With modern technology constantly progressing, we’ve seen a good amount of different smart-home devices come on the market in the last couple of years. These products have become more and more common with popular devices like Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Though some people may be apprehensive about this reliance on technology, there is no denying that they offer a great number of benefits to both simplify and enhance everyday life. Whether you’re building a new home or simply looking to upgrade, take a look at some of these smart-home programs and see if they’re a fit for you.
Smart Thermostats- There are several of these on the market, the most popular being the Nest Learning Thermostat. These are both energy efficient and super convenient. You can set the temperature to adjust to your liking during certain times of the day, like setting it to a cooler temperature at night, or dialing back the AC when you’re out of the house to save energy. Over time, the Nest “learns” your preferences and begins to automatically program itself to fit your patterns. Besides these features, you’re also able to control the thermostat on the go via an app on your phone. This way you don’t have to get out of bed if you find the room too hot at night, and you can also control the temperature when you’re away from the house on vacation.
Video Doorbells- A newer addition to the smart home family is the video camera doorbell. This is a doorbell system that you set up for the front door your home, that can recognize faces and automatically records when someone comes to your door. If you’re not home, you can still answer the doorbell. When someone rings your house, you get a notification on your phone. You then have the option to speak to the person at your door. This is great for instructing package delivery or simply practicing security by letting people know that you’re always alert, even when you’re not present at home.
Smart Locks- How many times have you left the house and second-guessed whether or not you actually locked the door? It can be such a hassle to have to turn around just to check or worry about it the whole time you’re out. With a smart lock, you have the ability to check whether or not you locked your house from an app on your phone, and lock it if needed. Some smart locks even come with a handsfree feature that allows you to both lock and unlock your door automatically. This is perfect if you tend to come and go with your hands full.
These amazing products are just the beginning of the many “smart” products and programs that are being developed to help simplify and enhance our homes. Not only do they make life easier, but many of them add a layer of security that caters to busy on-the-go lifestyles. With so many options, you’re able to choose the devices that work for you, allowing you to further customize your home!