Day: November 13, 2020

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Alarm New England

Home automation protocols are the language that smart home devices use to communicate with one another. Communication is vital for smart home automation, because if your devices can’t “talk” to each other using the same language, controlling each one becomes more of a chore.

Because of this, it is important to understand how it works before deciding which is best for you and your home.

With about ten different home automation standards on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your home. There are two basic categories to work with: wired and wireless.

Common examples of wired protocols are X10 and UPB. These smart home protocols use your home’s existing wiring to communicate. Wired protocols are known for their reliability, but tend to be slower and more difficult to encrypt.

Wireless protocols, on the other hand, are typically faster and are compatible with a wider range of devices. These protocols — including Z-Wave and Zigbee — are able to connect and communication without relying on the use of power lines which makes them easier to ensure that they are secured. Many home security systems are compatible with Z-Wave, making it the ideal if you want full control of all of your devices on one app.

There are also a couple of hybrid protocols like Insteon and C-Bus that use a combination of both wired and wireless technology.

What should you look for when choosing a home automation protocol?

Compatibility: certain protocols restrict you to using devices that may not appeal to you, so choose one that is easy to use in conjunction with a broad range of other smart home products.

Easy to Upgrade: New home automation technology is introduced to the market constantly, having a system that is highly compatible with other products will ensure that you can add on more features and devices in the future.

Other considerations when choosing a smart home protocol include cost, power consumption, and bandwidth.

Popular Home Automation Protocols

Z-Wave

Z-wave is a popular wireless protocol that uses radio frequencies to to communicate with other devices. Developed in Denmark, Z-Wave has rapidly become one of the most popular protocols because it is supported by over 450 companies across the world.

Features of Z-Wave

It’s fast. Z-wave runs on the 908.42MHz frequency. This is a much lower band than that used by most of your other household products (2.4GHz). Since Z-Wave devices don’t compete with other household products for bandwidth, there is a lower chance of interference, which improves efficiency and speed.

It’s easy to setup. Z-wave devices like the Yale smart lock are known for being simple to set up and fairly easy to use. Z-wave devices are controlled via a central hub that helps you manage your entire home network. Once the network is set up, you can easily add in smart home devices that can then be controlled by the Z-wave home protocol.

It’s compatible with a wide range of products. One of the best parts about choosing Z-wave automation is that any Z-wave device can communicate with another regardless of the brand, version or type.

Currently, there are more than 1,500 Z-wave compatible devices available throughout the world. With so many options, you have plenty of options to customize your home’s automation protocol.

It cuts down on energy usage. Additionally, Z-Wave devices tend to use less energy than some other protocols which means you can use more while keeping your energy bill low.

It’s future-proof. As home automation products continue to evolve over time, Z-wave will remain compatible with both old and new versions of products. This is ideal because it means that you can keep your same protocol even as technology advances.

ZigBee

Zigbee and Z-wave are very similar protocols, although Zigbee is more common in Chinese-branded products. Originally developed for commercial use, today Zigbee is now used widely in both home and commercial automation protocols.

Features of Zigbee

Fast communication. Similar to Z-wave, Zigbee uses radio frequency in order to communicate. Zigbee runs on the 802.15.14 radio standard. Using a mesh network, Zigbee can achieve fast communication and longer-range communication. A single hub powers multiple home automation devices.

Easy to create for. Zigbee is an easy protocol for developers to design new products that are compatible with it. Currently, there are over 1,200 products that are compatible with Zigbee. This is an open technology with new products being created all the time.

Low power consumption. One of the most powerful benefits of choosing Zigbee for your smart home automation is its super low power consumption. Zigbee is incredibly efficient, so you can actually operate a Zigbee device on the same set of batteries for years at a time.

Cut down on battery usage. Speaking of efficiency, Zigbee offers green power which eliminates the need to use batteries all together. This means you don’t have to worry about buying new batteries and that you can feel good about being environmentally friendly and efficient.

Improved security. Additionally, Zigbee is one of the most secure protocols available. It uses the same 128-bit bank-level encryption that most major financial systems utilize.

One issue Zigbee has faced in the past is having poor interoperability, meaning some Zigbee devices were unable to communicate with each other properly. However, newer versions of Zigbee have entered the market that aim to solve this issue and work well with other devices regardless of their brand.

Insteon

Insteon is unique in that it uses a mix of wired and wireless technology. It uses a patented dual-mesh network that utilizes both hardwired and wireless communication to help eliminate the weaknesses of both. There are multiple pathways for messages to travel.

Features of Insteon

An Insteon hub will connect with all Insteon compatible devices. You then have control of your home via smartphone, tablet or computer. It is also X10 compatible which means that you can add wireless capability to an existing X10 network.

Extremely easy to use. One of the major benefits of choosing Insteon is its use of use. Regardless of high technically inclined you are, you will be able to get the Insteon home automation standard up and running with relative ease.

