WeMo Makes Home Automation Simple!

WeMo, by Belkin, makes home automation a breeze!  They offer a suite of products for home automation and the process could not be more simple.

I recently had the opportunity to try out two of their products, the LED Lighting Starter Set and the Insight Switch.  Both were impressive pieces of technology that can help you cut down on electrical costs and monitor usage from anywhere with an internet connection!

WeMo Insight Switch

The first thing I noticed when I plugged in the WeMo Insight switch was that I did not have to configure it to my computer in order to get it online.  The set up was so easy.  Honestly, I have tried various products and the set up can sometimes make you want to take the product back!  Wemo definitely does not fall into that category.

I plugged the switch into my outlet and downloaded the app.  The switch itself gives off a WiFi signal.  You connect your WiFi up to the WeMo, input your own WiFi password, and it automatically does the rest; including switching your smartphone back to your home WiFi.  The app even allows you to store your home WiFi information so that setting up a second system is even easier!

The first thing that caught my eye on the Insight Switch, is that it tracks how much energy your appliance uses and calculates an estimated monthly usage.  This is such an awesome tool!  It states that my Keurig is likely only making up about $1 of my monthly electric bill.

Whew! I would hate to give up my coffee!

Here is where the cool part comes in – you can not only shut off your device from your phone, but you can also set a timer or rules for when it should be shut off.  You can choose to shut it off after 5 minutes of inactivity or 1 hour!  Awesome!

I am pretty good about shutting off the lights of our house when they are not in use, but I am horrible about checking my appliances.  This is a great way to save energy costs on some of your high wattage appliances.

WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set

The second WeMo device that I hooked up was a lighting kit.  The starter kit came with the base (the part that gets plugged into the outlet) and 2 light bulbs.

Again, the set up was simple, and since my WiFi settings were already stored from the Insight Switch, all I had to do was search for the new device.

Here is what is great about the automated lighting.  The app allows you to create rules as to when the light bulb gets shut off.  It can be a certain time of the night, or you can put it on a timer.  So when I tell the kids,  “You have 30 minutes till you need to shut down and go to sleep” I can set the timer on the app to shut off the lights in 30 minutes.

The other thoughtful built-in tool is the ability to dim the lights.  You can choose full brightness or scale it back to any given percentage.  This is great depending on the time of day or what you are doing.

WeMo Home Automation

Pros:

• Easy to set-up
• Able to add several devices
• Can track and control usage from anywhere with an internet connection
• Can purchase addition home automation units including a crockpot, coffee maker, video camera, and home security

Cons:

• Can get expensive adding additional units

The WeMo Insight Switch can be purchased on Amazon for $49.99.  The WeMo Lighting Starter Set can be found on Amazon for $45.13.  Both include free shipping.

A Mom’s Perspective

The WeMo suite of home automation is impressive.  The individual units are affordable and have great uses for around the home, especially when you have a large family who often forget to shut off lights and appliances.

Earlier in the year, we had the opportunity to review the WeMo Crockpot which allows you to control the setting from High, Low, Warm, and Off from the WeMo app on your phone.  It comes in handy when your plans change and you need to speed up your cooking from low to high while on the road.

WeMo is also a fantastic tool for moms who have children old enough to stay home alone and don’t care about electric bills!  Now you have more control over which lights are left on.

*  I was given the WeMo Lighting Starter Set and Insight Switch as a part of this review.  All opinions are my own.