Is Your Home Network Strong Enough?

Do you remember the days when your home network connected a few laptops, desktops, and maybe a gaming console? Of course, that was before the Internet of Things, and our homes throughout southern Maine became connected devices. In a smart home, the home network is the brain behind the system. It allows the devices to connect to the central controller and each other.

Do you want your motorized shades to lower when the temperature reaches a certain level? Do you want your doors to lock, lights to turn off, and the security to arm when you push the “Good Night” button on your keypad? All of that and more require solid networking solutions. 

Let's explore the signs that suggest your home network is no longer up to the tasks your smart home demands and what homes in Kennebunk, ME, are doing about it.

SEE ALSO: 5 Convenient Ways to Control Your Home Automation System

The Signs Your Network Can’t Keep Up

As you continue to add smart devices to your home, more and more bandwidth is used up. If your router or modem is not up to the task, lagging, longer load times, and dropped connections can occur.

There are several signs to look for that demonstrate a home network is in need of an upgrade. 

1. Slow Speeds: Do you notice that it’s taking longer for web pages to download? Maybe you're getting used to the spinning wheel of doom that interrupts your favorite Netflix series on a nightly basis, causing you to restart your router and modem or pause the show to give it time to buffer.

2. Limited Bandwidth: If you’ve added streaming services, online gaming, and other bandwidth hogs to the mix, your system can get bogged down. Think of your bandwidth like a freeway. The more lanes, the faster the data can travel. 

If you must ask Tommy to stop playing Fortnite so that you can make sure your connection stays strong during your conference call, then it’s time to take a good look at your network highway so that all cars can flow smoothly and not experience a traffic jam. 

3. Dropped Connections: If you hesitate to walk out into the yard or head to the corner room of your home when you’re on your tablet, it could be your internet signal is not blanketing your home and yard. 

4. Smart Devices Not Responding: Are your smart devices slow to respond or ignoring you completely? For example, if you ask the lights to turn on or the doors to lock and nothing happens, or they are sluggish, a more robust home network is in order. 

Fortunately, ensuring you have the bandwidth you need to operate all of your connected devices at lightning-quick speed is possible. Structured wiring, wireless access points, and enterprise-grade equipment designed for high-traffic smart homes can deliver blazingly fast internet that you can count on throughout your home and into expansive yards. 

Learn more about creating a robust network by contacting SmartHome Solutions, Inc. today. Or schedule a complimentary consultation by calling us at (207) 985-9770. We look forward to hearing from you.