Simple setup: If you know how to operate a smart phone, you will be able to operate this system. Additionally, all Insteon compatible devices are automatically added to the network as soon as you power them on, making set up a breeze.

Limited product options. There are over 200 compatible devices to automate your home. Insteon makes all of the products that use their protocol, meaning it is less compatible with products made by other manufacturers.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless smart home automation technology that uses radio waves to communicate. All Bluetooth devices contain a computer chip with Bluetooth software that allows it to simply connect with other devices.

Features of Bluetooth

Bluetooth’s compatibility is excellent. You can connect any Bluetooth enable device to any other Bluetooth enabled device with ease.

You can noticeable energy savings. One of the biggest benefits to choosing Bluetooth for your home automation standard is that it uses significantly less energy than other alternatives. This is ideal for those who like to monitor their energy consumption and be environmentally friendly.

Limited range of communication. One downfall of this automation is that it tends to have a limited range, so your device may stop working if you move out of range. Fortunately, this might change as technology improvements are underway that will eventually allow Bluetooth to have a larger range that can better compete with ZigBee and Z-wave protocols.

UPB

UPB is short for universal powerline bus. This is a wired protocol that was created back in 1999 and remains one of the more technically advanced protocols.

Features of UPB

UPB makes use of your home’s existing wiring to communicate between devices. This is not as user-friendly, but can provide more reliability if that’s a higher priority. As with Z-Wave and Zigbee, UPB-compatible devices are linked to one another using a central home controller. Each device needs to be manually set up to the network, making this a setup more time-consuming.

Reliable.Because it uses your home’s electric wires, it doesn’t run into as many interference and range issues that wireless protocols do. If you are somewhat tech-savvy and value reliability, UPB may be a great option for your smart home automation protocol.

Limited compatibility. Although UPB has been on the market for awhile now, it is not compatible with as many home automation products as some other choices. UPB is also known for being difficult to connect with wireless devices, limiting your ability to upgrade your smart home system with additional equipment down the line.

Conclusion

These are only some of the most popular protocols in use today; there are a number of smaller ones out there that were left out. If you are looking to install a home automation protocol in you home, we hope this information will provide a resource for you to get started.

With so many smart home protocol choices and options available to complement your smart home security system, you are sure to find one that suits your home’s specific needs.

Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by Alarm New England

As a homeowner who takes your family’s security seriously, you probably already have a surveillance or alarm system in place. But maybe you’ve been wondering how you can get more from your home security system.

Home automation technology could be your next step. Read on to learn what home automation is and all the neat things you can do with it. We’ll also help you start researching which features and brands you could use in your smart home.

What Is Home Automation?

Home automation technology allows homeowners to improve the convenience, efficiency, comfort, and security of their homes by giving them automated control over various home systems.

Home automation uses information and technology to remotely configure and connect devices, like home appliances and electrical systems, to perform intuitive and useful tasks. The automating of such tasks—like lighting, heating, and ventilation—can save time and money and allows you to personalize your home to your preferences.

To work correctly, a comprehensive home automation system links several electrical devices together through a computer network. This lets you control various home functions from a personal computer and allows for remote access on your phone or tablet.

Smart home technology and the connected devices don’t just connect to your phone, though—now, they are compatible with virtual assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home. The voice-controlled smart software can be used to set up and monitor a household and all connected appliances.

Home automation can range from simple remote control lighting to remote access capabilities of a number of integrated household functions. An appliance or electronic device can be set to respond to a certain time-based event, like turning the lights off in a room after a period of no motion, or a non-scheduled event, such as sending a notification to your phone when high levels of air pollution are detected.

Home automation also extends to home security, such as access control and alarm systems. With home automation technology, you can stay connected and informed when things happen in your home. An app or control panel will notify you of any leaks, faults, or unforeseen events when you are away.

Past problems with home automation’s complexity, high cost, and incompatibility issues have been ironed out in the last few years. This technology is more affordable and accessible today than ever before, meaning a residential house can quickly become a smart house. Automated “homes of the future” are becoming the homes of today.

The Many Benefits of Home Automation

A Coldwell Banker survey found that around 70 percent of consumers who owned home automation technology say buying their first connected product made them more likely to buy another.

It’s easy to see why. Imagine being able to unlock the door for a friend or turn on the coffee machine while you’re in bed, or being able to warm the bed and turn on the security system while waiting in line at the grocery store. These luxuries are what make home automation so popular.

Today’s home automation varies widely in scope and capabilities. For example, thermostats and sprinkler systems have long had the ability to be programmed to run on a defined schedule. However, home automation now allows these devices to be scheduled remotely and integrates data, like weather patterns and temperature, to run the devices more efficiently.

