The hi-tech future that was only imaginable in sci-fi movies and fictional novels, is very much knocking at our doors. New technology is being invented every day, and it has slowly started to make its way into our homes, as it should. There are hundreds of smart gadgets that every homeowner might find useful, and if you’re already planning a renovation, why not make the most of it and install a couple of smart home devices that will just add value and save money in the long run?
Smart lighting
Have you ever wished you could have a different ambiance in your home for every occasion? Let’s face it, you don’t want the same kind of light during an at-home work meeting, a family dinner, or when you’re hosting a late-night house party with all your closest friends. Interior designers always recommend having layered lighting you can adjust for every occasion, but installing dozens of different light fixtures can be quite expensive. Smart light bulbs are much more practical, easy to install, and can eventually save you money. You can replace your current old lightbulbs with smart ones, and you can control the brightness, color, and shade of each individual fixture. You can even install a scheduled smart lighting system, which enables you to set desired light features according to your daily schedule.
Smart thermostats
Why would you have to pay extra to keep your house at the right temperature when you’re not around? Smart thermostats allow you to schedule the heating and cooling of your home according to your needs. Why would you have to fiddle with the AC manually every time you leave the house for longer periods? Or even worse, imagine waiting for it to warm up or cool down every time you come back from work, because you can’t adjust the thermostat remotely. A smart thermostat is a great feature to have, whether you are looking for a great ROI or not. Similarly, smart water heaters can be controlled remotely, and you can even get alerts in case of leaks or malfunctions, which is a useful safety precaution.
Smart outlets
Smart outlets can make any regular household appliance a smart one, simply because they fit over existing outlets, and they can be controlled through apps or even smart speakers. You don’t have to get rid of your old lamps, or coffee machine just because you want to upgrade your home. Smart plugs even help you calculate how much each device is adding to your energy bill, so you can identify costly appliances that need to be replaced. Additionally, they come with one or more USB ports that provide safe and reliable power for charging electric devices like smartphones and tablets.
Smart security systems
Installing smart home devices are a great way to bring the future to your home, but definitely the most essential feature is definitely a reliable smart home security system. They make it much easier for homeowners to keep their house safe from any break-ins, without having to install expensive traditional security systems, like alarms or CCTV cameras. They connect directly to your internet router, and can monitor windows, doors, or detect changes in room temperature or light levels. Motion sensors can alert you of any unwanted activity, smart locks can lock and unlock the door from afar, and motion activates security cameras will detect and capture any unwanted guests. Just the fact that you have a visible camera outside your front door will deter any potential burglar from targeting your home.
Smart garage doors
Although smart garage door technology is just beginning to be developed, most homeowners will find them quite useful, since garages are one of the most common entry points to your home. The days of manually opening and closing your garage doors are long gone, but imagine never having to worry if the automatic system failed, because it’s connected to your phone and would notify you if something went wrong. Smart garage doors are an added reinforcement to your security system, because they can be programmed to alert you even when somebody’s tampering with them.
Smart built-in speakers
If you want to issue commands to other smart systems directly by using your voice, then you’d better install a good smart audio surround system. Smart speakers not only let you control the music through your smartphone or home assistant, but they also issue high-quality sound that fills every room. They are very stylish and blend effortlessly into your home décor.
Smart kitchen appliances
From smart coffee machines that can be set to brew a fresh cup every morning at the same time, to smart taps that can turn on and off by voice command, smart kitchen appliances really bring about that futuristic feel to your regular daily routine. Smart refrigerators allow you to keep track of your groceries, and can also recommend recipes based on your inventory. Smart installed ovens can be set to preheat even before you come home, and can change their setting depending on what you’re making to ensure the perfect bake.
From lights, security systems, garage doors, heating, to your curtains, pet feeders and lawnmowers– everything can be upgraded with smart technology nowadays. And why shouldn’t it be? After all, technology is here to serve us and make our lives easier, and it’ll be inevitable in the future. If you are planning on remodeling your home, why not modernize it in the process? It’ll be a great investment that is going to eventually save you up to hundreds of dollars every month, so think about it.
Written by Brigitte Evans