Image via Kozzi
Who remembers watching the Jetsons and wishing for their own flying car? We’re not quite at that point just yet, even though plenty of spaces have moving sidewalks and robots aren’t unusual anymore, although I’m sure most of us wouldn’t mind our own Rosie. We might not be able to make our cartoon memories a reality (yet) but there are plenty of ways to make your home a little smarter.
Keyless Technology
Try something like the August Smart Lock and you’ll be able to use your phone to let people into your home, unlock your door as you carry seven bags of groceries (in one hand), and even keep a record of who’s coming and going and at what times throughout the day.
Lighting
Who wants to be blinded when you turn on your lights in the morning? With products like Phillips Hue, you can use smart lighting to have your lights come on gradually when you first wake up. If that’s not enough of a reason, smart lighting also lets you set times when your lights should turn on or off throughout the day.
Home Automation
Full home-automation system, like Insteon, give you remote control from a web browser or your mobile device to control your heating and air conditioning, irrigation systems (no need to run the sprinklers if it’s already raining), your lights, and even your appliances.
Smart TVs
Walk through a big box store, and you’ll see more and more smart televisions. Who sits down in front of the TV just to watch a show anymore? Now you can get online, check your Facebook page, and do almost everything you’d do on your computer – from your TV and with a great picture, too.
Smart Appliances
Whether it’s the smart dishwasher from Bosch or the smart washer and dryer from LG, even our appliances are getting smarter and more high-tech. Use less energy, start your load from anywhere, and keep track of the cycles and usage even when you’re not at home.
Thermostats
Whether it’s a smart thermostat by Carrier or the Nest Thermostat from Google, keeping your home warm or cool keeps getting easier. Smart thermostats adapt to your movements, let you monitor energy use, and can be pre-set to create the right temperature you need when you wake up, get home, and right before bed. Best of all, you can do it all from your phone or tablet.
Smart technology makes your life easier, and when you’re ready to sell, it can help increase the value of your home. Just a tip – when you put your home on the market, show your real estate agent how to use your smart technology. It’s hard to show off the great features of a home when we don’t know how to turn the lights on!
Source:
9 Ways to Turn Your House into a Smart Home, BobVila.com
How to Make a Smart Home from a Dumb One, PCMag.com
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