A breakdown of essential systems and features that create a truly smart home

At OnHive, our mission is simple: We Connect you ➕ Technology.

When most people think of a smart home, they picture voice-controlled lights, music that follows them from room to room, or doors that unlock automatically when they arrive. But the reality is that behind every seamless experience lies a complex system designed, installed, and fine-tuned to work together.

At OnHive, we often hear the question:

“What’s actually included in a smart home package?”

It’s a great question, because while “smart home” can mean many things, the key to a successful system isn’t just the devices. It’s the planning, integration, and long-term support that make the difference.

Let’s break it down.

1. The Design & Planning Phase

Every great smart home starts with a conversation.

Before a single wire is run or a device is installed, we take time to understand your lifestyle. Do you want your lighting to adjust automatically with the time of day? Do you want to be able to lock up your business or cottage remotely? Are you interested in energy savings, security, or pure convenience?

During this phase, we map out your system, not just which devices you’ll need, but how they’ll work together. Considerations include:

Wi-Fi and network layout (the backbone of every smart home)
Power requirements
Future expansion possibilities
Integration with existing platforms (Google, Alexa, Control4, etc.)

A smart home should evolve with you, so we design systems that are scalable, stable, and tailored to your needs.

2. The Core Components

Every package includes the “brains” of the operation: the hub or controller that connects all your devices. This might include:

Smart Lighting Controls -Dimmers, switches, and scenes that set the right mood instantly.
Climate Control - Smart thermostats and sensors that adjust heating or cooling automatically.
Security & Access - Smart locks, cameras, and door sensors for peace of mind.
Audio & Entertainment - In-ceiling speakers, distributed audio, and unified control for music or media.
Shades & Comfort - Motorized blinds that sync with your lighting and temperature preferences.

Popular professional systems we work with include:

Control4 for full-home integration and intuitive touchscreens
Lutron HomeWorks is industry leader in lighting and shade control
Snap One / OvrC ecosystem for powerful remote management and reliability

These systems unify your devices into a single platform, letting you control lighting, climate, security, and audio from one interface. Each component is chosen for reliability, compatibility, and quality, so everything communicates seamlessly, no lag, no dropped connections, no frustration.

📊 According to Statista, over 70% of smart home owners use more than five connected devices, but only 27% report they work together seamlessly.

3. Smart Lighting & Shading

Lighting is one of the most impactful upgrades in a smart home. A professional system goes beyond smart bulbs:

Smart switches and dimmers (e.g., Lutron Caséta, Lutron HomeWorks)
Automated scenes (“Good Morning,” “Movie Night”)
Motorized shades that operate on schedule or voice command

📊Smart lighting can reduce energy usage by up to 35% annually.

4. Security & Surveillance

A smart home is also a secure home. Most packages include:

Smart locks (Yale, August, Control4-certified)
Video doorbells
Wired or Wi-Fi cameras (Alarm.com, Ring, Google, Hikvision or Ubiquiti)
Motion and door/window sensors

All devices integrate into your system, so you can monitor and control everything from one app.

📊*SafeWise reports homes with security systems are 60% less likely to experience a break-in, and video surveillance can dramatically reduce incident response times.*

5. Climate & Comfort

Smart thermostats and sensors optimize comfort and efficiency:

Smart thermostats (such as Google Nest, Ecobee, Control4-integrated systems)
HVAC zoning and smart fans
Humidity and temperature sensors

📊 Energy Star estimates smart thermostats can save 8–10% annually on heating and cooling costs.

6. Whole-Home Audio & Video

A full smart home package often includes multi-room audio and media:

Episode - in-ceiling speakers
Araknis / Binary - reliable distribution gear
Control4 multi-room AV for synchronized playback

You can stream music in the kitchen, a podcast in the office, or surround sound in the living room, all without visible wires or clutter.

📊Well-designed audio enhances daily life and can increase property value.

7. Strong Network Infrastructure

Behind every reliable smart home is a robust network. Professional systems use enterprise-grade gear like Ubiquiti UniFi or Araknis to deliver:

Strong, even coverage across the home
Secure guest and device networks
Bandwidth capable of handling dozens of devices

📊 The average North American household now runs over 20 connected devices, making network design essential.

8. Automation Scenes & Custom Programming

Automation brings the home to life:

“Goodnight” Scene - locks doors, dims lights, lowers shades, adjusts thermostat
“Welcome Home” Scene - lights entry, disarms alarm, plays music
“Vacation Mode” - simulates occupancy with scheduled lighting and alerts

📊Personalized programming ensures your home feels intuitive, not complicated.

9. Professional Installation

Buying smart devices online is easy, making them work together isn’t. Our professional installers handle every part of the process, from wiring and mounting to configuring and programming apps and automation scenes. This step ensures that everything functions perfectly right from day one.

We also make sure your smart home looks as good as it performs. That means tidy cabling, clean wall finishes, and thoughtful device placement that complements your design.

10. Integration & Programming

This is where the magic happens.

Installation gets the devices in place, but integration brings them to life. Our team programs your system so everything communicates smoothly: lights fade when the movie starts, the thermostat lowers when you lock up, and your “Goodnight” scene shuts everything down with a single tap. We test, calibrate, and adjust every automation until it feels effortless.

It’s not just about convenience, it’s about creating experiences that make your space more comfortable, secure, and enjoyable every day.

11. Training & Support

We don’t just hand over the keys and disappear.

Every OnHive project includes a walkthrough and personalized training so you know exactly how to control your new system. Whether it’s showing you how to create custom scenes, update schedules, or adjust settings from your phone, we make sure you’re confident and in control.

And if you ever need help down the road? Our support team is just a call or message away. We assist with firmware updates, system expansions, troubleshooting, and warranty claims, all part of our commitment to keeping your smart home running smoothly.

**12. What’s Not Typically Included**

Transparency matters. Some elements aren’t automatically part of every package, though we can help coordinate them if needed. These may include:

Structural or electrical modifications
Devices purchased elsewhere (we can install them, but can’t guarantee warranty or performance)
Internet service or data plans
Third-party streaming or subscription services

By being upfront about what’s included, and what isn’t, we help you plan your project confidently and avoid surprises.

Why Choose OnHive

A smart home is more than gadgets, it’s an investment in comfort, security, and simplicity. At OnHive, we bring all the pieces together so your home works the way you do.

When you choose us, you’re not just buying products; you’re partnering with a team that handles every step, from design and installation to training and long-term support.

Whether it’s one room, a full home, or a commercial space, we make technology feel effortless.

Ready to get started?

Talk to our expert team today about building your custom smart home package!

📍Visit onhive.ca for expert advice, product recommendations, or help with your installation

💬Have questions? Our tech specialists are here to help

👉Contact us today — and let’s connect you ➕ technology