COVID-19 has affected the entire world in ways we could never imagine. Many are still coming to grips with the changes that are needed to keep us safe, while making a living for our families. We have noticed some new trends in the smart home that can not only help keep your loved ones safe but can also help you adapt to the changes needed during the pandemic. We will highlight these essential upgrades in this article. As a bonus, we will also highlight some things that our customers are doing to help the time go by and enjoy ourselves while we’re in a shutdown.

Network Upgrades

In our recent article entitled: “Is Your Network Not ‘Cutting It’ While Working From Home? Here Are 5 Things You Can Do To Have a Solid Home Network!” We outlined the fact that many are working from home due to the pandemic and how vital a reliable home network is. Many of our customers are upgrading their home networks to stand up to the rigorous demand by their employers. Faster and secure computing is a must no matter what kind of work we are doing at home. Modern routers, WiFi systems, and the latest wiring have been the first upgrades our customers have been making to their homes.

Learn more about our home network solutions by clicking HERE.

Make Your Home More Comfortable To Work and Live In

Now that we’re all spending more time in our homes, why not make them more comfortable. That has been on the minds of our customers as well. Home automation systems not only make for a more comfortable home but they also help you save energy costs. By automating window treatments and the thermostat, implementers of smart home technology can have a comfortable space to live in and save money while doing it.

To ensure your HVAC is making the most difference, be sure to adjust the settings on your smart thermostat to help protect you against COVID-19. The EPA made these practical suggestions to make sure your HVAC and smart thermostat are COVID-19 ready.

“If you have an HVAC system:

• Run the system fan for longer times, or continuously, as HVAC systems filter the air only when the fan is running. Many systems can be set to run the fan even when no heating or cooling is taking place.
• Check to be sure the filter is correctly in place and consider upgrading the filter to a higher efficiency filter or the highest-rated filter that your system fan and filter slot can accommodate (consult your HVAC manual or an HVAC professional for details).
• (https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/can-running-hvac-system-my-home-help-protect-me-covid-19)

Learn more about our smart home automation by clicking HERE.

Indoor and Outdoor Entertainment Systems

As the great Kurt Kobain once said, “Here we are now, entertain us,” and that is what our customers are saying as well! While we cannot currently go to public pools, beaches, or water parks, we have our backyards and the pools that may reside there. So let us entertain you! We have seen a massive increase in outdoor HiFi speaker systems installed around the pool, grill stations, gazebos, and other areas in which you enjoy relaxing on your property.

Another way to have fun at home is to spend time in the home theater. Does your home theater need a facelift? To get more out of your home theater, check out our article “What You Need to Know About Speakers for Your Home Theater - Your Ears Will Love you After Reading This!” You will find out what type of surround system is best for your room. What about your LCD or perhaps your projector? Would going bigger be a suitable upgrade? Perhaps higher resolution?

Perhaps home theater automation would be the best fit. With one voice command or one button push, lights can fade, blinds can close, and the projector screen can lower. Our customers have been asking for these 2020 home theater upgrades, to name a few.

Learn more about our outdoor and home theater systems by clicking HERE.

Conclusion

We covered a few of the trends that we see in our industry. These solutions are at the top of the list of our customer demands for 2020. As we’ve heard many times in our lives, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Well… 2020 has given all of us a truckload of lemons, and Capitol Technology Group can lead the way to a lifetime supply of lemonade! Make sure that your smart home is 2020-proof and the restful haven you need while we all get through this crazy year together. 

For more information on how Capitol Technology Group can help you bring your smart home to the next level in the Greater Austin, Round Rock, Lakeway, Georgetown, Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Sugar Land, Spring, Katy, and Pearland, Texas area, give us a call or CONTACT US by filling out this short form.