An integrated home automation system, rather than being restricted to a single function or device, encompasses the entire household, thus exceeding the scope of a traditional system.

These are just some of the benefits of an integrated home automation setup.

Incredible convenience

You are accustomed to controlling your TV from the couch; now imagine being able to dim the lights, close the curtains, and lock the door without getting up. Home automation technology even lets you make changes while you’re away from home.

Never get locked out again

Home automation allows you to control your home’s locks remotely with your phone. That means no more panic attacks when you realize you left the key on the kitchen counter in your rush out the door.

Improved comfort

Temperature control is one of the most important factors of home comfort. Imagine the bathroom heater set to automatically start five minutes before you alarm goes off in the morning—no matter what time the alarm is set for—so the room is warm and ready when you are.

Lower energy costs

Forgetting to set the temperature back or turn the lights off when you leave wastes energy. Even when you’re halfway across town, you can make adjustments to your home’s lighting and HVAC system to save energy.

The system can track and monitor the usage of different applications and devices. Idle devices can be powered off, while other applications that are not being accessed often can be powered down to a more energy-efficient state.

By setting a category for each device, like “Arriving Home” or “On Vacation,” you can simultaneously initiate a set of functions with a click of a button. When “Arriving Home” is selected, your alarm system will disarm, the lights of selected rooms will switch on, and the television and sound system will wake up.

Heightened security

Home automation gives you full control of your security system. You can set up email and text alerts that inform you of your home security status. With features such as a remote garage door control, smart locks, video doorbells, and window covering controls, you can close up and secure your home from anywhere.

Elderly health and wellness

Smart home automation can provide an enormous amount of assistance in supporting the elderly.

Eldercare is considered a full-time responsibility and often requires an individual to monitor the older person and their actions. With home automation, mundane and routine tasks, like bathing, cooking, and sleeping, can be tracked and safety-proofed. Security systems can be customized for seniors to include medical pendants or panic buttons so that in the event of a fall or other injury, help is always within reach.

As an example, faucets can be set to turn off automatically after a short duration, preventing them from being left on or causing a flood. A family member or medical official can be sent a notification if a person’s wearable device detects a change in weight, breathing, or sleeping pattern.

Fun

Programming your personal settings is rewarding as you see just how detailed you can make your home automation system. Program the coffee maker to brew you a pot every morning and program an “entertainment” mode that dims the lights, closes the curtain, and starts music playing in the living room. You’ll love showing off your next-gen tech to your friends.

Systems You Can Control With Home Automation

Almost any appliance or electronic device in your home can be programmed, including lighting, heating and air conditioning equipment, domestic activities, kitchen appliances, and home security systems.

An HVAC system

With a home automation system, you can adjust your internet-enabled thermostat if you left the air conditioner blasting, or if your shift ends earlier than usual, you can remotely turn on your HVAC system before you leave work so it’s comfortable when you get home.

Lights

Home automation allows you to change the brightness in a room without getting up, to remotely check whether the last person to leave your house turned off the lights, and to manage the lights around your home while you’re out of town to make it appear as though someone is home.

Domestic activities

Home automation systems can control everything from your blinds and garage door to your coffee maker and sprinkler system, even if you’re not at home.

Door locks

Home automation gives you the ability to remotely unlock doors to let people in when you’re not home and lock the doors again when they leave. Carrying too many bags in both hands? You can activate the Bluetooth Disarming feature on your phone to automatically unlock your door and disarm your security system as you approach.

Security cameras and alarms

Arm and disarm your home security system to let people in your home, and use security cameras to double-check that the areas around your home are still secure when you’re not there.

Home entertainment

Home automation can help with home entertainment, too. You can make sure your devices are shut off when they should be or program your DVR to record a movie if you forgot to before you left home.

Typically, you can control all of these home automation functions in a number of ways:

• From a touchscreen panel on the wall
• From your phone, tablet, or computer
• From inside or outside your home
• One at a time or all at once
• Automatically, based on a set timer or contingent upon other events (when the doors are locked, the curtains shut; when your alarm clock goes off, the coffee maker turns on)

5 Steps to Getting Started With Home Automation

1. Identify your needs

How in-depth do you want your home automation system to be, and how much setup are you willing to do yourself?

X10 is the cheapest and most basic protocol option available. X10-compatible products include lamps, light switches, and some alarm systems. It has its limitations, including the fact that it can’t send a lot of data quickly.

If you’re willing to do a lot of the setup yourself for a basic home automation system, X10 could be right for you. However, if you want something more in-depth, check out Z-Wave, INSTEON, or Zigbee. These home automation protocols are available from many brands and can support a wide variety of functions.

2. Consider different brands

You must choose which brand you want before you start buying home automation components with competing standards. Identify which brand delivers the home automation functions you want at a reasonable price. Top brands you have to choose from include:

Qolsys

Powered by the Alarm.com app, Qolsys has a reputation for building reliable products that come with a suite of powerful features you can’t find anywhere else.

