Smart homes who’s done it?

[PJ87]

Took the plunge this week

I’ve spent a small fortune but got myself two echo dots to control it all then got some hive bulbs for the kitchen, WiFi bulbs for other areas , couple of plugs and an IR sender for the tv

Alexa can now do anything I ask which is a novelty atm but been useful at times already

Will be useful when we go on holiday in the summer .. can schedule sets of lights to come on at diff times give illusion of someone in and have it play music at diff times aswell so anyone going past thinks we in

Impressed so far

 

[USER1999]

All the way until said burglar rings the door bell.

 

[Pin-seeker]

I’ve enough with my 11yr old leaving all the lights on.

 

[Beezerk]

Just Hive for me at the moment but I do like the idea of some of smart lighting. Not bothered about Alexa or whatever, that just seems a bit of a gimmick at the minute.

 

[Fade and Die]

Took the plunge this week

I’ve spent a small fortune but got myself two echo dots to control it all then got some hive bulbs for the kitchen, WiFi bulbs for other areas , couple of plugs and an IR sender for the tv

Alexa can now do anything I ask which is a novelty atm but been useful at times already

Will be useful when we go on holiday in the summer .. can schedule sets of lights to come on at diff times give illusion of someone in and have it play music at diff times aswell so anyone going past thinks we in

Impressed so far

What are the benefits you are hoping for Paul? Saving on the leccy bill? It might be a while before you see the benefits if your up front outlay is high. I use a programmer for my heating and led lamps everywhere, and I wouldn’t have an Alexa in the house if you paid me! 😄

 

[PJ87]

Just Hive for me at the moment but I do like the idea of some of smart lighting. Not bothered about Alexa or whatever, that just seems a bit of a gimmick at the minute.

I thought that until I got the bulbs and controlling it via the app got annoying so got Alexa and just do with my voice

Alexa lights on

All the way until said burglar rings the door bell.

Next step is ring door bell so you see them and put them off

But then again I have Cctv , alarm and fence spikes I’m pretty happy 😂

 

[PJ87]

What are the benefits you are hoping for Paul? Saving on the leccy bill? It might be a while before you see the benefits if your up front is high. I use a programmer for my heating and led lamps everywhere, and I wouldn’t have an Alexa in the house if you paid me! 😄

I’ve got a routine set up called movie mode

Alexa movie mode

Lights go out.. apart from sofa ones that dim to 10% perfect mood setting

The daughter loves the lights turning blue aswell lol

 

[Beezerk]

I thought that until I got the bulbs and controlling it via the app got annoying so got Alexa and just do with my voice

Alexa lights on

I’d prefer those controlled by motion sensors like you get in some hotels and offices. No messing about with commands then, they just come on when you enter a room.

 

[PJ87]

I’d prefer those controlled by motion sensors like you get in some hotels and offices. No messing about with commands then, they just come on when you enter a room.

They are good, might do that in the loft when it’s done

 

[Fade and Die]

I’ve got a routine set up called movie mode

Alexa movie mode

Lights go out.. apart from sofa ones that dim to 10% perfect mood setting

The daughter loves the lights turning blue aswell lol

Does Alexa order the pizza too?👍😁

 

[bluewolf]

I thought that until I got the bulbs and controlling it via the app got annoying so got Alexa and just do with my voice

Alexa lights on


Next step is ring door bell so you see them and put them off

But then again I have Cctv , alarm and fence spikes I’m pretty happy 😂

Where the absolute feck do you live? A Brazilian Favela? 😁

 

[PJ87]

Does Alexa order the pizza too?👍😁

Apparently that can be done!

 

[PJ87]

Where the absolute feck do you live? A Brazilian Favela? 😁

The Mrs won’t let me get a moat with crocodiles in it apparently too dangerous

 

[Fade and Die]

Apparently that can be done!

Right after it sends your details to DFS coz you told the Mrs you think the sofa looks a bit tired? 😂

#donttrusttech!

 

[Beezerk]

They are good, might do that in the loft when it’s done

Yeah cool as buggery, I haven’t looked into them but I’m hoping there would be a wireless system available for homes.

 

[PJ87]

Right after it sends your details to DFS coz you told the Mrs you think the sofa looks a bit tired? 😂

#donttrusttech!

Best put your mobile in the microwave then lol

 

[ScienceBoy]

Looked into it a fair few times but not yet come out wanting to do it.

Might in a few years when prices settle down, for now its a nice toy but not something I would see as an investment.

We instead saved over £200 a year just by changing our behaviour, add that to the cost of a smart home and we saved a lot of money!

 

[PJ87]

Looked into it a fair few times but not yet come out wanting to do it.

Might in a few years when prices settle down, for now its a nice toy but not something I would see as an investment.

We instead saved over £200 a year just by changing our behaviour, add that to the cost of a smart home and we saved a lot of money!

Have to admit none of this is with a view to save cash , Mainly security and I love automation to make things more interesting

 

[ScienceBoy]

Have to admit none of this is with a view to save cash , Mainly security and I love automation to make things more interesting

Everyone is at a different place, for us cash was the big issue. I fully admit it looks like a whole lot of fun, which is why we looked at it in the first place.

The time will come for me, just not today.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I thought that until I got the bulbs and controlling it via the app got annoying so got Alexa and just do with my voice

Alexa lights on


Next step is ring door bell so you see them and put them off

But then again I have Cctv , alarm and fence spikes I’m pretty happy 😂

All well and good but you’re in the States and Billy the Burglar rings the door bell at 9am; are you getting up between 1am and 5am depending on where you are to put him off? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for keeping the theiving scum out but I’d have serious reservations about a Ring door bell unless there is someone available 24/7 to answer it. Went for a decent alarm but not sure that the Ring door bells aren’t a little overrated.