What are some of the key initial elements to consider as you begin planning a home automation installation? Here are several. 

<p>A bit of advanced planning can go a long way in several different areas of our lives, and a good example here is anyone looking to install or upgrade a home automation system. This isn't the sort of project you can just pick up one afternoon and have completed by the evening; home automation takes some time and research to get right, and it pays to work with top professionals during this process.</p>
<p><img alt="wall tablet showing temperature inside home" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/prosource_member_blogs/VAUD23/VAUD23-home-automation-planning_1.jpg" /></p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we're proud to offer the very best home automation services available, including <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/residential-solutions/home-video" target="_blank">home&nbsp;video</a><a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/residential-solutions/home-video" target="_blank"></a></span>, home audio, security and surveillance, and more. We're also here to help with any needs you may have during your planning and budgeting processes for any of our systems, and we work with clients throughout this process. In this multi-part blog series, we'll go over all of the important areas to cover when planning a home automation installation or upgrade, including some you may be able to handle on your own and some others where our team will be happy to assist you.</p>
<h2>Looking at the Big Picture</h2>
<p>As you're getting started with your home automation setup, it's best to begin with a very broad view of the project. This means considering all of the potential areas where automation could be beneficial in your home, and not just focusing on the one or two that are most important to you right now. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of adding some new features to your home, but it's important to remember that automating everything at once can be very costly and may not be necessary. It's often best to start small, automate a few key areas, and then expand as needed or as your budget allows.</p>
<p><img alt="woman looking at home security on tablet" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/prosource_member_blogs/VAUD23/VAUD23-home-automation-planning_2.jpg" /></p>
<p>Some of the most common areas for automation include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Home security and surveillance</li>
<li>Lighting control</li>
<li>Climate control</li>
<li>Entertainment systems</li>
<li>Automatic doors and window coverings</li>
<li>And more!</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have a good idea of all the potential areas for automation in your home, you can start to narrow down which ones are most important to you and which can be put on the back burner for now. From there, it's time to start getting into the details of each individual area.</p>
<p><img alt="woman looking at floorplan of home on tablet" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/prosource_member_blogs/VAUD23/VAUD23-home-automation-planning_3.jpg" /></p>
<h2>Home Layout</h2>
<p>Next, you'll need to take a close look at your home's layout and start thinking about how automation can be integrated. This is where working with a <a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/our-process" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">professional team like ours</span></a> can really come in handy, as we have years of experience with home automation installations of all sizes and can offer some great insights during this planning phase.</p>
<p>For instance, if you're looking to automate your <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/residential-solutions/home-theater-media-rooms" target="_blank">entertainment&nbsp;system</a><a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/residential-solutions/home-theater-media-rooms" target="_blank"></a></span>, we'll need to take a close look at the layout of your home theater room or living room to determine the best placement for speakers, TVs, and other components. We'll also need to consider things like where your cable and internet connections are located and whether they can be easily reached.</p>
<p>In parts two and three of our series, we'll dig further into the details of the planning process for any home automation setup. For more on this, or to learn about any of our home security, surveillance, or entertainment systems, speak to the experts at AVI Systems today.</p>

Home Automation Planning: Big Picture, Home Layout

What are some of the key ways that home automation products help limit stress for their users? Here are several. 

