Step one, make your house a home. Step two, make your home smart.

What is a smart home?

Any home can be a smart home. All it takes is integrating devices and appliances that help automate tasks you would otherwise do manually. Just imagine— lights that turn on when you enter a room, speakers you can control with your smartphone, or even “smart assistants” like Apple’s HomePod Mini will help you name that tune or change that tune, all at your verbal command.

These examples, of course, are just the beginning. As the folks at Android Authority put it, “for some people, turning a house into a smart home can be as simple as buying a connected speaker. For others, it can involve linking many categories of products”. There are fridges that can order you more eggs when you’re running low and doorbells that let you see who’s hanging out in your yard. Make your home smart with many different categories of products that make your life simpler, safer, and more efficient.

So, why have a smart home?

Simplify your life.

Smartening up your home can help streamline your life. Just like you set alarms to wake up, you can program anything from thermostats to lights to speakers to activate how you like, when you like. You can save time and let your automatic, smart devices take the brunt of the busy work of keeping you comfortable. Many devices also respond to voice commands, motion sensors, and location rules. Motion detectors, in particular, can help you conserve energy, which will ultimately save you money.

Enhance your peace of mind.

While integrating security systems is an obvious way smart devices can protect you and your property, there are so many ways smartening your home can enhance safety. For instance, you can set your lights to a schedule, so you don’t have to worry about becoming a burglar’s target while you’re out on vacation. Doorbells with cameras are also a popular, easy way to keep an eye on your curb and ward off any would-be intruders. Computer.org cautions that “if you’re investing dough in setting up a smart home, you must also invest some time and energy in securing it” from hackers with measures like strong passwords, high encryption, and consistent updates.

Take your entertainment to the next level.

A smart home is a comfortable home. While security and efficiency are important, ultimately, these devices help make your space more comfortable for you and your favorite people to enjoy time together. With smart devices, you can cultivate a space where people want to hang out, and entertaining is easier and better than ever.

Whether you’re hosting and want to be able to control your music and speaker on a whim, your pals are over for a gaming night and want the best displays, or your neighbors are crashing for the big game and you can’t wait to rewind to rewatch that insane moment, with smart integration, the entertainment possibilities are endless.

Where to start? A mesh Wi-Fi network.

With so many possibilities, this could all feel a little overwhelming. Before you get dreaming about what kind of gadgets you want, it’s important to lay a strong foundation. To create a smart home, you need a solid network with good coverage for all of your devices to connect and work properly.

Computer PROS offers at-home appointments to survey and install what’s called a wireless mesh network. As described by Tom’s Guide, mesh networks “join two or more Wi-Fi access points together, creating and sharing a single, seamless Wi-Fi network that can be expanded and set up to cover even the largest of homes or buildings.” Simply put, a mesh Wi-Fi network uses multiple devices, often called nodes, to cover a larger area and create a space void of any Wi-Fi dead zones. With a mesh network, you can expand fast internet throughout your home while keeping unexpected crashes at bay.

Since not every home is the same, Computer PROS offers in-home consultations to help you select and install the right mesh network to suit your unique home and internet needs.

Computer PROS carries different mesh network nodes, but one of our favorites comes from eero. As described on the eero website, the “eero 6 systems use the power of Wi-Fi 6 to deliver faster speeds, increase your internet’s efficiency, and reduce network congestion. Say goodbye to dead spots and buffering with a connection that doesn’t slow you down, even as you add more devices.” An eero Pro 6 two-pack can cover up to 3,500 square feet and, if you add a third, up to 6,000 and enough bandwidth to connect with and support over 75 devices.

At Computer PROS, you can find all the equipment, accessories and support you need to develop a smart home that’s as streamlined as it is safe and secure. Our friendly experts are available to talk to you either on the phone or at our in-store location whether you know exactly what you’re looking for or would like help selecting the best gear and models to help you thrive as you outfit your home.

Give us a call at 615.383.8200 or stop by our store in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville today. We look forward to hearing from you.