Make Your House a Smart Home
Many homeowners are looking for updates they can make to increase the value of their homes. Smart technology is a popular trend within the home design industry and is just one of the many upgrades you can make to improve your home. In addition to being a cost-worthy investment, smart technology is relatively easy to install and use.
You may be asking yourself, “how does smart technology increase the value of my home?” Smart technology can increase home safety, save money, save time and stress, and makes a home easier to sell. If you’re still unsure of what innovations to install in your home, here are a few smart upgrades that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Smart Appliances
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, smart kitchen appliances are an excellent addition to your project that will add more value. If you’re stuck trying to decide between smart devices and granite countertops, research the average kitchen remodel cost and crunch some numbers. You may find that smart appliances will provide you with more benefits and ROI.
You can immerse yourself in the world of smart technology with the various appliances that are on the market. Between a refrigerator that helps you shop for food, a microwave with scan-to-cook technology that will cook your food perfectly every time, or an oven that can preheat at the sound of your voice, the opportunities are endless.
No – this isn’t the Jetsons. These are kitchen upgrades that are available right now!
Smart Thermostats
When temperatures drop, your thermostat rises— and it’s no coincidence that your utility bill does as well. Programmable thermostats are nothing new, but the standard has been more challenging to use. Updated thermostats, including smart technology, takes out the confusion and can function independently.
A popular option is the Nest Learning Thermostat. It provides benefits of learning temperatures, you’re comfortable with, and when you enjoy them and program itself to create a schedule that fits your needs. It’s also proven to save energy, which saves you money. On average, the Nest Learning Thermostat has saved users $131 to $145 a year, which means this upgrade could pay for itself in under two years.
Smart Smoke Detectors
Another excellent smart technology product is the smart smoke detector. This product can not only save you money but also save you from the frustration of a typical detector. Cooking with the worry of setting off your detector is a thing of the past. You no longer have to disable your smoke detector because it lets out a piercing beep every time you burn some popcorn.
Detectors such as the Nest Protect can monitor smoke, carbon dioxide, and overall air quality. It has additional features that allow it to test itself and last for over a decade.
The Nest Protect is one of the first detectors that you can silence right from your phone and will give you alerts that tell you when something amiss. As a bonus, it has Steam Check—which is a humidity sensor that allows you to enjoy a carefree shower—and Pathlight—which lights up as you walk underneath.
Smart Sprinklers
Setting a timer on your sprinkler system might work just fine, but smart sprinklers offer you technology that can save you a lot of time and money. Instead of fussing around with a timer, you could instead be running your system all from your computer or phone. With a simple click, you can adjust your sprinkler system to account for the season and the weather.
Systems like the Rachio, offer suggestions to your water schedule based on your needs, detect leaks, and maximize water usage with a flow meter. Rachio has a personalized feature that will recommend soil type and water optimization based on your zip code, plant type, and sun exposure.
Smart Door Locks
Ever gone to leave the house only to go back and double-check if you’ve locked the door? Or maybe you get home and realize you’ve forgotten your key, and you can’t find your spare key. Smart door locks can eliminate both of these scenarios—among others— entirely.
August Smart Lock is an excellent option for smart locks that has plenty of features to remove the hassles of locking and unlocking your doors. You will never fumble for your keys because this product allows you to lock and unlock your door from anywhere with your voice and the app.
You can also give secure digital keys to guests and family members all from the luxury of your phone. In addition to convenience, this can give you an added sense of security, knowing you have control over who has access to your home.
Smart Lighting
Have you ever received your energy bill and wondered why it might be so high? It can be hard for you to monitor how much energy you’re using monthly. According to Energy Star, lighting amounts to 12% of an annual energy bill for a typical single-family. This may not seem like a lot, but over time, it can add up. Smart lighting is a great option to “lighten” both your energy usage and your utility bill.
Lighting options, such as Hue, provides users with features to use their products with voice control or from their phone. You can turn all your lights off with one tap, change the color of an entire room, or have lights turn on automatically when you arrive.
With smart lighting, you can customize your day, such as settings that grow brighter as you wake up or turn off when you leave, all the while saving you money.
Lighting is such a vital part of any home, especially when it comes time to sell. Never underestimate the importance of both natural and man made lighting in your property.
Smart Solar Panels
If you’re into clean, green, and renewable energy, there are now smart solar panels to contribute to your Eco-friendly efforts. Solar panels can reduce your electricity bill and give you energy independence. Which means you’re no longer at the hands of your electric company and subjected to spikes in your rates.
Panels are the most popular form of solar technology, but Smartflower is changing the game of solar and smart technology. Instead of panels, Smartflower stands as a monument that moves throughout the day to interact with light and shadows.
This product uses intelligent technology that tracks the sun, generating up to 40% more energy than dormant panels. At sunset, Smartflower will fold and clean itself to prepare for sunrise and maintain peak solar utilization.
If you are really into making your home more sustainable, you’ll love some of these Eco-friendly ideas.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to upgrade the home you’re living in, buy or sell, smart technology can be beneficial to homeowners in every stage. These upgrades are just a few of the “smart” options you can implement in your home as a good investment that will bring both convenience and value to your home.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed the review of the latest in home technology.
Other Valuable Real Estate Articles
- Home improvements that help when selling – see some of the improvements that can make a difference to help your house sell quicker and for more money.
- Cheap improvements that make your house sell faster – discover what you can do to improve your home inexpensively. If you are on a budget, these things won’t break the bank but will help immensely.
Use these additional home improvement resources to make excellent decisions surrounding your property.
About the Author: The above article on “smart” upgrades that add value to your home was written by Jessica D. Jessica enjoys providing valuable home improvement advice for those owners looking for sound tips and advice.
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