<p>In <a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/blog/home-automation-and-stress-reduction" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">part one</span></a> of this two-part blog series, we looked at some of the chief ways that many people utilize home automation elements as a way of reducing stress. Many people draw much of their stress from day-to-day life, and home automation solutions offer convenience and assistance in many of these that often helps reduce stress in major ways.</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we're happy to offer a huge range of home automation and smart home options to clients in Draper, Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. We offer everything from entertainment-based options like home theaters and media rooms to important home security elements such as <a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/residential-solutions/video-surveillance" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">video surveillance</span></a>, plus many others in between. Today's part two of our series will look at some of the other ways people utilize home automation elements to improve peace of mind and limit stress.</p>
<h2>Relaxation Concepts</h2>
<p>Relaxation is a huge part of limiting stress, and home automation offers numerous ways of providing this. Imagine being able to control the lighting in your home from any room, or even remotely with a smartphone app. This can be used for more than just convenience; setting the right kinds of lights and colors can create a soothing environment that helps you relax after a stressful day.</p>
<p>Home automation also makes it easy to adjust temperature, so you don't have to worry about coming home to an uncomfortable environment. You can set your thermostat from anywhere, ensuring the temperature is just right when you arrive home &ndash; no more adjusting too-hot or too-cold temperatures that stress you out even more.</p>
<h2>Workout Complements</h2>
<p>Another way people utilize home automation elements is for improved workout experiences. The use of smart home apps with built-in fitness tracking and data collection can help you stay on top of your fitness goals. You can also use home automation elements to ensure the right amount of light and temperature in your home gym or other workout space, so you never have to worry about finding the optimal environment for a successful workout.</p>
<h2>Simple Pleasures Made More Convenient</h2>
<p>Finally, many of us reduce our stress through simple pleasures like watching a movie, playing a game, or enjoying a favorite beverage. Home automation can make these activities more convenient and stress-free. For example, you could set up your entertainment room so that with one button press, all the lights dim, the curtains close and the projector turns on &ndash; no need to fiddle with multiple remote controls! Automation also simplifies tasks like making a cup of coffee; programmable machines make it so you can set the perfect cup ahead of time and have your morning brew ready when you wake up.</p>
<p>For more here, or to learn about any of our home automation themes and services, speak to our dedicated staff at AVI Systems at your convenience!</p>

Home Automation and Stress Reduction: Relaxation and Convenience | AVI Systems

How can you set up your home’s automation system to provide value while you’re on vacation? Here are some basic ways.

<p>In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on how to set up your home's automation system while you're on vacation. This is one of the areas where having a smart home is highly advantageous, as it allows you to maintain certain security or other measures while you're gone, and knowing how to set these up properly is important for this.</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we're happy to offer a wide range of home automation products and services, from security and surveillance systems to home lighting, audio and video, and numerous others. What are some other tips we offer to clients on setting up their system before they head out on vacation? Here are several.</p>
<p><strong>Controlling Your Lights</strong></p>
<p><strong><img alt="aerial view of home blueprint showing which rooms have lights on" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_avi/VAUD23_Smart_Lighting.jpg" width="700" /></strong></p>
<p>There are several scenarios where lights can and should still be used even when you're away from home. Perhaps you're looking to keep the lights on at night to mimic the presence of someone for security reasons, or maybe you have pets and need to leave a light on for them.</p>
<p>One option here is to use a light timer, which will automatically turn lights on and off at certain times that you set. This can make it look like someone is still home, even when they're not. You can also use your smartphone to control the lights while you're away. Many of our lighting products are compatible with popular home automation systems and can be controlled remotely.</p>
<p>If you have pets, another option is to install a pet door that opens and closes automatically. This way, your animal can come and go as they please without needing a human to be there to let them in or out.</p>
<p><strong>Smart Speakers</strong></p>
<p><strong><img alt="smart speaker on coffee table next to smartphone" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q1_2022/CI_Blend-Smart-Technology-with-Home-Design_3.jpg" width="700" /></strong></p>
<p>You may not think there's much use for smart speakers if no one is home, but these may actually serve a vital security purpose for some homeowners. If you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can use these devices to call for help in the event of an emergency. Simply say "Alexa, call 911" or "OK, Google, call the police" and your smart speaker will place a call to emergency services.</p>
<p>In addition, many of today's smart speakers can actually listen for intruders and play a pre-recorded message to scare them off. This can be a great way to deter would-be burglars and add an extra layer of security to your home.</p>
<p><strong>Smart Locks</strong></p>
<p><strong><img alt="smartphone controlling a smart lock" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q2_2022/CI_How-Smart-Automation-Works-for-You_5.jpg" width="700" /></strong></p>
<p>Finally, if your home utilizes smart locks, be sure to set these to "locked" before you leave. This will ensure that your home is secure while you're away and prevent anyone from breaking in. You can also set up automatic locking, which will lock the doors after a certain period of time has passed.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the many ways you can use home automation to keep your home secure while you're away on vacation. For more information on our products and services, or to get started setting up your system, contact AVI Systems today.</p>

Home Automation and Vacations: Lights, Speakers, Locks 

What are some of the key risks you’re taking if you attempt to install home automation components without professional help?

