Our homes are getting smarter. They are becoming more automated, more efficient, and making our lives easier in so many ways. They can anticipate our needs by memorizing and reacting to our lifestyles so they can produce settings before we even realize we need them. This technology is featured in doorbells, thermostats, security systems, kitchen appliances, entertainment systems, lighting, window coverings, and more.

Jennifer Fly Real Estate Smart Home Systems

STATE OF THE ART SECURITY SYSTEMS

The latest high-tech security systems will help you feel safe and secure in your home. Offering 24/7 live video and infared LED lights, the system will alert your phone when the cameras detect activity. Some systems work with facial recognition, so they know if it’s a family member or a stranger outside, and alert you as needed.

DIGITAL VIDEO DOORBELLS

Video Doorbells have become increasingly popular in the past few years. Through your smartphone, you receive an alert when visitors arrive and you are able to see who is at the door without opening it, or even if you aren’t home. You can also speak to them and hear them through your preferred device - which is great to discourage solicitors or tell the UPS delivery person where to leave your package.

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND SMART GARAGE DOOR SYSTEMS

Do you ever have that nagging feeling as you are driving away from your house that you forgot to lock the door or close the garage? Or have you forgotten to leave a key out for a housekeeper or guest? Smart door locks and garage door openers can be operated from your phone, so you can lock and unlock the doors remotely. They also offer keypads so each family member has their own code, and some even use fingerprint technology. You can set one day codes for dog walkers or maintenace workers that only work during certain times, and allow you to track everyone who comes and goes from your home.

HIGH TECH TEMPERATURE CONTROLS

Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home from anywhere at anytime with your smartphone, so you can turn the thermostat down before you leave for vacation, or turn on the heat or the air conditioning remotely so your house is ready for you when you get home. They also offer voice-activated control if you are at home and simply tell it to turn the temperature up or down. These devices get smarter over time, so if you always turn the temperature down right before bed, it will adjust the settings to automatically adjust down at bedtime, and then warm up again in the morning before you wake up. These automatic settings can help you save up to 12% on you heating bills and 15% on cooling bills.

SMART KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Jennifer Fly Real Estate Smart Kitchen Technology

These are some of our favorites. Smart refrigerators are equipped with wifi and a camera, so you can check the inventory from your smartphone while you are grocery shopping, or they will tell you if the milk has passed its expiration date. Some also offer digital touch screens that act like a bulletin board for your family, connecting calendars, playing music, or displaying recipes. They will also alert you if a door is left open, or if there is a leak.

Smart ovens allow you to set timers, change the temperature, and pre-heat from your phone before you get home, so it’s ready when you walk in the door. Some offer a temperature probe that monitors meat and poultry and alerts you when they have reached the correct temperature. And others have an internal camera, so you can monitor your food from your phone, and without opening the oven door. Another great feature - if you have an issue, the system can automatically run a diagnostic check and send the findings to the repairman before he sets foot in your home.

SMART LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

With these new products, you can control the lighting in your home from anywhere, so you can turn them on before you get home, or use the voice-activated system to dim the lights when you are comfortably curled up watching a movie with your family. Light sensors can detect when you have entered a hallway or room and illuminate it, or turn the lights off when you leave, making your pathway safe and saving energy.

INTELLIGENT SHADES AND WINDOW SOLUTIONS

Smart window shades can be programmed to open and close throughout the day as needed, which can be a huge energy saver, by keeping the home dark and cool during hot summer days to save money on air conditioning when you aren’t at home. They can also be set to close before bedtime, and to open and let natural light in as you are waking up in the morning.

SMART SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

These systems allow you to control your sprinkler system from your phone, so you can adjust the settings, control the zones, and monitor water usage even when you are away from home. They will also alert you if you have a leak, before it causes major damage or a sky-high water bill.

WATER VALVE CONTROLS

These valves are connected to your water main, so you can control the water supply to your home from the app. If you are on vacation and an appliance leaks, for example, the system will automatically shut off the water to the home and notify you of the problem, before more damage can be done. These can monitor dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters and more, giving you peace of mind when you are away from home, or when you own vacation homes or rental properties.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER WITH SMART HOME APPS, SENSORS AND AUTOMATED HOME ASSISTANTS

The beauty of these systems is when they all work together, and there are several systems that allow you to ultimately control them all from one central “command center” in your home, and then from your laptop or smartphone while you are away.

Home sensors can be placed to activate lighting as you walk into a hallway or room, or act as motion detectors for your security system.

Many homes already have a hands-free home assistant. You can ask your digital assistant virtually anything - to play music, set reminders, or control other compatible devices like lighting, window shades, heating/cooling, and appliances.

Without a doubt, technology is already a huge part of our lives, and through these smart home products, it is making our lives easier. While many of these products are new and still fairly expensive, they are sure to become more readily available and more affordable, and may ultimately save you money in the long run.