Honeywell Home Automation

Honeywell is a well-established home security and automation product manufacturer with many years of experience in the space.

DSC

DSC is a home automation provider on the low end of the market. It offers its own hardware, paired with software produced by Telguard.

Napco

Napco offers home automation technology through its iBridge platform, which includes security, climate control, video, automatic lighting control, and remote control of locks and alarms.

DMP

DMP offers a full range of alarm system technology, including automation. However, DMP is sold primarily through individual alarm installers and its ecosystem is more limited than other options.

iControl

iControl partners with hardware providers, such as Honeywell, to deliver its home automation software.

Savant

Savant offers a full range of advanced home automation, from basic remote control of alarm systems through full control of household A/V systems.

3. Develop a budget

Unless you have a limitless budget, you may need to start small with a single thermostat or deadbolt to get things started. Over time, you can add more devices as you see fit.

The following popular categories for new automation systems can be installed individually and integrated with other systems later when you’re ready:

• Automation for your existing security system
• Automated door locks
• Light controls
• Smart programmable thermostat
• Remote garage door control
• Remote control electronics and appliances

4. Locate a good installer in your area

No matter how avid a DIYer you are, it’s imperative that you find a qualified installer program and set up your system for you. Integrating systems together is complicated—much more so than simply programming a universal remote.

Just think, a few decades from now, people will expect all homes to come with automation features. It’s a concept that has been featured in science fiction stories for decades, but now it can be a reality in your home.

5. Taking smart home automation to the next level with home security

Safety and security in your home are non-negotiable. Home security has evolved with improvements in technology, and you can now integrate devices like security cameras, doorbell cameras with microphones, smoke detectors, motion detectors, and alarm systems into your smart home automation.

Most of these devices are coded to perform repetitive tasks and react to preconfigured events. With home automation, they can become even more effective and intuitive and provide faster, more meaningful remote reactions and notifications.

Smart home security integrations can perform tasks like activating all lights in a house when motion is detected or automatically locking doors when it gets dark.

Being able to create “mockupancy” scenarios when an intruder is detected or stream real-time video footage to your smartphone allows you to have greater control over your security and helps you feel safer whether you’re at home or away.

Most importantly, the same technology that powers home automation can also let you monitor and address safety concerns happening at your home remotely and in real time, making it the perfect companion system for your burglar and fire alarms.

One of the biggest hidden benefits that comes with home automation is peace of mind. No more worrying if you turned of the lights, locked the door or turned off the television. For people who have a lot on their plates, being able to easily check these items off the to-do list and stop the obsessive worrying, home automation is reassuring and definitely worth the investment.

Home automation let’s you take control and reduce the unknowns.

Let Alarm New England help you assess whether Home Automation is right for you.

Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Alarm New England

Your garage is an important part of your house and often a storage place for valuables like tools, bicycles, and of course, our cars.

Add in the fact that many of us purposely or accidentally leave the door from the garage to the house unlocked, and it’s easy to see why securing your garage is one of the most important steps in securing your entire home.

10 Tips For a More Secure Garage:

1. The best thing you can do to improve your safety by simply remembering to never leave your garage door open. It’s easy to forget to close it behind you, or to leave it open when you’re casually working outside or going in and out of the house. If you habitually forget to close the garage door, consider installing a timer that will close the door automatically after a set amount of time, even if you drive away or go to bed and forget to manually close it. Many modern home security systems are compatible with garage door openers that you can activate to control your garage door when you’re not nearby.
2. Another easy way to prevent break-ins is to never keep the garage door remote inside your car, whether you’re at home or when you’re away. There are tons of ways to secure a home, but with vehicles there aren’t many affordable options. A stolen garage door remote is a simple way for someone to access your home.

   Purchase a keyfob remote from your alarm company that’s convenient and easy to keep with you, just like your other important key.

3. Keep a radio on at low volume in the garage, especially when not home. This may seem like an old trick, but many burglaries are crimes of opportunity that rely on simple indicators that a house is empty and vulnerable.

   A burglar will often move on if they even suspect someone might be home or doing something in the garage. Keeping a small radio on low gives the illusion of activity and might just be enough to make a potential burglar move on. Check out our detailed resource on simple home security tips that can keep your property safe.