<p><img alt="A custom integrater installs home automation technology" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_avi/home-automation-DIY-risks-controls.jpg" title="AVI " width="500" /></p>
<p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2022/02/08/slc-home-automation-diy-risks-safety-quality-and-compatibility/" target="_blank">part one</a>&nbsp;of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the key risks present in attempting to DIY (do it yourself) a home automation installation. While certain property needs can pretty easily be carried out by homeowners without much or any risk, home automation simply isn&rsquo;t one of these &mdash; only professionals should be involved in installing smart home components.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we&rsquo;re happy to offer a huge range of home automation systems to our clients, from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/multi-room-audio/" target="_blank">whole home audio</a>&nbsp;and 4K video to themes like security, surveillance and more. What are some of the other key risks you&rsquo;re taking if you attempt to install various smart home components on your own, without professional assistance? Here are several to keep in mind, reminders that you should always leave these jobs to us.</p>
<h2>Remote and Control Confusion</h2>
<p>Another common issue we&rsquo;ve seen in the past from people who have attempted their own installations: Because they&rsquo;re utilizing different brands and products, they end up with several different apps, controllers and remotes to try and control everything. Not only is this confusing and frustrating, but it&rsquo;s also a huge security risk.</p>
<p>What happens if you lose one of these controllers or accidentally give someone access to<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2019/08/02/adding-smart-locks-to-your-home-automation-system/" target="_blank">&nbsp;your home automation system</a>? They could potentially wreak havoc on your entire setup. Rather, working with qualified professionals ensures that you&rsquo;ll have a single, unified control system for your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2022/01/11/home-automation-renovations-home-theater-smart-switches/" target="_blank">home automation</a>&nbsp;that is both easy to use and secure.</p>
<h2>Integration Issues</h2>
<p>One of the key areas home automation professionals are most valuable is in their ability to integrate all of your systems together. From your security cameras and sensors to your lighting, climate control and audio/video, a professional integrator can make sure everything works together seamlessly and looks great.</p>
<p>Attempting to do this on your own can often lead to problems &mdash; mismatches in colors or styles, products that don&rsquo;t quite work together the way you want them to, and more. With a professional on board, you can avoid all these issues and have a cohesive, stylish and effective home automation system.</p>
<h2>Problems With Remote Access</h2>
<p>Being able to access and control your system remotely is one of the biggest benefits of home automation. But if you&rsquo;re attempting this sort of setup without professional help, you&rsquo;ll be leaving your entire system vulnerable to hackers and other online threats.</p>
<p>Professionals can help secure your system and set up the necessary firewall and other protections to keep your home automation safe and sound. They can also help you set up remote access so that you can control your system from anywhere in the world.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the risks you take on when attempting a DIY home &mdash; risks that are eliminated when you work with qualified professionals. For more on our home automation services and how we help you avoid these problems, speak to the team at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/" target="_blank">AVI Systems</a>&nbsp;today.</p>

Home Automation DIY Risks: Controls, Integration, Remote Access

What are some of the risks associated with attempting DIY home automation installations without training? Here are several.

