You might think that smart home devices are just another way for appliance stores to sell fancier gadgets. But they are more than just that. They are extremely practical and can actually help save a lot of money and energy in the long run.
Smart appliances are becoming more common in households today. And with so many new ones released every so often, you might be wondering what a good starting point is when transforming your regular home into a smart one. Take a look at these devices and consider them for your next home upgrade.
Smart Plugs
If you wish to upgrade to a smart home, getting smart plugs are an excellent way to start. They allow you to turn any plugged devices on or off. And what’s more is, plenty of them go a step further. You can control them remotely since they connect to a wireless network in your home. You may use a smart home platform like Google, Alexa, or Siri to turn your plugs on or off even when you are away.
Another advantage of using smart plugs—and perhaps its most important—is it monitors the power consumption of any device plugged into them. If you are conscious of your electricity bill, this allows you to have a clearer picture of how much power you are consuming regularly by accessing it through your smartphone.
Have you ever heard of vampire power? It pertains to the power consumption of any plugged electronic device on standby. It can account for 10 to 20% of your monthly electric bill without you even noticing it. Smart plugs allow you to minimize this issue by scheduling any device to turn on or off at specific times throughout the day. If you live a busy lifestyle, this can give you peace of mind. You can leave home without wondering if you forgot to turn things off at home.
Smart Heating and Cooling
Within the past decade, the power consumption for heating and cooling has decreased significantly compared to the ‘90s. However, they still account for a large percentage of household electricity usage. Upgrading to smart HVAC systems takes heating and cooling technology a step further.
Some analog air conditioning devices and thermostats already allow you to set the number of hours they are turned on or off. Smart HVAC systems, however, enable you to do this without conscious effort. They use sensors and AI to keep your home at the ideal temperature and even learn your preferred temperature settings. These features allow your HVAC to adjust their power consumption more efficiently, resulting in more energy savings.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting systems don’t just turn your lights on or off. Many of these products offer a wider variety of settings, such as dimming and color selection. When linked to your smart home system, you can even set lighting schedules or atmosphere instantaneously.
To give you a picture, you can use these features to set the mood when you invite friends over for a party. And if you wish to have a more peaceful ambiance while you sleep, simply adjust your smart home system or choose a setting through your smartphone and make the change instantly. Smart lighting systems offer greater freedom and control than simply turning your light switches on or off.
Smart Kitchen Devices
From achieving the perfect bread toast to brewing your ideal cup of coffee, smart kitchen devices can accomplish so much even before you get out of bed. This technology has evolved so much from just turning your kitchen devices on or off to literally preparing your food for you.
These devices are designed to make life easier while you multitask. Imagine having your breakfast prepared for you while you take a shower. Some devices can even heat your food as you arrive home from work. Not only do they allow you to save time, but they also give significant quality-of-life upgrades.
Some kitchen appliances that have been integrated with smart technology are refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and even pans, trashcans, and stirring devices. They can help significantly reduce energy usage and lower your electricity bills by making work easier and more efficient.
Smart Security Devices
Smart technology integration in security devices has increased safety in homes. From smoke detectors to security cameras, smart devices employ the latest technology to reduce risks and harm for homeowners.
The latest smart security cameras have improved waterproofing, motion tracking, color night vision, alarms, and they even have 911 connectivity. And because of improved camera technology, blind spots have been reduced, which means using fewer cameras to cover a wider area.
Smart indoor and outdoor protection gives you peace of mind and also helps you save cash. Plenty of homeowners’ insurance companies nowadays give discounts on premiums by as much as 20% if you have installed a professional home security system.
Smart technology gives you plenty of options to improve safety and quality of life and lower energy consumptions. Although there are plenty of devices readily available on the market, it is still advised to consult your trusted appliance stores for advice on the best gadgets and configurations for your smart home upgrades.
