3 Things to Consider Before Adding Smart Technology to Your Home
With the rise of smart home tech, the idea of automating your Aussie household is pretty appealing. But before diving in, there are a few important things to think about.
Whether you’re just adding a smart light or planning a full smart home setup, these three tips will help make sure your investment is worth it.
1. Choose an Ecosystem
Before buying anything, think about how you want your smart home to work together.
A smart home "ecosystem" means all your devices can talk to each other. When done right, this avoids the nightmare of juggling a dozen different apps and ensures your setup works seamlessly for the things you actually care about—like automating your lights or unlocking your door.
The most common smart home ecosystems are:
Pick one and stick to it as much as possible—it’ll make setup and troubleshooting easier.
2. Strong (and Fast) Wi-Fi
Most smart devices rely heavily on your Wi-Fi connection, not just to work, but to work well.
If your home Wi-Fi is patchy or your internet speed is slow, your smart devices may lag, fail to respond, or disconnect entirely. A few upgrades—like a better router or extra access points—can make a world of difference. This is especially important for devices like smart cameras or smart speakers that stream data constantly.
Pro tip: Don’t skimp on your network gear. Your smart home is only as smart as your Wi-Fi allows it to be.
3. Have a Backup Plan
Tech fails. It’s a fact of life.
Your smart lock might run out of battery. Your internet might go down. The best setups account for this with backup options—like a key for your lock, or physical switches that still control your smart lights.
In my own home, I made sure every smart light could still be controlled the old-fashioned way, so guests (or grandma) don’t need to learn voice commands just to turn on a lamp.
I built my system with this in mind from the start. You can read more about how I planned my DIY smart home setup here.
Now You’re Ready
A smart home can save time, energy, and effort—but only if it’s built with a bit of forethought.
So remember:
- Pick a solid, widely supported ecosystem.
- Invest in strong, reliable Wi-Fi.
- Always have a way to operate your essentials when tech fails.
Got questions or need help picking your first product? Start with my Ultimate Smart Home Guide for Australians or check out more smart home tips.