If you took my my advice from the last post then you are on your way to building a smart home. Let me walk you through some thoughts on how to add some smarts to your home with your new Kasa TP-Link smart plugs.
Remember, you can always turn on/ off a lamp that you plugged in to the Kasa smart plug by switching the button on it or you can use your smartphone if it's handy. Having a smart plug will let you do more than just having an off/ switch.
Download the Kasa Smart app (Apple or Android) and follow the instructions on how to setup and configure the smart plug. Create an account if you don't already have one with Kasa. All smart devices will require you to have an account with the manufacturer because in order for you to set schedules up, you will need an account to keep the data.
The Kasa Smart app will allow you to setup schedules on when your lights turn on/ off. Schedules are great because lights will appear to turn on when you come home and off when you turn in for the night.
If you find you are coming home at different times then a fixed schedule will not work for you. Go back and take my 8-step lesson on IFTTT then create your own routine to turn on the light at sunset or when you're a few blocks away from home.
With IFTTT and external services such as Weather Underground and Location, you can create triggers based on environmental factors and your whereabouts. To maximize flexibility, I would create two IFTTT routines, one using Weather Undeground and creating a trigger on when sunset occurs in my area. This trigger will turn on a Kasa light in the living room where the room is dark at sunset. The second IFTTT routine will use the Location service to trigger when you are a few blocks away from home. This trigger will work as long as you are carrying your smartphone. With the Location service, you can create a trigger so that when you enter an area, the IFTTT routine would cause the Kasa switch to turn on.
I hope you are having fun with the Kasa TP-Link smart plugs. With the Kasa Smart app, you can set schedules and turn on/ off lights automatically, With IFTTT, you can extend the control and use services such as Weather Underground and Location to provide you more smart home conveniences. If you haven't taken advantage of the reduced prices, click here and add it to your cart.
Remember, you can always turn on/ off a lamp that you plugged in to the Kasa smart plug by switching the button on it or you can use your smartphone if it's handy. Having a smart plug will let you do more than just having an off/ switch.
Download the Kasa Smart app (Apple or Android) and follow the instructions on how to setup and configure the smart plug. Create an account if you don't already have one with Kasa. All smart devices will require you to have an account with the manufacturer because in order for you to set schedules up, you will need an account to keep the data.
The Kasa Smart app will allow you to setup schedules on when your lights turn on/ off. Schedules are great because lights will appear to turn on when you come home and off when you turn in for the night.
If you find you are coming home at different times then a fixed schedule will not work for you. Go back and take my 8-step lesson on IFTTT then create your own routine to turn on the light at sunset or when you're a few blocks away from home.
With IFTTT and external services such as Weather Underground and Location, you can create triggers based on environmental factors and your whereabouts. To maximize flexibility, I would create two IFTTT routines, one using Weather Undeground and creating a trigger on when sunset occurs in my area. This trigger will turn on a Kasa light in the living room where the room is dark at sunset. The second IFTTT routine will use the Location service to trigger when you are a few blocks away from home. This trigger will work as long as you are carrying your smartphone. With the Location service, you can create a trigger so that when you enter an area, the IFTTT routine would cause the Kasa switch to turn on.
I hope you are having fun with the Kasa TP-Link smart plugs. With the Kasa Smart app, you can set schedules and turn on/ off lights automatically, With IFTTT, you can extend the control and use services such as Weather Underground and Location to provide you more smart home conveniences. If you haven't taken advantage of the reduced prices, click here and add it to your cart.
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