Take the home automation outdoors

Now that you have finished your home automation project indoors, it doesn’t have to stop there. You can extend your smart home technology to your backyard and more. Just like your home’s interior, you’ll be able to control the exterior of your home in the palm of your hand. Here are a few areas and ideas where you can integrate some smart home controls.

 

Prepping the perimeter

Just a quick note, it is important to keep in mind a few things you’ll need to prepare before you start your project. The first is finding truly  weatherproof equipment and materials. This is a must to increase the longevity of your outdoor gadgets which can include TVs, speakers, other entertainment aspects, and wiring. Now that we have gathered our necessary materials, it is time to make sure that your electricity can extend to the perimeter you would like. If you plan on implementing any smart outdoor lighting, it is important to make sure that your wifi network also extends beyond the interior of your home.

Outdoor Lighting

Most homeowners have some sort of outdoor lighting or plan on implementing them upon moving into their home. Lighting the exterior of your home is not only visually pleasing but a great security benefit as well. Remembering to turn on every outdoor light in the evening can be a daunting task. This is why many homeowners have opted for smart home lighting. Here are just a few outdoor smart home lights to consider:

● Motion detection lighting- Yes, I believe these are a must. Motion detection software triggers lighting paths in certain areas of your backyard. This is a great feature for additional security benefits as well. Not only can it ward off burglars and unwanted guests, but can welcome visitors to your home.

● Pre-set lighting- With pre-set lighting scenes, this feels especially unique since you’ll be able to personalize a scene of lighting paths upon arrival of your property. For example, you can have your “welcome” setting to light up the driveway and a pathway to your doorstep before you even make it the driveway.

● Entertainment lighting- these can light up entertainment areas to set the mood or atmosphere you have in mind. Whether it’s lighting up the outdoor seating, pool, or grill area, this is a great way to set the tone for an enjoyable evening with special people.

● Solar lighting- If you’re looking for an energy efficient source of lighting, look for automated solar lighting to do the trick. This can save you loads of energy and cut back on utility bills.

 

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Automated Screens

Elevate your outdoor experience by adding motorized retractable screens to create a screened porch within seconds. With this design, you’ll have the best of both worlds. You’ll be able to kick back relax and enjoy the view, and also be able to close the screens for additional privacy and ward off the sun, high heat, wind, rain, glare, and insects.

 

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Security Cameras

This addition is a great way for homeowners to feel at ease while they are away from home, whether if it’s for a few hours or a few weeks. You’ll be able to monitor the perimeter and be able to play back footage from any time with the use of your smartphone. This is not only beneficial to absentee homeowners but any homeowner in general.

 

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Irrigation Control

It can be difficult to remember to turn on your sprinklers during important times of the day, especially if you’re at work or out and about. It is even more difficult to spend hours watering your own yard. With smart controls, you’ll be able to turn on sprinklers and set schedules to maintain your perfect lawn all year long. Finally, the grass is greener, but on your side for a change.

 

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Pool Area

Want to cool down your pool during those hot summer months? Or heat up your pool/hot tub during the cool winters? No problem. With outdoor automation, you’ll be able to control the temperature of your outdoor pool. Not only with you be able to monitor the temperature from your smartphone, but you’ll also be able to control the pool pump, salt chlorination, sanitation, pH balance, and cleaning/filtration. This also makes maintenance of your pool a lot easier throughout the year. You can schedule your pump to run at lower speeds throughout the day and during off-peak hours to conserve energy.

 

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Outdoor Entertainment Systems

If you’re looking for another great area to entertain family, friends, and guests, take advantage of your outdoor space. Controlling all audio and video aspects doesn’t just have to stop indoors; bring the entertainment outside. Adding Bluetooth or wireless speakers to your outdoor space is the perfect way to bring life to the party and set the mood. Whether it is in the porch area or surrounding the pool, the ability to access them from your handheld smartphone device makes hosting parties easier than ever. If you don’t want the presence of speakers throughout the yard, there are a variety of hidden speakers and options whether it’d be speakers in the form of rocks/boulders or blending them into the shrubbery. Sunbrite offers a variety of outdoor televisions that are completely weatherproof and glare-free. If you want to amplify your immersive movie theater experience outdoors, you can opt for an outdoor projector and screen that’s tucked away when not in use, and pops out when it’s movie time.

 

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By Wendy Wang

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