The allure of smart home technology is stronger than ever. How many times have you seen an ad for a smart device like a thermostat or speaker advertised on TV or online? Maybe next-door neighbors have flaunted their new wireless speakers or smart lighting. Eventually, you’ll want to join in on the fun as well and embrace the best in luxury living. They key is knowing where to start.

Home automation companies are the best way to get a comprehensive, reliable technology solution. Every smart device from lighting to security goes under one umbrella for increased efficiency and comfort. But how do you know which one to go with? As you do your research, you’ll likely come upon three big names: Crestron, Control4 and Savant.

How do you know which one to go with? It depends on a variety of things, but we recommend a one-on-one consultation with your local technology experts to find the ideal solution for your home in San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels, TX, or the Texas Hill Country. As you read this blog, we showcase some of the reasons we personally like working with Savant in most of our projects.

Every time a new smart device hits the shelves, our clients come to us asking if it’s the right fit for their existing home automation system. In many cases, these new devices are not compatible or don't meet our safety and efficiency standards. As our clients expand the scope of their smart homes, we usually recommend they stick to trusted brands.

Relying on the same company—like Savant Systems—for most of your home will result in an even more reliable solution. That’s why we’re so excited about some of the unique features the company has to offer. We outline some of them below, to help you figure out which are the best fit for your home in San Antonio, TX or the Texas Hill Country.

Now that the scorching summer weather is behind us, it’s time to take in the crisp fall temperatures here in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country every chance we get. Though we can all use a little more sunshine, only a few of us are content sunbathing for hours. How can you make your outdoor spaces fun for everyone? Take advantage of an outdoor entertainment solution that lets you watch the latest Cowboys or Spurs game or catch up on the fall premiers. Since your television will be the hallmark of any outdoor entertainment system, we want to focus on that in this blog.

Fears about connected devices are not unfounded. Real threats exist of hackers accessing the devices on your home wi-fi to view surveillance footage and even unlock doors. With a physical attack, you know immediately when someone is in your home; cyber-attacks can be a lot more insidious. Hackers could be collecting data for extended periods to gauge your habits without you noticing.  

It's no wonder that many people are reluctant to join the Internet of Things bandwagon. The good news is that you can take a lot of easy steps to make sure your home wi-fi has a robust and secure foundation. From the devices you choose to ongoing maintenance, there are ways you can take advantage of this newfound technology without fearing a third-party intrusion.