Smart homes used to be something we would see on shows about the future, but technology worked fast and introduced a wave of new gadgets to ensure your home is working for you. Smart homes have also become very popular with those who are looking for new homes as the energy bills are often much lower. If you have thought about making some upgrades to your current home, have a look at this excellent article for some easy and inexpensive ways to add some tech to your house.
What is a Smart Home?
When you think of a "home of the future," your brain might go automatically to George Jetson and his robot maid Rosey, but we're not quite at that level yet (but a Roomba vacuum is pretty close!). A smart home is upgraded with features that allow for automation along with easy controls, so they have become popular with many different groups of people.
The most common systems are run using a wi-fi connection, and the controls are typically adjusted using voice commands or a mobile device. The systems are generally easy to set up, and they can make your life much easier in many ways. Many of them are also used by those looking to save money on their energy bills, as the wi-fi connection makes it easy to shut things off when they are not in use. These are just a few reasons why smart home upgrades have become more prevalent in the last few years, so let's talk about a few of the ways you can start adding them to your home.
Outside: Smart Lights or Smart Irrigation Systems
Adding automation to your outdoor systems is a fantastic idea for anyone who wants to bring in some tech upgrades that will make their yard look extraordinary. Lighting has come a long way, and many landscaping companies have started to offer lighting systems that can be easily adjusted using your smartphone or tablet. These systems are often LED (which uses far less energy than typical incandescent bulbs), and people love how easily they can adjust them for different holidays or occasions.
If you want to keep your yard healthy and well-watered, then you should consider investing in a smart irrigation system that is wi-fi enabled. These systems can be adjusted remotely so you can turn it off and on if you are on vacation, but others come with more advanced features like weather integration. This feature recognizes the local weather forecast data and adjusts the system to make sure it isn't on during a heavy rain storm. This is great for anyone who wants to save a bit of money on their water bills and have more control over their yard.
Interior: Light Bulbs
Lighting is one of the most common places people have been integrating smart devices. Smart bulbs are easy to install, and they can be found at most hardware stores, so you can easily add them to your home. These bulbs screw in like regular bulbs, but once they are connected, you can easily change things like color and brightness from your mobile device.
It's a good idea to get the same brand for your whole home so you can control the bulbs in one app instead of using multiple systems. Many of the more prominent brands carry numerous styles of bulbs so you can replace every light in your home. These bulbs use far less energy than regular bulbs, and the price can be a little higher, but when it comes down to saving money over time, these are a much better option than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Interior: Thermostat
Another very common upgrade that people have started to choose is smart thermostats which are ideal for anyone that wants to keep track of how often the system is being used. These have become popular with HVAC companies who want to offer their customers an easy-to-use option that can be easily installed and connected to their smartphones. Many older thermostats can be difficult to understand, which is why most companies will likely recommend a wi-fi enabled one instead.
People love this upgrade because it's a simple switch that makes the entire home feel much better. Contacting a local HVAC expert is the best way to get one of these installed in your home, and they will also be able to help you figure out the setting you want to be programmed. These are fantastic options for anyone that wants to be able to warm up their home before they arrive or for anyone that wants to maintain a good temperature when they are on vacation.
Interior: Smart Plug or Outlet
We mentioned how lighting is a common thing to automate, but many people have other electrical appliances that they would like to be able to control. Smart plugs are easy to install (simply plug them in and hook them up to the app that accompanies it), and they allow you to automate some electrical items (like a television, lamp, or fan) that don't have "smart" technology. These can be found at many different electronic, hardware, and home goods stores, and they are relatively inexpensive.
If you enjoy these plugs, consider changing some of your most commonly used outlets over to smart outlets. This replaces the old outlet with one that can be controlled like a smart plug, and they are a great way to make sure you are keeping your energy costs low. If you have a terrible habit of leaving appliances on, then this is a great option, as you can control the power from anywhere you have your phone.
These are just a few of the most popular upgrades you can use around your home to make it more advanced and up-to-date with technology. These homes are highly sought out by new buyers, and they are starting to become more common in many larger cities where technology has become popular. Consider investing in some of these great upgrades today to make your home feel futuristic and modern.
As a Realtor®, it’s important that I undertake the detailed research that’s required to represent your home or help you find a new one. Everyone wants a smooth transaction! To ensure one, that includes advising accordingly, negotiating fiercely on your behalf, and empowering you with as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision about selling your home or condo, and buying the next perfect place.
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