A home automation company can help bring your lights, thermostat, security, shades, and more under one system that you can easily control and set to your schedule. In brutal Phoenix summers, this can help keep your home noticeably more comfortable.

At Performance Audio Video, we have spent more than 23 years helping homeowners across Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale design and install smart home systems that work the way they should. Here, we cover what automation includes, what it costs, and how to choose an installer you can trust.

Key takeaways

Smart home automation connects lighting, climate, security, and audio/video so you can manage everything in one app.
Phoenix and Scottsdale homeowners benefit from automation to help keep homes cooler during the summer.
Working with an experienced professional helps make everything easy and supported in the future.

Key parts of smart home automation for Phoenix homeowners

Smart home automation connects all of your home’s systems, including:

Lighting
Climate
Security
Shades
Audio/video

The goal is for them all to work together and respond to schedules or a single app. And, you can set up the system to react automatically to the time of day or sensors throughout the home.

The market for these systems is growing fast. According to Grand View Research, the U.S. smart home market size was 23.72 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4% from now through 2030. This growth shows that many homeowners are tired of all the gadgets and want an easier way to manage their home.

Home automation systems

An automation system brings all your home devices into one system that you can control from a wall panel, a phone app, or automatic triggers based on time and motion.

Below are the main categories Phoenix homeowners automate.

Lighting and shades

Smart lighting control lets you create scenes and set schedules. For example:

If you’re watching a movie, you can automatically have the system dim certain lights while turning others off.
Or, you can set porch lights to turn on automatically at sunset.

Installing motorized shades can help keep rooms cooler on a schedule. Especially if your Scottsdale or Paradise Valley home has large glass areas, you can set timers to lower west-facing shades in the afternoon.

Climate and comfort

Heating and cooling is where Phoenix homeowners need automation the most. A smart thermostat:

Learns your schedule and adjusts when you leave.
Lets you check or change the temperature from your phone.
Can coordinate with shades to block heat or with occupancy sensors to raise the temperature in unused rooms.

Security, cameras, and monitoring

Security is one of the top reasons homeowners decide to add home automation. With professional security cameras, you can view live or recorded video from your phone whether you are at work or on vacation. Plus, motion alerts let you know when someone approaches your door.

Beyond cameras, home alarm monitoring ties intrusion sensors and leak detectors to a monitoring service that can dispatch emergency help. If a leak sensor trips, a smart water valve can automatically shut off the main line, protecting your home even when you are away.

Audio, video, and networking

Whole-home audio and video let you play music in any room or watch the same content on multiple screens. You can start your favorite playlist with a voice command or have the system pause when someone rings the doorbell.

A home network provides the foundation for smart devices. From there, smart home control from your phone lets you control your whole home from anywhere.

Why add automation to your Phoenix home?

Arizona’s climate makes automation even more valuable here than in milder states and regions. Summers push AC costs higher than almost anywhere else in the country.

Many Scottsdale and Paradise Valley-area homeowners also travel during summer or spend part of the year elsewhere. Being able to monitor cameras and receive alerts from anywhere adds peace of mind when you are not on-site.

DIY vs. professional installation

Off-the-shelf smart devices can handle simple tasks. A smart plug for a lamp, a standalone video doorbell, or a Wi-Fi thermostat are all fine for basic use. If you want to control one or two things from an app and don’t mind troubleshooting occasional connectivity issues yourself, DIY is an option.

The challenge is when you need systems to work together. Consumer-grade hubs don’t always connect well, and running cables through walls requires planning and skill. Plus, if anything breaks, you’re on your own.

A professional integrator handles the design, wiring, and support. Many of our clients have been with us for a decade or more because of our ongoing support and customer service.

Consideration	DIY	Professional installation
Setup complexity	Simple devices only	Whole-home systems, hidden wiring
Integration	Limited (devices may not talk to each other)	Full integration across lighting, shades, climate, security, AV
Ongoing support	Self-troubleshooting	Technician support and maintenance
Long-term reliability	Varies with product quality and network	Designed and tested for reliability
Best for	Renters, small projects, tech-comfortable homeowners	New construction, remodels, large homes, long-term ownership

For whole-home automation services, professional installation makes the difference between a collection of gadgets and a home that works the way you want it to.

How to choose a Phoenix smart home installer

Here is what to look for when choosing a smart home services company:

Experience: Ask how long the company has been in business and what kinds of projects they have completed.
Authorized dealer status: Authorized dealers have direct relationships with manufacturers, receive training, and have better warranty support.
Breadth of services: It’s easier and simpler to work with one company that can handle all areas of your project like audio/video, automation, lighting, security, and networking.
Past work: Ask to see examples of previous projects and client testimonials.
Ongoing support: Find out about support options. Home automation systems need updates and occasional repairs.

The Performance Audio Video team has helped homeowners in Phoenix and Scottsdale for more than 23 years. We are authorized dealers for leading brands like Control4 and can help you with a complete system and provide ongoing support after installation.

Final thoughts on smart home automation

The best projects start with a conversation about your home and your vision. From there, we design a system that fits your home and your budget, install it, and support it for years to come.

Get started on your project!

Smart home automation: FAQs

What are the types of home automation systems?

Common smart automation systems include:

Lighting: Scenes and schedules for indoor and outdoor lights.
Climate: Smart thermostats that adjust based on schedule or occupancy.
Security: Cameras, alarm monitoring, and leak detection.
Shades: Motorized shades on timers or combined with climate control.
Audio/video: Whole-home music and multi-room video.

What are the benefits of home automation?

Home automation adds convenience, comfort, and peace of mind by letting you control and coordinate your home’s systems instead of managing them separately. You’ll get benefits like:

Convenience: Control lighting, climate, security, and more from one app or panel.
Comfort: Systems like shades and thermostats work together to keep your home comfortable year-round.
Security: Cameras and alarm monitoring let you check in on your home from anywhere.
Energy savings: Automated schedules help you avoid running lights or AC when they’re not needed.

What are the downsides of smart homes?

Some of the cons of smart homes include:

Upfront cost: Whole-home systems cost more than standalone smart devices.
Internet dependence: Systems usually need a stable connection to work properly.
Learning curve: DIY systems can take time to learn. A professional install includes training so you can easily use it from day one.
Compatibility: Not all devices and brands work well together without planning and technical skills, which is why working with a professional company can make all the difference.

What is the best smart home automation system?

The best system depends on your home and priorities.

Whole-home platforms: RTI and Clare Controls handle lighting, climate, security, and shades in one system.
Security-focused: Ring and Honeywell are strong options.
Climate-focused: Google Nest works well with a broader system for scheduling and comfort.
Professional support: The right system is one an experienced installer can support long-term, not just the initial setup.

Get started on your project!

Contact Performance Audio Video for your residential and commercial projects. We specialize in home theater, audio video, surveillance, security, electrical and more.

We serve all over Arizona, including services in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottdale, Peoria, Tempe, Surprise, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Flagstaff and more.