When you say smart home, you might immediately think of a sci-fi level of connectivity where your oven cooks your dinner for you before you get home. While that is actually possible (with Home Connect Oven) modern smart homes do not require that all of your appliances and devices be WiFi enabled. In fact, using quick updates with smart plugs, voice assistants, smart light bulbs, and button pressers, you can upgrade your space quickly and cost-effectively.
Start small
If you are ready to begin building your smart home, start by taking an honest inventory of the things you already own. The chances are, that whether you realize it or not, you very likely have IFTTT enabled devices in your home. From Wifi-connected bulbs to smart speakers and voice assistant hubs, these smart devices have been making their way into our spaces for years but are often underutilized.
Inexpensive purchases like smart bulbs, smart plugs, and button pressers can quickly automate certain activities in your house.
Use your voice
Voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri can all act as triggers for integrations in your home and are accessible from your smartphone. Tell your assistant to turn on a light, close your garage door, or activate your home security system, all without moving.
Weather and location automations
Another free way to access smart elements is by tapping into the weather outside and your location. You can reduce your electricity usage by powering off your lights when you leave your house, or turn the heat down when it warms up outside. Check out the complete list of smart home weather automations here and location-based Applets here.
- Make a grand entrance with Philips Hue
2.5k - If you exit an area then turn your heating off601
- Current weather change? Activate a scene on Smart Life
72 - Change the light to blue if it starts to rain
301 - If the temperature outside drops below ___ °C, then set your tado° to ___ °C
46 - If it rises above ___ degrees outside then turn your A/C on83
Other guides
Check out our helpful guides for your smart home, including guides to smart plugs and lightbuls, and how to make a non-permanent smart home for renters.
Explore
Want to do even more with IFTTT? Explore the possibilities and create powerful experiences with the millions of available published Applets.
Smart home
Low gadget, high tech home tips
November 03, 2023
