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      How to Add Amazon Alexa

      Introduction:

      This article will cover the step-by-step setup process for adding Amazon Alexa to your Clare smart home using iOS or Android mobile devices. Please select your device type below to jump to the relevant topic. Amazon Alexa can be used for controlling your smart home devices and scenes using your voice.

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      Adding Amazon Alexa using Apple iOS

      Adding Amazon Alexa using Android

       

       

      About Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant Integration

      Alexa is Amazon’s smart assistant product line. The ClareHome Skill for Alexa enables you to interact with user voice commands and control your smart home. The instructions in this document help connect Alexa to your ClareHome project.

      To configure your ClareHome Skill with Alexa you must have a pre-existing ClareHome system with devices and services, an Amazon account, the Amazon Alexa app, and an Alexa device.

      Notes:

      • You need your Amazon account and Clare project’s sign-in credentials.
      • This integration with Alexa allows you to control Clare Controls supported devices and scenes that appear in the Clare app. (These items must have a UI component in the Clare app.)
      • Images are subject to change based on amazon updates.

      Installing the Alexa app

      Search for and install the Amazon Alexa app.

      To install the app:

      1. Access the App store.
        Select iTunes for iOS, and Google Play for Android.
      2. Search for Amazon Alexa, and then download the app.
      3. Return to your device’s home screen, and then open the Alexa app.

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      Examples of Alexa smart home commands

      When speaking to Alexa, use certain words to guarantee the desired results. It is best to keep the commands short and succinct.

      The following example show the same comment, one longer and one shorter. Try both with your devices and find what works best for you.

      Long command: “Alexa, increase the Office light by 5 percent.”

      Short command: “Alexa, increase Office by 5 percent.”

      Notes

      • When addressing Alexa, if you have more than one device with the same name-you must specify which device gets the command. For example, you have an office switch, office dimmer, and office thermostat. You say, “Alexa, turn on office.” Alexa does not know which device you are referring to. You must specify, “Alexa, turn on the office switch.”
      • Device/Scene names do not need to be exact as long as the name is unique. If you have an office switch and an office dimmer, you can say, “Alexa, turn on switch.” Because there is only one device with switch in the name, it knows which device to use.
      • The following commands are examples, more phrases can be used. Use Alexa and find out which phrases work for you.

      Device discovery

      • “Alexa, discover my smart home devices.”
      • “Alexa, discover my devices.”
      • “Alexa, discover devices.”

      On/Off

      • "Alexa, turn on my office switch "
      • "Alexa, turn off my office switch. "

      Dimmer

      • “Alexa, turn on the den dimmer.”
      • “Alexa, increase/decrease den dimmer by 20”
      • “Alexa, brighten/dim den dimmer by 20”
      • "Alexa, set my den dimmer to 50"
      • "Alexa, set my bedroom to 10"

      Door locks

      • “Alexa, is my casa door locked/unlocked?”
      • “Alexa, lock/unlock the casa door.”

      Wi-Fi thermostats

      • "Alexa, set my Lyric to 72"
      • “Alexa, what is Lyric set to?”
      • "Alexa, increase the temperature by 5"
      • “Alexa, decrease the temperature by 3”
      • “Alexa, cool down/heat up the Lyric.”
      • “Alexa, what is the temperature inside?”
      • “Alexa, what is the thermostat temperature?”

      Notes

      • When not specifying the degree change for the thermostat, Alexa automatically selects 2° F, or 1° C of the current setpoint. This does not take the current temperature into effect, it adjusts the setpoints.
      • Alexa does not support humidistat features.
      • Alexa does not allow a user to change the thermostat mode.

      Garage door

      • "Alexa, lock my garage door."
      • "Alexa, unlock my garage door."

      Note: Alexa sees the garage door as a lock. It uses the commands lock (closes the garage door) and unlock (opens the garage door).

      Inquiries

      • "Alexa, is my garage door locked?"
      • Alexa, is my garage door unlocked?"

      Scenes

      • "Alexa, turn on my goodnight scene."

      Security

      • "Alexa, arm my home (name of security panel) in away mode.”
      • “Alexa, arm my home.” (Defaults to arm stay.)
      • “Alexa, disarm my home.”
      • “Alexa, is my home armed/disarmed?”

      Supported devices

      The Alexa ClareHome integration currently supports all door locks, lighting devices (except for keypads), Wi-Fi thermostats, scenes, and the ClareOne Wireless Security and Smart Home Panel. These items are limited to devices and scenes that have a UI component in the ClareHome app (can be seen on the ClareHome app and added to the base page as an icon) and are listed as Clare Controls supported devices.

       

      Last Updated: 03/23/2022