Smart Home Automation Electrical Services in Phoenix, AZ

Most smart home systems do require WiFi to setup and install, as well as to function fully with all available features. Wi-Fi enables communication between various smart devices within the home and allows users to control and monitor these devices remotely via smartphones, tablets, or computers. Some features can be accessed using Bluetooth or other bands of communication, but WiFi is the most used and widely available.

Some smart devices, such as some smart light bulbs or thermostats, may function independently without WiFi connectivity, while others, like smart security cameras or voice-controlled assistants, may require WiFi to access their full range of features and capabilities, including remote monitoring and control.

The WiFi speeds needed to enable your smart home depends on several things, such as the number of devices connected to the network, the types of activities, the size of your home, and the quality of your WiFi equipment. To check your WiFi speeds or to run a WiFi speed audit, you can use sites like https://www.speedtest.net.

All you really need is a phone to call the experts at JR Electrical Services. We take care of it all from concept to completion! You may be looking for a few more details than that though. The ingredients to a smart home are as follows:

- Smart Home Hub - the hub is the brains behind the whole operation for your smart home. It’s what makes it all work together. An example of this and what we install most often for our customers is the Amazon Alexa.

- Smart Devices - there are all sorts of options for smart devices, things like smart lighting, smart thermostats, smart security and doorbells, smart locks, smart plugs and outlets, smart speakers, and more.

- WiFi network - most smart homes require an internet connection to communicate with you and within their own ecosystem to make things work. In our example, when you use voice-control to tell Alexa to turn on the lights, the Amazon Alexa hub uses WiFI to communicate with the smart lighting system to say, “hey you! turn on now.” Actual phrasing of the computer language may not be 100% accurate.

- Mobile App or Control Interface - this can be from your phone, computer, or tablet. Most smart home systems have their own apps you can download and configure to your own custom settings.

Depending on your smart home hub, a few things could happen, loss of remote control and limited functionality are the most common things to happen when your internet goes out in a smart home. Some smart home’s allow you to retain local control options, meaning as long as you’re at home and within the four walls of your home, you’ll still be able to turn things on and off. The same goes for automations and routines, they’ll still work locally, but you just can’t make any changes to them. So, if you have your lights setup to turn on at sunset, they’ll still turn on. But if you wanted to change that while the internet was out, you’ll have to wait. Sending and receiving security alerts may not work, but alarm sirens should still function. Lastly, voice-control may not work when the internet is out.

This is one of those questions where the answer is going to depend on several factors. The age of your home and your smart home needs being the two biggest factors. In any case, we'll perform a complete assessment before we begin and will address any panel upgrades or new outlets that may need to be installed, along with your smart home upgrade.

Here are a few other things to consider:

• Power Requirements: Many smart devices, like smart bulbs, switches, plugs, and sensors, work with standard electrical outlets. They don’t typically require special wiring beyond what is already built into most homes in Phoenix.

• Low-Voltage Wiring: Some smart home devices, like those made for security and automation systems, might require low-voltage wiring for power and communication, for example, security cameras, doorbell cameras, and smart thermostats. Low-voltage wiring can often be installed without significant modifications to existing electrical systems and is commonly used for home security and automation purposes.

• Ethernet Wiring: While Wi-Fi is the most common method of connecting smart devices in a home, some users prefer to use Ethernet wiring for certain applications, especially for devices that require high-speed and reliable connections, such as streaming media players, gaming consoles, or home office equipment. Ethernet wiring typically involves running Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a cables from a central networking location (e.g., router or switch) to individual devices or access points throughout the home.

• Structured Wiring Systems: In new construction or major renovations, homeowners might opt to install structured wiring systems that provide centralized distribution of various types of cables, including Ethernet, coaxial, and even telephone cables, to different rooms and locations within the home. Structured wiring systems can are a great idea to ensure scalability of any future technology needs and facilitate the integration of smart home devices and systems.