For many people, it can be difficult to find efficient outdoor audio solutions that let them enjoy their favorite artists or playlists on the porch, patio or pool. The most popular approach is opting for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth speakers that are easy to move around and let you stream music directly from your phone. While these makeshift solutions can work in the short term, using outdoor speakers linked to a whole home audio system will yield better results in the long run for four main reasons. Keep reading to learn what they are. 

SEE MORE: Best Speaker Layouts for Outdoor Audio

Damage to Your Equipment

Most wireless speakers are not meant for outdoor use and can be prone to damage caused by water, humidity, or dust.  If you're careful not to take the speakers out in bad weather and bring them back in as soon as you're done, you might be able to keep the speakers safe from serious harm. But if you think outdoor audio is something you'll often be using, the small damage can pile up over time, so even if you're extremely careful, your wireless speakers are likely going to suffer from too much outdoor use. 

Lower-Quality Sound

While lighting control can offer a lot of futuristic technology –from voice control to access from a mobile app—many of our clients want to stick with the familiarity of their light switches. They’ve grown accustomed to managing their lights this way and change seems more trouble than anything. Does that mean home lighting control is not the right choice for their Memorial, TX property? No, it just means that their system will focus initially on upgrading the light switches in their home.

SEE MORE: 4 Unique Ways to Control the Lights in Your Home

Gain Efficiency With Dimmers and Scenes
A smart lighting control system can increase wall switch efficiency in two simple ways: by incorporating dimmers and scenes. Customarily wall switches are pretty straight forward. They connect to one particular fixture and turn it on and off. With a smart upgrade, you can access multiple fixtures at once and go beyond the limited on/off controls:

• Dimmers: Many clients are surprised to find that most rooms could benefit from not having lights on at a 100 percent intensity. Not only can this help reduce energy usage, but it leads to a more elaborate lighting design. Depending on whether you have a romantic date, are hosting a party, or watching a movie you can find the light level that makes the most sense.
• Scenes: Scenes within your home lighting control system let you manage multiple fixtures at once. You can access these scenes straight from your wall switches. This not only lets you make adjustments quickly, but it also reduces the amount of switches you need so you can eliminate some of the wall clutter. For example, a dinner scene dims the lights in the living room while raising the ones right above the dining table.

See More: 4 Great Lighting Control Scenes for Your Home

Incorporate Other Technology Options
If you have a smart home automation system, you can also manage other technology from your light switches. An easy way to do this is to incorporate volume control in rooms where you regularly play music like a media room or bedroom. Raise or lower the volume of your background music from a switch on the wall. The scenes on your wall switches can also include other technology. An ‘away’ scene on a switch by your front door turns off all lights and TVS, locks the doors and arms the security system

Working with a professional for your landscape lighting installation can result in a system that is not only easy to use, but built to last. Clients that opt for a DIY approach usually face the same design and installation problems that hurt the efficiency of the system. Learning what these mistakes are and the solution for each will help you be knowledgeable when talking to a contractor about your new home or latest upgrade. With the right landscape lighting solution in place, you can ensure you have a design that enhances your outdoor spaces and keeps your Austin, TX home safe. 

SEE MORE: 5 Steps to a Successful Landscape Lighting System

Poor Wire Connections

We begin with one of the biggest problems found in landscape lighting systems: poor wire connections. We partner with Coastal Source for all our projects for this reason. Coastal Source connectors are specifically designed for outdoor use, eliminating the need to cut and splice wire to make it waterproof. The other great thing is that the connectors are what they call "Plug-n-Play”; they link together with a simple twist to create a tight connection between the wires and keep corrosive elements out. 

No Control Solution

A luxury home is not complete without a custom smart technology solution. Now you can have control of your thermostat, entertainment, lighting and more from an elegant touchpad or your smartphone. Deciding which automation company to use is becoming as commonplace as choosing which fabric to use for your drapes. As your local Crestron dealer, we can offer you customized solutions designed to make your Houston, TX home more efficient and beautiful. Keep reading to find out why Crestron is the system of choice for luxury homes nationwide. 

SEE MORE: Will Crestron Improve Your Property Value?

History of Excellence

One thing that makes luxury brands stand out, whether it’s a watch manufacturer or clothing designer, is their reputation. Creating a history of excellence takes time; it takes years of providing high-quality products and service to clients. No company in the home automation industry has a better reputation than Crestron which was founded over 30 years ago with the goal of creating remote control devices for projectors and drapes. Since then, it has expanded to offer top-of-the-line residential and commercial integrated technology solutions. There's a reason it's the technology of choice for the U.S. government—including the White House and military installations.

Customization Options