4. Does your garage door have windows? If so, covering them with a frosted film or curtains is an easy way to prevent burglars from seeing inside and can reduce the likelihood of a break-in. Take the necessary steps to keep these windows secure. Overall, the less visibility a potential burglar has into your home, the better.
5. Secure the emergency garage door release. It’s as cheap and easy as a couple of zip ties and a quick internet search for a how-to lesson. Most garage doors have an emergency release located on the inside of the door which, though useful in an emergency, also create a vulnerability by allowing burglars to activate the release with a wire from outside the door, much like breaking into a car door. After securing this emergency release with zip ties, it can no longer be opened from outside, but will still function from the inside as the zip ties can be easily broken.
6. Install motion-detecting lights. Lighting that turns on when someone approaches your driveway and garage door is convenient for you and provides an added layer of safety in case someone is prowling around. Motion-activated lighting can deter potential burglars and alert you that someone is nearby.

   

7. Don’t use an exterior keypad, if possible. Many garage doors feature a security keypad on the outside of the house that can be used to open the garage door with a code. If you have one, do you know how secure it is? Can someone easily guess the entry code? What if it’s destroyed or the batteries are removed?

   As with keeping a remote in your car, it’s safest to avoid the exterior keypad and just keep a garage door remote in your bag or on your keys.

8. Install a peephole or camera with adequate lighting to grant you vision into the garage. In the event that you hear noise in your garage, having a peephole or a camera gives you the ability to see what’s going on and make informed decisions about taking further action.

   

   Remember that if the garage is dark, you won’t be able to see much, so this is where motion-sensing lights also play a role. Being able to see your garage clearly at a glance gives you added time and information in case of a break-in.
9. To protect the rest of your home in the event that someone does access your garage, treat the door from the garage to the house like any other exterior door. Lock it behind you, and make sure it’s connected to your home alarm system.

   Install a secure keyless deadbolt and don’t make a habit of leaving this door open or unlocked. This will also help better insulate your home in the colder months.

   

10. Secure your interior door against break-ins. If the door opens inward toward your house, consider installing a security device like Door Devil or Armor Concept’s Door Armor that will prevent a door from being kicked in. Just like keeping this door locked, this will ensure that the garage is your home’s first line of defense, but not the last.

Last Updated on March 4, 2022 by Alarm New England

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time. However, it can also be a very stressful and busy period with so many things to buy and organize.

Luckily, with our thorough first apartment checklist, you don’t need to worry about figuring out all of these things for yourself. Read on to find out what you need to make living in your apartment a much better experience for you from day one.

Bedroom

1. Bed frame, mattress, pillows, and blankets

At the absolute minimum, you are going to need to move in with a bedframe, mattress, pillows, and bedding to lay your head down and get a good night’s rest after moving day.

Your bedroom is your haven, so making sure this room provides a bit of relief from the rest of the mess is important!

Lounge

2. Couch or seating

Even if you start off with one couch or futon and then add in a few extra chairs as you go along, just having that one is key to making your home feel like you’re living in it. Plus, it’s a space for you to unwind after a long day.

3. Coffee table and TV stand

It’s important to get a coffee table before you expand your living room with more seating. You’ll feel amiss without one, and it’s simply asking for something to be spilled should plates and glasses be placed on the ground all the time.

And while you are picking out furniture, your TV will likely need a stand unless you’ve got room to mount it on the wall.

4. TV

While it’s not completely necessary, a TV is something that you are likely going to want in your apartment at some point. Now that you have your own space, you can have movie nights, stream your favorite TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, and attach your preferred video game console to enjoy your content on a big screen.

If you want to invite friends over or host small gatherings, there’s no question that you’ll want something like a TV that can keep them entertainment.

Kitchen

5. Kitchen essentials

You’ll find that you never truly stop adding to your kitchen repertoire, but as an overview, you’re going to need these items at the very least:

• Plates and bowls
• Cutlery
• Water glasses and mugs
• Chopping knives and a cutting board
• Pots and a frying pan
• Tin opener
• Peeler
• Corkscrew
• Spatula or cooking utensil
• Trash can

6. Kitchen appliances

If these kitchen appliances aren’t already included in your apartment, you’ll definitely want a kettle, toaster, and microwave. They’re the basic essentials for any starter kitchen.

Climate Control

7. Window AC unit and smart thermostat

If you live in an area with uncomfortably hot and humid summers, a window air conditioning unit is an investment that you need to make for your own comfort.

Of course, once you have one, it is handy to be able to control the climate remotely so that you arrive home to a cool apartment. A smart thermostat will help you create and maintain a comfortable environment from your phone or laptop.

8. Humidifier, fan, and heater

To make sure that the air you’re breathing isn’t dry and potentially damaging to your airways, purchase a humidifier for your first apartment. Pollution is an unfortunate reality, as are allergies caused by dust, pollen, and pet hair.

You will also find a fan handy for rooms where your AC unit doesn’t reach, especially if you have a bigger apartment. And if you live in a place that gets cold in the winter, heaters will help you stay toasty warm despite the outside chill.

Each of these items is portable and can be moved from room to room as you please, making them useful to fill in the gaps and keep you feeling comfortable in your apartment.

