Smart Home Technology
Smart Home Technology
Cool, Convenient and Valuable: The Benefits of Integrating Smart Home Technology Smart technology
Smart technology and home automation can add a level of convenience and efficiency significant enough that many homeowners assume it comes at too high a cost to be a consideration in upgrading their property value. However, the value of such an investment becomes quite clear when you consider that 80 percent of home buyers prefer a house featuring elements of smart technology, according to Professional Builder.
There’s more to it than “gee whiz” factor; home automation upgrades mean lower energy costs, an enhanced lifestyle, and greater personal control over home systems, both on-site and remotely. More importantly for a seller, there’s considerable value to be gained from an investment in smart home technology if one is contemplating putting a house on the marketplace. The following smart technology devices are of particular value.
Smart Thermostats
The latest generation of smart thermostats brings an annual savings of about $170 by sensing whether someone is at home or away and adjusting the temperature accordingly. They’re extremely easy to use because they do most of the work themselves, representing a substantial improvement over standard adjustable thermostats.
Smoke Detector
A smart smoke detector is an investment that can save lives as well as money. The newest generation of detectors are capable of analyzing and responding to the composition of smoke, making it possible to differentiate between smoke that means danger and that which does not, so the detector doesn’t go off indiscriminately, requiring you to disconnect it if you’re cooking dinner or simply lighting a fire in the hearth. The value of a smart smoke detector lies in the fact that about two-thirds of in-home deaths caused by fire happen in homes where a detector is either not in place or has been disconnected. Thus, a product that costs approximately $100 can save you up to 5 percent on insurance premiums.
Smart Lighting
Energy Star has found that lighting comprises approximately 12 percent of your yearly energy costs (more than $260 a year). Smart lighting makes intelligent, round-the-clock, control possible with technology that lets you turn lights on and off and control brightness via your smartphone. Smart lighting can also detect whether someone’s home and adjust light levels accordingly and be programmed to increase light levels gradually in the morning while you’re waking up. This technology can also be applied to a home’s exterior, providing lighting that helps protect your home’s security via motion detection. To ensure your safety, consider hiring a local electrician to install the switches, fixtures, and outlets necessary to integrate smart technology; the cost of such an installation in Jupiter, Florida, ranges from $143 to $556.
Smart Locks
Most homeowners would agree that there’s a certain inefficiency to door keys, which can so easily be lost and reproduced. Smart door locks render keys obsolete, allowing you to control a home’s locks through a smartphone via a Wifi or Bluetooth signal. It can be programmed to unlock doors automatically upon your return home or permit access to friends, family members, or others who need access, such as repair personnel.
Sprinkler Control
A traditional outdoor sprinkler system uses inefficient amounts of water just to keep your lawn looking green and healthy. A smart sprinkler control system is capable of saving more than 30 percent on water costs. This technology, which can be programmed through a smartphone or computer, is capable of accounting for changes in the weather to ensure efficient water usage. Smart home technology represents a radical upgrade in terms of convenience, energy efficiency, and property value. It’s a relatively cost-effective enhancement that can easily be controlled via a smartphone — and it’s a smart investment if you’re intent is to sell.
Article provided by Suzie Wilson from HappierHome.net.
