When you were given chores as a teenager, did you ever respond with, “Why can’t someone invent a self-cleaning floor?” Of course, someone eventually invented the iRobot floor cleaners. Going back farther in time, someone said, “Why can’t someone invent a machine to wash the clothes for us?” And someone did!
Today, the opportunities for adding automated features to our homes are growing. Using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology allows our devices to “talk” to one another and for us to “talk” to our homes, even from long distances.
We call these homes with automation technologies “Smart Homes”. The benefits of turning your home into a Smart Home are tremendous.
CONVENIENCE
You can schedule your thermostat according to your living habits, tell your oven to preheat while you’re in line at the grocery store, and see who is ringing your doorbell and even converse with them with devices like Ring doorbells.
SECURITY
Self-monitoring is made easy with smartphone apps. Add cameras, motion sensors, automated door locks, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. You can also install leak detectors to alert you to increased moisture so you can proactively protect your home from costly damage.
ACCESSIBILITY
Many accessible features are available for the elderly or disabled. Voice-command systems can control lights, lock doors, and operate a telephone or computer. Other devices help the speech impaired. Even labor-intensive tasks like watering the lawn can be automated.
EFFICIENCY
Create automation for shutting off lights when you leave a room, adjust the thermostat when you’re away, and operate motorized shades. Pair automation with energy-efficient appliances to find new ways to save on electricity, water, and natural gas.
RESALE
Adding Smart Home features is a good way to improve the resale value of your home. These features can attract savvy homebuyers in the future and potentially increase the value of your home.
HOME MANAGEMENT INSIGHTS
Monitor how much TV you watch, get an inventory of food in your smart fridge, and get an overview of your energy consumption habits over time. These insights help you to modify your daily habits and behaviors to live a lifestyle that improves efficiency.
SAVE MONEY ON INSURANCE
Check with your insurance company to see if they offer discounts on your homeowners’ insurance. Find out which smart devices and systems qualify for discounts. These may include thermostats, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, motion detectors, moisture, and humidity sensors, and smart security systems.