Security

9. Home security system

Even though you’ve just moved into an apartment building and being surrounded by other people comes with its own level of security, a home security system for your apartment is still a good idea.

It’s an especially good idea if you travel a lot—and it’s best not to take any chances.

A home security system is easy to install, and you can find a variety of options to suit any kind of budget or home layout.

10. Video doorbell camera and keyless deadbolt

To see exactly who you are letting into your apartment, including all of your visitors, guests, contractors, friends, and family, we recommend installing a video doorbell.

Most video doorbell cameras connect with your smartphone and will notify you that someone is at your door before they have even pushed the button.

When you combine this with a keyless deadbolt, you can let people in and out as you please even if you are away from home.

With a keyless deadbolt, you won’t have to worry about losing your keys and getting stuck outside of your apartment. You can simply enter a code or use your smartphone to open the door.

11. Door security bar, padlocks, and chain

Security is a concern in any kind of living situation, especially in an apartment building where you don’t have as much control over who comes to visit your neighbors and who can come and go on the property.

Using a door security bar is one way of preventing any kind of forced entry from happening in your first apartment. It creates another barrier to entry so that getting through the door isn’t as easy as picking a lock.

For other entry points like an outdoor garage or exterior barred gate, a padlock and chain keeps these areas securely closed. Just remember that if the entry point is shared with other people in your building, you won’t be able to use these extra security precautions without permission from your landlord—so make sure the entry points leading directly to your space are secured.

Smart Home

12. Smart lightbulbs and smart plugs

Lighting is an essential part of your home, and while you might have been content with a lamp or two before, treat yourself to an upgrade in your first apartment.

With smart lightbulbs and switches, you can control the brightness of your lights remotely. This saves power, and it also creates the perfect ambiance for a quiet night in or that dinner party you’re planning to celebrate your new place.

Smart plugs are similar in concept: the things plugged into them can be turned on and off remotely or set to a timer. Typically, smart plugs are used to power appliances such as your TV or coffee machine.

DIY

13. Basic toolkit

You might not consider yourself a DIY person, but a basic toolkit is always important to have in your first apartment, because the truth is, you’ll never know when you might need it!

A basic toolkit should include the following:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Box cutter
• Pliers
• Tape measure

All of these simple items will prove useful when you’re trying to open something, fix something, or measure a space in order to buy new furniture.

14. Batteries, extension cords, and plug adapters

Between the TV remote and bedroom table side lamps, you’re going to need both batteries, surge protectors, extension cords available to power things in your new place.

Keeping a variety of extension cords and plug adapters on hand is always advisable as you will probably need to figure out different setups for new appliances and devices that have different types of prongs.

The same goes for batteries. Buy a few different sizes so that you are able to power up that flashlight in the dark, change the smoke alarm batteries late at night, or replace that clock battery and not lose any time.

15. Curtain rods, curtains, fittings, and stepladder

To get a bit of privacy when you move into your new place, you’ll need to put up curtains or blinds right away, especially in your bedroom and bathroom.

Try to get measurements for curtain sizes and rail types before moving in, and go shopping beforehand so that you have everything ready to install when you move in.

A stepladder will be an essential part of putting up those curtains. Not to mention that you’ll find it handy for installing your smart lightbulbs and reaching those ceiling-height storage cupboards to throw things into during the move.

Safety

16. Flashlight and matches

It probably won’t happen often, but there might be a time when the lights go out and you need to find your way around. Or you may need to investigate what is going on in the cupboard underneath your kitchen sink.

A flashlight is so helpful in situations like these, and it’s something that you can easily store away when not in use. Be sure to purchase a model that has a long-lasting battery, especially if you don’t use it often.

Just in case you haven’t heeded our advice to get batteries and a flashlight, make sure you have some matches on hand as a final resort to light the candles should all power systems go down.

17. First-aid kit

We all know that it is important to keep a first-aid kit in our homes, but it’s surprising how often we don’t have what we need when we need it most.

Since you never know when you might cut yourself, hurt yourself accidentally, or get a headache, it’s always a good idea to keep a first-aid kit in your first apartment.

You can easily purchase a variety of premade first-aid kits available in stores and online. However, if you’d like to put a kit together yourself, here are some of the common ailments and injuries you need to be prepared for:

• Burns
• Cuts
• Scrapes
• Stings
• Splinters
• Sprains
• Strains

18. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire extinguisher

All apartment buildings and homes are required by Massachusetts law to have a smoke alarm installed. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors also make sure that you are protected in case of a fire or a gas leak, both of which can happen accidentally.

In the same token, should you be alerted to a fire in your apartment, you’ll need a fire extinguisher to put it out—provided it is safe to do so.

Take a look at the variety of sizes of fire extinguishers available, as what you need will depend on the size of your apartment and the types of heating and fire-prone equipment that you use.

