Reasons for Tuning Up Your Home Technology Systems

Spring cleaning is an annual way to free your home of clutter and make space for the new. Similarly, giving your home’s functions a tune-up will make it lighter, stable, and more reliable livable so you can sit back and relax when summer rolls around. And just like spring cleaning, it can be tough to get started, so here are our top 10 reasons to tune up your house to give you that motivation to begin.

1. Check your Wi-Fi coverage

Are you tired of Wi-Fi dead spots around the house? Is your Wi-Fi running slow or are you tired of getting that annoying “hourglass” when streaming your favorite TV series? It may be time for a checkup of your home Wi-Fi network. For starters, it’s important to find a good central location for the router to ensure the best possible balance across the home. If a larger home, it may be worthwhile to invest in network access points to maintain a strong connection no matter where you are in your home.

2. Update to the latest network security software

With more and more devices in your home now “smart” and connected to the network, it’s critical that your network remains properly secure. Your wireless connection should always be password protected to avoid being exposed to outside unwanted access. Make sure the latest version of your antivirus software is installed along with router security and firewall settings configured correctly for the optimal layers of security. And in general, it’s also recommended that you keep sensitive personal information offline and away from the Internet altogether as much as possible.

3. Simplify your centralized home automation system

If you’re tired of your system going down or it seems glitchy at times, it may be time to examine the setup to see if a newer and simpler configuration will be the solution. A rewiring of your centralized automation system can also help regain stability between all the connected devices.

4. Update your system to use the latest streaming audio services

No longer is your home audio system limited to only your personal collection of CDs or even MP3s. With online streaming audio services like Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, and Sirius XM, you have instant access to an endless supply of your favorite types of music. Simply connect to your account and have your streaming settings saved for on-demand entertainment throughout the house.

5. Stabilize your system

More than likely, you have invested a lot of time and money into your home automation system. It was advertised to do this, and to do that, and to be the best thing ever, right? But when all was said and done, was that actually the case? Maybe it’s time to get a proper team of certified technicians to get your system up to par, discuss your needs, and to meet your actual expectations for a stable, reliable, and capable system. (Tip: call Hoppen Home Systems, we’ll send a team member out for a no-cost evaluation.)

6. Save more time

A home automation system is specifically designed to make your life easier. It’s there to make everyday tasks more convenient and to save you time. If you’re currently living in a smart home, this is the best time to tweak your controls and settings to ensure it works best for you and your family. If you don’t have a smart home system, it may be time to invest!

7. You can also save energy (and money!)

A home automation system is also more than just fun and convenience. It’s also a practical and smart investment. By streamlining your home automation, you can save some real cash on your energy bill each month by automating your lighting, heating, and other systems. For example, when you leave the house, a single “AWAY” button can be programmed to turn off the lights/audio/TVs, turn down the thermostats, and activate your security system.

8. You’ll never miss the game again

Enjoying the big game doesn’t always have to be huddled around the couch in the living room. With weather-resistant televisions, you can take the entertainment outdoors and view the game from your hot tub or while firing up the grill with friends. We can also install speakers throughout your home that stream single-source audio to whichever rooms of the home you choose, so you’ll never miss the game whether you’re refilling the guacamole or taking a bathroom break.

9. You’ll find peace of mind

Take a look at your home security system. Do you want to remove or add a camera? Are your movement sensors working accurately? By tuning up your security, you can identify areas for improvement to help you sleep soundly at night.

10. Now’s the time to integrate Alexa into your Control4 system

With a tune-up to your system, it’s your opportunity to include the latest voice features found in Amazon’s Alexa. When your hands are full or you are just not near one of your in-wall or handheld devices, ask Alexa to do it for you. “Alexa, turn on master bedroom Apple TV”, “Alexa, turn off the hallway lights and arm the security”, or “Alexa, take the dog for a walk”. Ok, she won’t be able to walk your dog (yet), but you get the idea. Ask us today about how we can add Alexa to your system.