8 Time-Saving IFTTT Hacks for Your Smart Home

If you have a smart home (or a few smart home devices) you probably already know that not all of your devices want to work together. Instead, they prefer to do their own thing.

Think of the magic that could happen if those devices started working together–you would have an integrated smart home system. That's exactly what Vivint delivers–a smart home where everything does work together, and can be managed from one app.

For everyone else though, this integration often remains a problem. But with the magic of IFTTT, devices can work together to achieve more than they can on their own, and it's pretty incredible.

How can IFTTT recipes integrate smart devices for home automation?

IFTTT (which stands for “If This, Then That”) is a free web service that lets you connect various devices and services through “recipes.” These recipes enable an action in one device ("IF THIS") to trigger an action in another ("THEN THAT").

Whether you want to make your home safer or your life easier, here are some of the best IFTTT recipes for your smart home:

Get an alert if your liquor cabinet opens

You want to trust your teens, but sometimes temptation can get the best of them. Find out if your kids (or anyone else) are sneaking a few drinks with this recipe; you’ll get a phone call if anyone opens your liquor cabinet while you’re not there. This recipe can also be used for any cabinet.

Services Used

• SmartThings
• Phone Call

Change the color of your lights if your carbon monoxide sensor goes off

Not all alarms need to be heard; some can be seen and be just as effective. With this Philips Hue IFTTT recipe, you can set your lights to turn red if your carbon monoxide detector is triggered. Red alert!

Services Used

• Nest Protect
• Philips Hue

Wake up to hot coffee

If you can’t start the day without a cup of coffee, this coffeee machine IFTTT recipe will help you wake up on the right side of the bed every morning. When your sleep-tracking Fitbit senses that you’re waking up, your coffee maker will kick into motion.

Services Used

• Fitbit
• WeMo Insight Switch

Receive a text if your smoke alarm goes off

A smart home is a safer home. This smoke alarm IFTTT for Nest will automatically send a text message to your phone (or any phone number you choose) if your smoke alarm goes off.

Of course, with 24/7 professional home security monitoring and the Vivint app, you can get this same feature, with no setup and the added benefit of our security monitoring specialists contacting emergency services for you in the event of a fire.

Services Used

• Nest Protect
• Text Message (SMS)

Turn your lights into social media alerts

You don’t have to wait for your ears to burn when someone talks about you with this Twitter notification IFTTT recipe. When you get a mention on Twitter, your lights will flash five times.

Services Used

• Twitter
• LIFX smart lighting (a similar recipe can also be done using Philips Hue)

Use your voice to control your TV

This handy IFTTT for Google Home lets you control your television with your Google Home—just say “Ok Google, turn off the TV.” No remote needed.

Services Used

• Google Home/Google Assistant
• Harmony

Get a notification if your power consumption is creeping up

Demand-based pricing for your energy usage can drive your bills sky-high—unless, of course, you have an energy bill IFTTT alert that alerts you when your energy consumption reaches a certain level.

Services Used

• Neurio
• Notifications

Delay lawn watering if rain is in the forecast

Rain in the forecast? No big deal. When the weather calls for rain, this sprinkler IFTTT recipe automatically sets your sprinkler system on a rain delay.

Services Used

• Rachio
• Weather Underground

With IFTTT, you can make the most of your smart home devices. With thousands of recipes at your fingertips, you can automate day-to-day tasks, stay connected with your home, and just make life easier overall.

Interested in learning how Vivint can provide you with an integrated smart home? Call 844.481.8630 and our Smart Home Pros can walk you through how to create a smart home that meets your needs.