Creating a Smart Home: The Essential Devices You Need to Get Started

Building a smart home is more than just adding smart home gadgets—it’s about creating a space that works for you, offering enhanced security, energy efficiency, convenience, and peace of mind. 

Whether you’re modernizing your home or managing multiple properties, the right smart home devices can completely transform the way you live and interact with your space. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the smart home essentials you need to get started.

1. Smart Locks: Secure and Seamless Entry

Smart locks are a foundational upgrade for any smart home. Say goodbye to physical keys—these devices allow for keyless entry via smartphone app or keypad. This eliminates common hassles like lost keys, unsecure lockboxes, or the need to be physically present to grant access.

Why Smart Locks Are Essential:
Convenience: Create digital keys with set expiration times.
Remote Access: Lock and unlock your doors from anywhere.
Enhanced Security: Receive real-time alerts about door status or attempted intrusions.

Top Pick: Schlage Encode
A Wi-Fi enabled lock that doesn’t require a separate hub, Schlage Encode lets you manage access codes, monitor entry logs, and remotely lock or unlock with an easy-to-use app.

2. Video Doorbells: Eyes on Your Entrance

A smart video doorbell adds both security and convenience. You can see and speak to visitors at your door in real-time, whether you're home or away. These devices serve as a frontline defense, giving you visual confirmation of who is there.

Why Video Doorbells Matter:
Visual Verification: View visitors in HD before opening the door.
Motion Detection: Receive alerts when someone approaches.
Peace of Mind: Keep tabs on deliveries or activity at your doorstep, even while you’re away.

Top Pick: Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
This reliable and easy-to-install model delivers a wide-angle, high-definition view and two-way audio so you can talk to visitors, deter potential threats, or simply greet a friend—all from your phone.

3. Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Safety with Smarts

Traditional detectors are limited—they can only alert those nearby. Smart detectors take it a step further, sending instant alerts to your phone and even notifying emergency services if needed.

Why Invest in Smart Detectors:
Instant Alerts: Get notified of smoke or CO presence even when you're not home.
Emergency Services: Some models can contact first responders automatically.
Maintenance Reminders: Get alerts for low batteries or sensor issues.

Top Pick: Google Nest Protect
Nest Protect offers both smoke and CO detection with voice alerts, app-based notifications, and self-testing features to ensure your system is always ready.

4. Smart Lighting: Intelligent Illumination

Smart lighting enhances your home’s ambiance and efficiency. Schedule lights to mimic occupancy, brighten walkways, or set mood scenes—all while cutting energy costs.

Benefits of Smart Lighting:
Energy Efficiency: Turn off lights automatically when not in use.
Remote Control: Manage lights via your smartphone or voice assistant.
Customization: Change brightness, color, and timing to suit your lifestyle.

Top Pick: Philips Hue Smart Light
With seamless integration into smart ecosystems like Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, Philips Hue offers full-spectrum lighting control and scheduling features.

5. Motion Sensors: Discreet Oversight and Automation

Motion sensors add a layer of intelligence to your home’s monitoring. Far from intrusive, today’s models focus on privacy while helping you manage noise, occupancy, and indoor climate.

Why Motion Sensors Are Valuable:
Noise Monitoring: Detect disturbances or loud activity.
Occupancy Detection: Track movement to prevent misuse or unauthorized access.
Privacy Focused: Devices like Minut are designed to collect only essential data.

Top Pick: Minut
An all-in-one device that monitors sound levels, motion, climate, and smoking. Minut offers robust protection and insight—without compromising anyone’s privacy.

6. Smart Thermostats and A/C Controllers: Ultimate Climate Control

Managing heating and cooling is essential for comfort and energy savings. Smart thermostats or A/C controllers give you precise control, allowing you to optimize energy usage based on occupancy and schedule.

Advantages of Smart Thermostats:
Energy Savings: Prevent unnecessary heating or cooling, through the use of smart energy saving features.

Smart Home Compatibility: Connect your smart thermostat, like Klima, with your other smart home ecosystems like Google Home, Assistant, Alexa and HomeKit (coming in June).

Remote Management: Change settings from anywhere, anytime through the smart thermostat’s app.

But what about mini split or ductless A/C systems? These are common in many modern homes, but typically come with basic remotes lacking smart features.

What Is Klima?

Klima is not just a smart accessory—it’s a game-changer for mini split and ductless A/C systems. Traditional remotes offer limited control and no connectivity. 

Klima replaces that with software full of smart features, smart home ecosystem capability, DIY setup, and a user friendly interface. Klima is compatible with all ages and brands of ductless A/Cs.

With Klima, you're not just adjusting the temperature—you're optimizing energy use, enhancing comfort, and unlocking automation that makes your environment work for you.

Klima - Smart Home Thermostat for Mini-splits, Air Conditioners and Heatpumps

Compatible with all brands of ACs and Mini-Splits Automate Climate Management Control remotely Reduce Energy Consumption Monitor bills in realtime

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Why Klima Is a Must-Have for Smart Homes

1. Total Control Across Locations

Whether managing a single residence or multiple properties, you can control every Klima-enabled unit from the Boldr Energy app—simplifying climate management at scale.

2. Automated Comfort

Klima learns your habits and adjusts the indoor temperature automatically. Your living room is cooled before you get home; the bedroom warms up just in time for bed.

3. Real-Time Savings

Klima helps you cut down on wasteful energy use through the use of energy saving smart features. Monitor consumption in real-time, set limits, and get monthly cost forecasts to stay on budget.

Klima’s Smart Features

1. Open Window Detection

If someone leaves a window open, Klima detects it and powers down the ductless A/C—saving money and preventing energy waste.

2. Remote Access

Whether you’re on vacation or running errands, you can control your mini-split from anywhere you may be in the world, via the Boldr Energy app.

3. Smart Scheduling

Program room-by-room temperature changes where a mini-split and Klima is located that align with your lifestyle or guest routines.

4. Cost Monitoring

Stay informed with real-time data on your energy usage of your mini-split, especially useful for budgeting and cost cutting within your monthly budget.

5. Appliance Health Monitoring

Klima keeps tabs on your mini-split system’s performance and flags maintenance issues early—saving you from costly repairs.

6. Guardian Mode

Set upper and lower temperature limits of your mini-split to maintain consistent comfort and avoid wasteful usage.

Conclusion

Creating a smart home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on the essentials - security, safety, energy efficiency, and intelligent automation with the use of smart thermostat, like Klima - you’re building a foundation for a more efficient, secure, and energy efficient lifestyle.

Smart home technology puts you in control. With the right setup, your home will not only think for itself—it’ll think ahead.