After a year of work-from-home, you’re probably looking for ways to make your home work for you. A few simple home improvements can go a long way in making your home more efficient.
Whether it’s keeping an eye on your pets while you’re away, or brewing your coffee before you’re even out of bed, home automation is the key to homeowner happiness.
Here we discuss some smart home devices that will integrate effortlessly with your life and already existing routines.
1. Smart LED Light Bulbs
Smart LED light bulbs can allow you to turn your lights on, off, or even dim them from anywhere using your phone. If you hate walking into a dark house, turn on your lights from your car.
Gone are the days of leaving your home and not being able to remember if you turned off all of the lights. With smart LED light bulbs, you can usually just control them from your phone.
Smart LED light bulbs save energy — and, over time, money — and are expected to last for up to 22 years. They are easily installed by simply screwing them into a light socket, just like any other light bulb.
2. Smart Plugs
Small appliances or lamps can easily be controlled from your phone when plugged into a smart plug. Forgot to turn off that lamp downstairs? With a smart plug, there’s no need to go back down.
You can save time and energy by making sure that all of your lights are off from the comfort of your bed. Not to mention extending the life span of whatever light bulb your lamp is using.
Smart plugs are easily installed. Simply plug them into a wall socket and plug-in lamps or small appliances up to 12 amps.
4. A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat will allow you to change the temperature in your home from anywhere using your phone. You can have it on a timer and schedule out AC time for the hotter parts of the day. Using a smart thermostat can save you money if you schedule it to consistently turn the temperature down when you’re not home, according to energy.gov.
5. Smart Door Locks
Have you ever left the house and then couldn’t remember if you locked the front door or not? Smart door locks put an end to those worries. They automatically lock after 30 seconds, and you can check your locks from anywhere using your phone, or even let someone in when you’re not there without ever having to make a spare key.
Some smart door locks even allow you to integrate your smart lights by having them turn on once the door is unlocked.
6. An HD Camera
Keep an eye on things even when you’re not there. With an HD camera, you can check on pets when you’re away at work, say “hi” to the kids when they get home from school, or you can even snap pictures of special moments that you may have missed.
Ultimately, a smart home saves you time. With easy-to-use technology that works around you to optimize your life, it’s easier than ever to make your home more efficient.
