Most smart home technology likes to boast that you can manage everything from an app. But is that really better than the traditional way? Replacing a remote or switch with an app still makes it a manual chore to turn on the lights or adjust the volume. And while there are some benefits to apps—accessing technology in any room from anywhere—you should aim for more. 

As smart home automation evolves, the goal is a self-managed home that handles everything in the background. Of course, you still get tactile controllers when needed, but they’re a choice, not a necessity, as you go about your day in your Fairfax County, VA, home. 

SEE MORE: The Professional Smart Home System vs. a DIY Solution 

Ditch the Manual Controls  

No more fumbling to find the remote or the light switch in the morning. Go from active controls like physically pressing a button to passive intelligence that prepares your home for you. A great example is your morning routine. At your usual wake-up time, the motorized shades open, lights fade on, and bathroom speakers start playing your favorite podcast or playlist. All the while, you move around your home without having to adjust anything. This type of passive intelligence is also great in high-traffic areas like mudrooms or hallways, where motion sensors illuminate the path as soon as you walk in. And lights turn off as soon as you’re gone to conserve energy. 

Designed for the Ultimate Comfort 

Your smart home automation system can respond to external stimuli to keep you comfortable throughout the day. For example, an astronomical clock tells your home when the sun sets in Northern Virginia, to trigger outdoor landscape lighting to turn on when needed. You always come home to a well-lit home. Temperature and photo sensors lower shades during peak heat hours to protect hardwood floors from UV damage and cool down the home. Your thermostat anticipates weather changes and proactively heats or cools the space.

Add Your Personal Touch At Any Time 

While a self-managed home is great at handling routines, there are moments when you’ll want to step in and take over. In those cases, it’s great to have other control options in the form of keypads, touchpads, or apps. 

Hosting a Dinner Party: When guests arrive, you might want to deviate from the daily schedule. With a single tap on your phone, dim the dining room pendants, soften the landscape lights, and start a curated jazz playlist throughout the house.

The Deep Listen: Some evenings are meant for total immersion in a new album. When you settle into your favorite chair, you might want the tactile response of a physical volume dial to fine-tune the experience exactly how you like it.

The Cinema Experience: In a dedicated theater, you want total control. Use a dedicated remote to find what you want to watch, start and pause as needed, and change the volume. 

Unlock a home that stays one step ahead of your schedule. Call or fill out our contact form to talk to our technicians about how to build your dream smart home.