Make it work

Smart Home

Setup, compatibility, energy use, security, and the fixes that get a house running again.

Start here

Begin with plugs: the smallest device that teaches setup, compatibility, and the usual fixes.

Guide

Explore the devices that handle everyday routines, from lighting and temperature to voice control and automation.

Setup, compatibility, and the usual fixes for the smallest useful device.

Lamps, bulbs, and scenes that make rooms usable after dark.

Heat, schedules, and the energy questions that follow.

Voice control and the platforms the rest of the house has to match.

Cameras and locks that still need to work when the network does not.

Placement, apps, and the usual connection problems.

Entry hardware that has to work when the network does not.

What a plug or thermostat can actually change in a monthly bill.

Start with the problem, then work through the usual setup and connection mistakes.