Home Automation Hacks to Improve Your Daily Routine and Improve Your Home Security

home automation hacks

While the convenience of smart devices is great, they can also be vulnerable to hackers looking to compromise your information or take control of your devices. This is why it is important to work with security professionals to ensure that the connectivity between your home automation devices and your home security system is secure.

The convenience of smart technology offers many benefits, from enabling you to control your thermostat from the couch to having instant gratification after your kids get out of bed in the morning. But the connectivity of these devices can make them a target for cybercriminals and voyeurs. If you are not careful, hackers can access your personal information or even take control of your devices, such as your doorbells and lights. In fact, this has been the source of some of the most disturbing hacks in recent history.

However, there are some simple steps you can take to help protect your smart technology and the privacy of your family. You can make sure your devices are protected by securing them with a password and having the most up-to-date software installed. You can also work with a professional to connect your home automation systems to your home security system for the added protection of 24/7 online monitoring.

Here are some cool and easy-to-do home automation hacks to improve your daily routine and the safety of your household.

1. Turn On Your Lights on Vacation

For those who are concerned about the appearance of their homes while on vacation, this smart home hack will put your mind at ease. When you set a schedule on your smart plug, it will toggle your lights on and off at intervals to give the illusion that someone is home, discouraging burglars from breaking in.

2. Play a Song for Visitors

This is a fun hack to let you know when delivery men and other visitors are approaching the front door. All you need is a sensor and a speaker to set up an automated playlist that will play a specific song when the sensors detect motion or a person. This way you can give a head’s up to your family before they answer the door or you could use it to greet guests and let them know that dinner is ready!

3. Stop Energy Wastage

Using a smart plug or smart switch and a Flow, you can create a recurring task that monitors your electric water heater’s usage every day and notifies you of the highest usage. Once the amount of usage exceeds your goal, you can take action by scheduling a power-off or adjusting the water heater’s settings.

4. Monitor and Log Energy Consumption

If you have a large smart appliance such as a furnace, air conditioner or heating unit, you can use Homey to monitor the device’s energy consumption and log the amount of usage. This can help you identify your biggest energy consumers and lower their usage so you can save money on utility bills.