you could unlock your doors right from your smartphone. When you must permit access to a friend while you're on vacation, set a temporary code and get a smartphone alert if the locks operate.


  • Fire, flood, and CO detection: Immediately know when a disaster strikes with connected fire, CO, and flood sensors. Check the status of your devices through your mobile device and receive warnings whenever one of these devices is set off. Enable other components to act in response to an emergency, like prompting your HVAC fan when your fire detectors activate. These smart safety tools are even linked to your 24/7 security monitoring for added peace of mind.


  • Video cameras: Your smart indoor and outdoor video cameras can give you an instant glimpse of your property whenever you wish. Examine live footage straight from your smartphone or keep video segments in your cloud storage. Another popular choice is a doorbell camera, which will notify you when someone arrives. You can communicate using the bi-directional audio function and at the same time have your hall lights automatically switch on.


  • Smart thermostats: There's no longer a need to fiddle with your home’s thermostat in person. Alternatively, program your smart thermostat to adapt to your daily schedule. For instance, automatically reduce the air conditioning or heat when you're not home. Then you might have your thermostat rise to a cozier temperature by the time you arrive. Or use your cell phone app to inspect the comfort levels no matter where you are and alter it to your satisfaction.

Enjoy The Perks Of Smart Home Automation In Cedar Rapids

So, is smart home automation worth the hassle to set up? Luckily, automation offers more than simply a fun tool to control your locks and lights from your smartphone. Here's how automation brings actual benefits to your busy life.

  • Security: Home automation has obvious and beneficial safety implications. Make your property look inhabited when you're away with preset smart lights and visually inspect guests with a video doorbell. Receive alerts and have your house brighten when an alarm or camera is triggered. Smart door locks, cameras, and equipment like CO and fire detectors all help establish an enhanced level of protection for your residence.


  • Reduce your stress: By setting schedules, you’ll never need to think about switching off your lights or securing your entryways, as your system will handle it for you. Monitor your alarms and sensors when you're gone, and direct nearly every feature of your configuration from any location. Customize scenes like movie night that alter your components in the perfect manner to obtain the ideal light levels and comfort settings. Or direct Alexa how you want your interior and see your home instantly respond.


  • Energy efficiency: A leading reason to implement smart home automation is that it will allow you to save money. When it comes down to it, there might be individuals in your house who neglect to do basic chores like switch off lights. By putting your lights on a schedule, you won't be using electricity throughout the day. Reduce heating and cooling costs by adjusting your home’s comfort settings for when you're gone. Did you forget to lower the A/C when you went on vacation? No need to worry, as you now have the ability to adjust it right from your hotel room.

Ready To Go Beyond Home Automation 101 In Cedar Rapids?

If you’re wondering, "how did I ever exist without home automation previously," you’re ready to consult with your security experts. We are here to show you your options -- from smart locks to exterior surveillance -- and design the perfect package for you. Just dial (319) 214-2293 or complete the form below.