When you hear people talk about “smart homes,” they are merely referring to the way that you can control and monitor your home’s systems remotely. You can check the temperature, turn down the cooling, make sure the doors are locked, and much more. If you want a smart home, you don’t have to go out and buy a new home. You can make changes to your current home, adding and installing features that you can control with a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone. Smart home products are popular for several reasons:
- They are convenient.
- They save you money.
- They keep your home more comfortable.
- They make your home safer.
- They are easy and fun to manage.
HOW TO CHOOSE SMART PRODUCTS
Smart products can be a little more expensive than your typical home fixtures. For that reason, most people choose not to upgrade their entire home all at once with smart products. That is one of the benefits of transforming your abode into a smart home. You can choose to do it all at once or in steps. If you want to start with a few essentials, select smart home systems that will have the greatest impact. We recommend asking yourself a few questions to help you decide:
- What home systems are costing me the most money to run? Or, which monthly bills related to my home do I most want to reduce?
- What home systems do I most frequently forget to monitor?
- Which home features do I wish would monitor themselves?
- Where do I feel like my home is lacking in safety?
This list should help you narrow down your list to things like self-locking doors and windows, a fireplace or stove with an automatic shut-off, faucets that use more water, an inefficient heating or cooling system, or house lights that are frequently left on when not needed. Smart home products can solve any and all of these problems.
HOW THEY WORK
Smart home products are quick and easy for a professional to install. Just talk to your home builder, plumber, or electrician about smart products you are interested in. Once installed, they are easy for the entire family to use. You can have your smart products up and running in as little as one day.
- First, have the specialist walk you through set up or follow the owner’s manual to set up the smart home system initially.
- Download any apps you need or set up your account on websites that monitor the smart feature in your home.
- Access the app or website at work, at the gym, or anywhere on your phone.
- Finally, get a good night’s sleep knowing all is well with your home.
You can customize your smart home system to exactly how you want it to work. This is what makes smart homes so convenient. Every family has different needs, such as when they eat, sleep, shower, clean dishes, and turn the lights on. Your smart home systems will work with your family’s schedule, minimizing energy usage and saving you time and money.
HOW THEY SAVE MONEY
How exactly do smart homes save you money? Several ways. Have you ever looked at your water bill and wished you could lower it permanently? Have you ever wondered what was causing your heating bill to skyrocket? Everyday life and every season has fluctuations, but smart products help to minimize those fluctuations while still meeting the family’s needs. For example, a smart thermostat can be programmed to keep the house cooler at a certain time of day and then warmer during other times. When the house is always comfortable, there is no need for you to constantly be going back to the thermostat to turn it up. And if you never have to turn up the temperature, then you’ll never forget to turn it back down again. An added benefit of smart heating and cooling systems is that they usually include more energy-efficient heaters and air conditioners.
WHAT’S TRENDING WITH SMART HOMES
Manufacturers are constantly coming up with new and amazing products for smart homes. For example, not only can you program your thermostat from your phone, but now you can even install a smart thermostat that can remember your heating and cooling preferences and automatically set your home’s temperature without you touching a button. Talk about staying comfortable without shooting your utility bill through the roof! Here are a few other popular smart products on the market:
- Water leak sensors
- Water shutoff valves to stop leaks
- Automated, electronic water softeners/conditioners
- Water heater shutoff
- Water-conserving faucet attachments
- Automatic irrigation sprinkler systems
- Energy-saving, programmable thermostats
- Automated air conditioning systems
- Motion detectors
- Automatic, timed lights
- Light dimmers
- Digital security system
- Automated home locks
GETTING STARTED
Make sure you get high-quality smart home systems by talking to neighbors about products they have used and asking the experts about the highest-quality products they offer. You can also tell quality products by whether they come with a warranty. If you prefer to start slow, choose one or two smart changes to your house. You can experience the convenience and the monthly savings before making further upgrades to your home. Every upgrade will make a difference and save energy and money. The more smart products you invest in, the more you’ll enjoy the benefits!
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