19. Fireproof safe

When moving into your first apartment, you’ll likely have a number of small, valuable items that you’re going to want to make secure as soon as possible.

In addition to all of the other security measures you’ve taken according to this list, a fireproof safe is a perfectly discrete option for keeping all of your valuables safe.

We recommend choosing a safe that can be firmly secured in a closet or somewhere else out of sight with a decent lock and fireproof capabilities.

Cleaning

20. Vacuum, mop, detergent, and rags

You’d be surprised just how easily you can forget in the excitement of moving into a new apartment how important it is to have cleaning equipment on hand. Depending on the state of the apartment when you move in, you may need to do some cleaning before you move your furniture and boxes in.

If you’re looking to do less of the cleaning yourself, then a robot vacuum cleaner is a great purchase to make. Schedule its cleaning rounds and you won’t have to worry about dragging a vacuum through your new apartment yourself.

Other smaller but equally as important cleaning items include a mop, detergent, rags, and bucket or two.

Bathroom

21. Shower curtain, shower rack, and laundry basket

Instead of spending your time mopping up after your first deserved shower in your brand new apartment, fit the shower curtain so you can put your feet up afterward.

Similarly, having a shower rack to store all your toiletries and a laundry basket to put your worn clothes into will provide a bit of organization on what can be a tiring and stressful day.

Conclusion

Of course, all of these items can be customized to suit your particular needs, so there is a lot of leeway in finding out exactly what will suit you, depending on your living circumstances.

Once you have these essential items from our first apartment checklist, you’ll feel 100% comfortable in your new living space, knowing that you’ve taken all the measures necessary to ensure your personal well-being and safety in your new home.

Last Updated on March 4, 2022 by Alarm New England

Over the last few years, home improvement gadgets have progressively become more technologically advanced. Today, most designs offer smart home systems that have secondary functions extending well beyond their core or primary intended purposes.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and the Ecobee4—the latest smart thermostats on the market—serve as prime examples.

Both thermostats are updated models of earlier products from their respective brands, and both offer greater flexibility and finer home climate control compared to their predecessors.

And both are compatible with a wide range of older generation HVAC systems, making their introduction into your home a relatively effortless process.

But how different are they from each other? And how do you choose one product over the other? Keep reading to see which one is best suited to your needs.

Honeywell Lyric T6

What It Does

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro thermostat is a smart home temperature control system. More precisely, its primary function is to assess your location and turn on your heating when you’re home, and turn it off when you’re out.

Main Features

One of the biggest advantages of the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro is that is uses the same UWP mounting system as all T Series thermostats. This means the installation process will be fairly simple and quick.

Additionally, you have the option of either setting it up and scheduling the smart thermostat like you would with any other thermostat, or you can manage the thermostat with a Honeywell Home app.

Some of the main selling points of the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro are its connectivity and functionality options, which are as follows:

• Simple Wi-Fi Connectivity. The connection process is easy, and the connection itself is strong. Installers can eliminate the hassle of an installation trip by simply sending customers an email inviting them to complete the connection themselves. This does, however, assume that the user has some degree of technological acumen.

  
  

  Technology isn’t always friendly though, and certainly not to everyone. Miscommunication can lead to frustration, and the promised convenience might end up being an inconvenience. In the end, depending on the capabilities of the people involved, this simplicity can be either a pro or a con.
• Unlimited control regardless of location. This gives users the option to control the thermostat settings from anywhere via a compatible mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.

  This means if you’re watching that match you’ve been looking forward to for months, you don’t have to leave your couch to adjust the thermostat setting. You just have to simply reach for your phone.

• Location-based temperature control. With geo-fencing, you don’t have to manually switch all your home automation products on or off, or rely on a set schedule.

  This feature uses your T6’s sensors to tell when you’ve left home and when you’ve returned. For instance, when you leave your home, the T6 can turn down your heating to save energy.

• Ecosystem integration. The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro works with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. This seamless integration allows you to control your system settings from the same app as the other systems if you so choose.

  Moreover, you can instantly adjust the settings of your thermostat by simply talking to Siri. The one caveat to this feature is that to control these settings, your phone has to be close to you so that Siri can hear you.

Functionality

For the sake of simplicity and overall better control, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro thermostat has three mode settings: “Home,” “Sleep,” and “Away.”

The Sleep mode allows you to set a temperature by specifying at what times the thermostat should be on and when it should be off. In this way, the automatic setting assumes control and you do not need to constantly adjust the settings unless there is a drastic change in the weather.

For both the Home and Away modes, you can set a specific temperature, and the thermostat turns on or off depending on whether or not you are home.

Another option you have is to create your own schedule of when the thermostat should be on and off during the daytime. You can do this by creating identical daily schedules, or designating presets for certain days of the week.

