The Roanoker - July/August 2020 - 62
homes
preheat while still at the soccer field, or check the
front porch for that Amazon package, via a connected
doorbell with camera.
There are more options for automation and slick
technologies than ever before, so read on to get smart.
LIGHT THE WAY
written by
CHRISTY RIPPEL
62
JULY/AUGUST 2020
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD the term " smart home " ,
but what does that mean, exactly?
" The definition of smart home varies depending
on the person, " says Chris Gray, a sales and design
consultant at Audiotronics in Roanoke, who has
assisted clients with connecting their homes during his
nearly 20 years at the company. " In general, it means
you can automate a lot of things and control them,
without relying on flipping a switch to do certain
things. It's the connected home. "
A home can be connected via Wi-Fi and/or
bluetooth, and phones and tablets can be the main
control panels, allowing you to turn on the oven to
Connected light bulbs are one option for smart
lighting that can be integrated into a home's WiFi. For
example, can lights in a ceiling can be synched together
to operate via an app, or integrated into one of the
many voice-operated devices, like Google Home, or
Amazon's Echo. Imagine saying, " Alexa, dim the lights "
and being ready for movie night instantly.
" There's an enjoyment factor to automation, an
ease, " says Mitch DeWeese, a project manager with
Sound Decisions. " It's nice to set the mood in your
home with a command or push of a button. When
people experience it, they really love it and want more
of it. "
Smart light bulbs are available at big box and
hardware stores, though be sure to research which
brands work with technology you already have, like
your Echo or Home device. They can also be app
controlled (there are a number of apps available now
for this purpose) and can be set to come on and off
at certain times of day, or while on vacation to deter
burglars.
Smart plugs can help control lamps and plug-in
lights, and are a good way for anyone to dip a toe into
the smart home waters. They're inexpensive and simple
to install, and can help even the most tech-challenged
homeowner get the hang of smart lighting.
Lights can sync with other elements, DeWeese
notes, who says his company has set up homes so that
when the front door is unlocked at night, indoor lights
come on to eliminate fumbling for the light switch.
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