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5 Cool DIY Home Automation Ideas for Techies

Sep 08, 2016|

Smart home technology doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many DIY home automation components that can enhance your current smart home system or act as the gateway to a fully automated home. We’ve rounded up five easy ways you can up your smart home game:

Cool Home Automation Ideas For:

  1. Heating and cooling
  2. Lighting and small appliances
  3. Water
  4. Security
  5. Convenience

1. Heating and cooling

While a programmable thermostat will save money on energy bills, a smart thermostat will use intuitive technology to learn your behavior and adjust its settings automatically. From knowing your preferred temperature when you walk into a room to automatically adjusting based on time of day or routine, a learning thermostat, such as Vivint Smart Thermostat, will ensure it’s always optimized. It also has the capability to pair with a broader smart home setup, which provides security and comfort to all corners of your home.

2. Lighting and small appliances

If you’ve ever installed a motion detector light or used a lamp-timer while on vacation, you’ve already incorporated a DIY home automation solution. What truly makes automation smart, however, is the capability for remote access and control.

Vivint’s small appliance and lighting control module installs in a snap, and it can be remotely controlled via the Sky App, ensuring you never have to worry about leaving the iron plugged in again. It also allows for variances in control, resulting in more natural lighting control when you’re away from home.

3. Water

For busy home chefs, a smart faucet is a great way to make food prep a little easier and is simple to install with a little bit of plumbing knowledge. From automatic temperature settings to hands-free operation, a smart faucet can help you live better and conserve water — a win-win situation for everyone.

4. Security

The best home security systems are reliable, adaptable and easily changed to meet the changing needs of your family. Fortunately, many home security components — such as garage door controllers, cameras and sensors — can be installed by yourself for an effortless addition to your home.

Security cameras can be a particularly flexible option that doesn’t just focus on security, but helps you keep an eye on the kids, package deliveries and the state of your home while you’re away. The best part is even cameras connected to a whole-home system can easily be moved when your needs change.

5. Convenience

The best part of home automation is all the cool things that exist simply to make your life easier. From floor cleaners that work while you sleep to a refrigerator that can tell you if you’re out of milk, smart homes play a major role in making things easy.

One of the best DIY options on the market is Amazon Echo, the voice-controlled smart hub that can lock the front door, play your favorite music and more — just through the sound of your voice. While it may not be able to cook you dinner, it can save you from cold feet when you get to bed on a cold winter’s night and realize you forgot to shut off the light.

As technology continues to make advances in home automation, there will be no shortage of DIY solutions for homeowners looking to up their smart home game. The key to success will be in choosing the DIY devices that can communicate through a single hub and achieve a fully-integrated system that truly makes life easy — all for less than you expect.

Discuss your smart home options with a Vivint representative today.

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*Offer Details

Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 expenditure on equipment after all discounts have been applied, professional installation, and execution of Vivint monitoring services agreement. Click here for monthly service plan prices. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems not eligible for offer. Offer not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be financed separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply.

Third-Party Financing Options Available

Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.

Vivint Systems & Services

System supports up to six cameras subject to sufficient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this offer for complete equipment, services, and package details, including pricing and financing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certificate #58280. See Vivint license numbers here.