SmartHome Automate
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Practical guides, honest reviews, and step-by-step tutorials for your smart home journey.
Sep 17, 2026
Home Assistant YAML vs UI Automations: Which to Use
Home Assistant lets you build automations in the visual editor or write them as YAML. Both have trade-offs. Here is when to use each approach.
Sep 15, 2026
Automating Your Laundry Room With Smart Plugs
A single smart plug turns your dumb washer and dryer into smart appliances that notify you when cycles finish. Here is the simple setup.
Sep 13, 2026
Smart Home Presence Detection: Beyond Motion Sensors
PIR motion sensors miss you when you sit still. Here are the better alternatives for room-level presence detection in your smart home.
Sep 1, 2026
Smart Home for Kids' Rooms: Safety and Fun Automations
Smart home tech in kids' rooms can make bedtime easier, mornings smoother, and keep your kids safer. Here are the automations that work for families with young children.
Aug 22, 2026
Smart Home Vacation Mode: How to Protect Your House While You're Away
Going on vacation? Your smart home can simulate occupancy, monitor for problems, and alert you if anything goes wrong. Here's how to set it all up.
Aug 16, 2026
How to Automate Your Home Theater Setup
One button press: TV on, receiver set, lights dimmed, blinds closed. Here's how to build a fully automated home theater experience with smart home devices.
Aug 16, 2026
6 Smart Home Automations That Keep Your House Cool Without Breaking the Bank
Your AC doesn't have to run full blast all day. These 6 automations use smart devices you already own to cut cooling costs and stay comfortable.
Aug 13, 2026
How to Build a Smart Home Bedtime Routine That Helps You Sleep
Dim the lights, lock the doors, drop the thermostat, and queue up white noise — all on autopilot. Here's exactly how to set up a bedtime automation.
Aug 10, 2026
Smart Energy Monitors Compared: Sense vs Emporia vs IoTaWatt
Want to see exactly where your electricity goes? These three energy monitors show real-time power usage for every circuit. Here's how they compare.
Aug 7, 2026
6 Ways Smart Irrigation Saves Water and Money
Smart sprinkler controllers and soil sensors can cut your water bill by 30-50%. Here are 6 practical ways to automate your yard watering.