Or, you can have one collective set of settings for weekdays and another for the weekend. But by doing this, you override any location-based automation sequences you may have set up. Any of these options can be useful, you just have to choose the one that’s most convenient for you.

Finally, one of the main selling points of this smart thermostat is its energy savings, as the thermostat heats your home only when someone is in it.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro also offers support for multiple users. That way, everyone in the house can be signed on to the app with their own user account. When the “primary user” goes away, the rest of the family doesn’t have to be stuck with one temperature setting.

Ecobee4

What It Does

Like the T6 Pro, Ecobee’s latest thermostat is a smart home temperature control system that easily replaces your old thermostat. The Ecobee4 comes equipped with a remote sensor (outlined below). In case your home is large enough to warrant more sensors, or you simply want heightened efficiency, you can always purchase more sensors. There is no threat of overloading the system, so you can get as many sensors as you need.

Where the T6 Pro is driven by your location, the Ecobee4 is strongly dependent on the sensors. You can control this function in the following way: simply choose which sensors you want to operate in the comfort settings.

Once this is done, the thermostat will average the readings in these zones and adjust the HVAC system. For example, if you select the sensors in the bedroom, the thermostat will adjust the temperature there to an optimum comfort setting. This saves you from waking up in the middle of the night to make adjustments.

Main Features

The biggest selling point of the Ecobee4 is that while other thermostats like the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro make adjustments by reading the temperature in a single general area, such as the living room, the Ecobee4 relies on its sensors to detect hot or cold spots, and to safely regulate the temperatures in these areas with little input from you.

Other Ecobee4 features are as follows:

• Temperature display. The efficiency of the sensors is such that the thermostat is capable of reading both inside and outside temperatures. Both values are displayed on the screen along with the humidity of the room.
• Built-in Amazon Alexa voice service. This feature allows you to control your thermostat by talking to it. You don’t have to wonder whether your voice command went through; as soon as you say a command, a blue light on the thermostat will immediately blink in response.

  Even better, the Ecobee4 has embedded microphones and a speaker which were designed specifically for far-field voice and sound reception. Due to these features, the Ecobee4 can hear you from across the room. And, you have the option of adjusting the volume.

• Extended smart functions. The Ecobee4 is the perfect embodiment of a smart device designed to function well beyond its core use. The Amazon Alexa feature also comes in handy for other everyday uses, like if you need help finding and following a recipe. You can even set the device to remind you to add selected items to your grocery list; or you can simply command it order them.
  • Mobile device compatibility. You can easily adjust the temperature from the mobile app. The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices, including Apple Watches.
  • Noticeable energy savings. In addition to being able to easily control one’s immediate climate, smart thermostats are popular because they reduce energy bills and your carbon footprint. Because of its sensors, the Ecobee4 is efficient in detecting when people are home.

    This helps the smart system to finetune energy usage and avoid wasting power. The energy savings become more tangible in this way, with an average reduction in energy usage of 23%. For those who want to see exactly how much they’re saving, free energy reports can inform you how much you consume each month.

Functionality

As with the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro, the Ecobee4 has three mode settings: “Home,” “Away,” and “Sleep.” All of these modes can be accessed through the thermostat itself as well as through the website or app. But unlike the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro, the Ecobee4 allows for more flexible schedule settings.

For example, you can set the baseline comfort temperature for each of the three modes, meaning that you can count on the temperature to always be within specified limits. If you go away for an extended period and forget to adjust your settings, you will receive a series of alerts and reminders, and you can remotely make adjustments.

How Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and Ecobee4 Compare

Whether you get the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro or the Ecobee4 will come down to a few factors. On one hand, as indicated on Amazon, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro is cheaper than the Ecobee4.

On the other hand, the Ecobee4 has a few functional advantages over the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro. These include:

• The room-specific sensors that allow you to more accurately regulate cold and hot areas in your home.
• Flexibility with the heating and cooling schedule; the primary modes and your preferred settings don’t nullify each other.
• Guaranteed compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. Additionally, your phone doesn’t have to be close to you in order for you to change the settings as you can call to Ecobee4 from across the room.
• As a bonus, the secondary functions extend well beyond temperature control.

The Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro has one main advantage over the Ecobee4: It allows multiple primary users. But as the Ecobee4 is primarily driven by its efficient sensor system, this feature is hardly necessary.

Finally, when it comes to choosing home improvement gadgets, some people prefer the aesthetic of one product over another. After all, this device will, by default, form a part of your home decorations for the foreseeable future. In terms of dimensions, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro and the Ecobee4 are not that different from each other.

But in terms of looks, the T6 Pro has a more utilitarian keyboard-like appearance while the Ecobee4 has a rounder design closer to the Nest thermostat. As a result, the Honeywell Lyric T6 Pro looks like a digital clock while the Ecobee4 looks a little more sleek and modern.