<p><img alt="Testing Electrical Current" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_avi/home-automation-DIY-risks.jpg" title="AVI" width="500" /></p>
<p>While there are many basic areas of our daily lives where do-it-yourself (DIY) efforts will be preferable to spending money on a third party to provide services, the realm of home automation isn&rsquo;t typically one of them. While there may be limited smart home items or fixtures you can purchase and install on your own, the setup of any significant or complex home automation system should almost always be carried out by trained professionals.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we&rsquo;re proud to offer a wide range of home automation services with full installation to clients throughout Salt Lake City and other parts of Utah, from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/multi-room-audio/" target="_blank">whole home audio</a>&nbsp;to home lighting, security systems and many other options. In this two-part blog series, we&rsquo;ll go over some reasons why DIY attempts at many complex home automation installs should be avoided, and why it&rsquo;s best to go with our team of professionals.</p>
<h2>Personal Safety Risks</h2>
<p>First and foremost, the single largest risk you&rsquo;re taking if you attempt to install complex&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2019/04/30/use-home-automation-systems-to-go-green-save-money/" target="_blank">home automation systems</a>&nbsp;without the proper training is one to your own personal safety. These installations require precision and attention to detail, and if you&rsquo;re not well-versed in applicable building codes or electrical knowledge, it&rsquo;s easy to make simple mistakes that could place you or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2021/07/13/smart-home-cybersecurity-risks-and-simple-tactics/" target="_blank">your home at serious risk</a>.</p>
<h2>Improper Installation</h2>
<p>In other cases, your DIY installation attempts will lead to improper installation, resulting in loss of service or worse. With many home automation services, it&rsquo;s not uncommon for the entire system to only function correctly when certain connections are made in a very specific way.</p>
<p>Attempting to cut corners or take short cuts can lead to your equipment failing completely or working improperly, which may even approach being dangerous if the wrong components are connected or used. On the other hand, when you go with our team of technicians at AVI Systems, you never have to wonder about whether or not your installation is being done properly, as we will always take all necessary precautions before performing any work on your home.</p>
<h2>Brand Compatibility Problems</h2>
<p>Compatibility is often a significant concern when it comes to home automation systems, and even if you manage to get the proper equipment, if it isn&rsquo;t compatible with your existing equipment or system, it won&rsquo;t work. Working with quality home automation experts, on the other hand, ensures compatibility is never a problem, due to the fact that we only use high-quality components from trusted manufacturers. We also have a full range of knowledge on which brands may be compatible with one another and which will not, and can help you navigate compatibility concerns on your end as well.</p>
<p>For more on the risks of attempting your own DIY smart home installation without training, or to learn about any of our home automation services in SLC or nearby areas, speak to the team at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/" target="_blank">AVI Systems</a>&nbsp;today.</p>

SLC Home Automation DIY Risks: Safety, Quality and Compatibility

What are some of the ways you might consider integrating smart home features into your home renovation? Here are a few.

<p><img alt="Home Theater" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_avi/home-automation-renovations-theater.jpg" title="AVI" width="500" /></p>
<p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2021/12/14/home-automation-renovations-entry-system-climate-lighting/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">part one</a>&nbsp;of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the simple ways you can integrate home automation themes into any major home remodeling process. Many smart home features are perfect for this sort of basic integration, allowing you to kill two birds with one metaphorical stone.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we&rsquo;re proud to offer a number of home automation themes, from home lighting and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/tv/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">4k video options</a>&nbsp;to home security and many others. What are some other quality options you have at your disposal for smart home upgrades as part of your renovation? Here are a few.</p>
<h2>Home Theater</h2>
<p>For many renovations on the larger side,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2019/07/05/installing-a-4k-video-home-theater-system/" target="_blank">home theater systems</a>&nbsp;are a perfect fit. Some renovations may require a new room built entirely for this purpose, but most can be integrated into existing areas without too much difficulty. Using a masking mechanism to black out the lights and lessen noise from outside sources is an easy way to ensure you enjoy your best-quality entertainment in any environment &ndash; not just ones you&rsquo;ve created for this specific purpose.</p>
<p>If you want the very highest possible video quality here, 4K sets are the way to go. 4K TVs are quickly becoming standard fare, with many major brands offering affordable choices for all types of budgets. Of course, if you&rsquo;re not too worried about price and want something truly impressive, high-end models can bump up to even higher resolutions for extremely crisp video images, so your movies will be more realistic than ever before.</p>
<h2>Various Smart Switches</h2>
<p>There are also numerous forms of smart switch that you might consider placing in various locations throughout your home renovation. For example, modular smart switches can be integrated into nearly any power outlet to transform it into a controllable device. If there&rsquo;s one spot in particular that you&rsquo;d like additional control over &ndash; perhaps a reading nook or study &ndash; this is an excellent option that provides numerous benefits at once.</p>
<p>Simple on/off capabilities aside, these smart switches also allow you to control the electrical load and occupancy of any plugged-in device, as well as check on its power usage and more. Many people go this route not just for the convenience they receive, but also for their ability to monitor electricity usage and potentially save money on their monthly bills.</p>
<p>For those with a keener interest in energy savings and sustainability, advanced low-energy options are excellent choices. These will adjust your lighting and other appliances in an effort to be as efficient as possible, ensuring you run your home renovation on the smallest amount of power necessary.</p>
<p>For more on how to include certain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2018/07/19/can-home-automation-save-you-money/" target="_blank">home automation</a>&nbsp;themes into your next big home renovation, or to learn about any of our smart home products or services, speak to the pros at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/" target="_blank">AVI Systems</a>&nbsp;today.</p>

