Going Green, Home Improvement

Moving Toward a Smarter Home

Are you looking for ways to get a smarter home? I don’t mean more intelligent, I mean a home with features that work together and are easily adjustable and accessible through technology. A smart home is equipped with systems, like lighting, temperature, and security, which communicate with one another through technology, and can be controlled by a time schedule or be remotely activated from any web-enabled device. Smart home technology can also be used to control other systems, like the television, coffee pot, hot tub, or computer and stereo.

According to safety expert and Hometalker Elli Bishop of SafeWise, if you’re planning on making small and manageable changes to make your home smarter, it’s a good idea to start with actions and updates that enhance the security and energy efficiency before optimizing for comfort and convenience.

Small changes might include investing in temperature control, lighting control, smart irrigation, or smart window treatment systems. Nest’s Learning Thermostat learns the behaviors of its users, such as when they go to work and come home, so the thermostat adjusts the temperature of the home to an energy-efficient temperature until just before the user arrives. It saves money on the monthly electricity bill, while maintaining the proper temperature for its users. Other small changes include investing in smart home lighting, smart window treatment systems that reduce your home’s HVAC energy consumption, or smart irrigation systems that can save you thousands of gallons of water, like those from Cyber Rain. An even easier start to making your home smarter is to invest in energy efficient light bulbs so that you can save money on electricity bills.

Smart-Home

The various smart home technologies mentioned above can simplify your life and save you money. However, if you’re looking to spend a little more money to make your home even more eco-friendly, consider home automation systems. Home automation companies are not only offering security monitoring, but they include mobile thermostat control, mobile lighting and appliance control, remote door locks, and security camera access and control. With these types of energy management and home automation packages, you can remotely control your thermostat, lamps, and small appliances from any web-enabled device. Companies like Vivint also offer solar panel installation for those looking to go green and greatly lower their electricity bills.

Want more tips for how to get a smart home? Follow Elli Bishop on Hometalk through SafeWise, or search Hometalk’s Home Security topic page!

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