Smart home devices promise convenience, but many of the problems we are called out to fix start with the wiring behind them, not the app. These are the five mistakes we see most often in Denver homes.
1. Installing smart switches without a neutral wire
Most smart switches need a neutral conductor to stay powered. Older homes often have switch loops with no neutral in the box, which leads to flickering, buzzing or switches that never connect.
2. Overloading a single circuit
Hubs, cameras, speakers and chargers add up. When several of them end up on one bedroom or office circuit, nuisance trips follow.
3. Pairing dimmers with the wrong LED bulbs
A smart dimmer paired with an incompatible LED can hum, flicker or fail early. Check that the dimmer is rated for LED loads and that the bulbs are dimmable.
4. Hiding transformers and hubs in closed spaces
Low-voltage transformers and hubs run warm. Tucked into a sealed cabinet or an attic corner, they overheat and shorten their own life.
5. Skipping surge protection
Smart devices are full of sensitive electronics. A whole-home surge protector at the panel protects every one of them at once.
Planning a smart home upgrade? Northgate Electric can check your switch boxes, circuits and panel first, so the devices work the way they should. Call (720) 555-0142.
