Making your home a Smart Home

This topic is so broad that it is impossible to explain everything in a short article, but I will start with the basics – and if there is demand, I will do a follow-up.

I started my Smart Home journey in 2017, with a single Sonoff Basic switch. Fast forward to today, and every device that uses electricity in my house can be controlled by my phone (from anywhere in the world), or one of the Google "Speakers" dotted around the house. I have timers set up for my geyser, pool pump and lights. (I also use Home Assistant (HA), but that is the subject of a whole other article.

So where to start?

There are many devices available (we sell some of them) to get you on the Smart Home trail.

The simplest and most cost-effective for plug-in devices is a "Smart Plug" No installation is required, you simply plug it into the wall, and plug your device into it. The Smart Plugs that we sell are controlled by an app called (appropriately) "Smart Life". You can also see the power consumption of any device plugged into the Smart Plug on the app, allowing you to plan your usage appropriately.

You can set "Scenes" with these Smart Plugs, allowing you to switch multiple devices on or off on a schedule, or according to an "If this then that" option – for example, if you decide that your fridge only needs to be on at certain hours, or you want to have certain plugs active only when you are home, The options are limitless – and the Internet is full of easy guides on exactly how to accomplish all of this.

The next step is using devices like the Sonoff POWR320D 20A – this is a 20 Amp device that can control your geyser, pool pump, etc. There is also an energy-monitoring function.

My pool pump and geyser run when I tell them to based on Sonoff devices in the DB (Distribution Board) – or I can simply tell Google to turn stuff on or off if I want to.

I also have Smart LED Lights – allowing me to set timers for best usage (or based on sunrise and sunset) for indoor and outdoor lights. Another option for lighting is to keep your standard LED lights and install a Mini Smart Switch in your light switch boxes (should be done by an electrician) – as then you can control whole banks of lights – like downlighters for example).

Then of course, security. A Smart Home should have a Smart Lock – allowing you to open your door with a fingerprint, an RFID card, a passcode, your Smart Life app, and more.

All you need is a local Wifi network for these devices to connect to.

If you want to purchase any of these devices, or you want to find out more about getting started with your Smart Home, send me an email – dion@perfectlaser.co.za