Home Automation Renovations: Home Theater, Smart Switches

What are some ways you can integrate home automation elements into your renovation? Here are several.

<p><img alt="Home Hallway" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_avi/home-automation-renovations-entry-lighting.jpg" title="AVI" width="500" /></p>
<p>There are numerous reasons homeowners might consider renovations for their spaces, and one that&rsquo;s become more and more popular in the last decade or so is to improve home automation and smart home themes. There are numerous ways you can integrate smart home features into your renovation, many of which will help you improve property value in the process of making your home more convenient.</p>
<p>At AVI Systems, we&rsquo;re here to help with numerous&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/automation/" target="_blank">home automation solutions</a>, including everything from lighting and home audio systems through speakers, security items and a wide range of additional choices. What are some of the ways you might consider infusing home automation themes into your upcoming renovation? Here are several to keep in mind.</p>
<h2>Upgrade Entry System</h2>
<p>If part of your renovation involves your doors in any way, one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2021/03/09/smart-home-sustainability-themes-for-draper-homeowners/" target="_blank">smart home theme</a>&nbsp;you may strongly consider an upgrade to your overall entry system. There are a few ways you might be able to do this:</p>
<ul>
<li>Smart doorbell: This category of smart home item is especially helpful if you&rsquo;re planning any exterior renovations, as it will help keep your entryway secure even while you&rsquo;re at work or otherwise not home.</li>
<li>Smart lock: Another great choice to include in an upgrade to the entry system is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/2019/08/02/adding-smart-locks-to-your-home-automation-system/" target="_blank">smart lock</a>; this is good for those who don&rsquo;t feel like they need a full security system but still want to make sure their home is as secure as possible.</li>
<li>Additional surveillance: In some cases, you might even want to look into security cameras that are linked to your smart home system. This will help you get great footage of anyone who might be visiting while you&rsquo;re away.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Automate Climate Control</h2>
<p>Another option when you&rsquo;re making renovations is to look into automatic climate control systems. This is great if you&rsquo;re always on the go and find yourself forgetting to tweak the temperature of your home accordingly, and will also help reduce utility costs.</p>
<p>The simplest method here is the addition of a smart thermostat, which can be programmed to your specific needs. You can also look into a humidifier and dehumidifier for appropriate locations, and even investigate air purifiers and air ionizers if you find yourself with allergies or asthma.</p>
<h2>Automate Lighting Dynamics</h2>
<p>Lighting is another excellent area of your home to think about when it comes to smart home renovations; after all, you want to make sure you&rsquo;re able to turn the lights on when your hands are full and it&rsquo;s dark outside.</p>
<p>The simplest way to do this is by adding in smart lightbulbs; these can be customized easily and will fit into normal light fixtures without any hassle or additional costs. You can also look into automated lighting control systems, which will allow you to turn your lights on and off via a simple smartphone application.</p>
<p>For more on how to infuse home automation themes into your home renovation, or to learn about any of our services, speak to the team at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.avi-utah.com/" target="_blank">AVI Systems</a>&nbsp;today.</p>

Home Automation Renovations: Entry System, Climate, Lighting

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Home Automation Planning: Big Picture, Home Layout

Home Automation and Stress Reduction: Relaxation and Convenience | AVI Systems

Home Automation and Vacations: Lights, Speakers, Locks

Home Automation DIY Risks: Controls, Integration, Remote Access

SLC Home Automation DIY Risks: Safety, Quality and Compatibility

Home Automation Renovations: Home Theater, Smart Switches

Home Automation Renovations: Entry System, Climate, Lighting

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