Smart devices are designed to help homeowners run a more energy-efficient home without any extra hassle. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading devices to automate your Foley, Alabama, home this year, here are some of the best smart devices currently on the market.
Home Hubs
Home hubs like Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show are powered by Alexa, Amazon’s helpful voice assistant. These smart hubs can control just about every gadget in your house with the sound of your voice, as long as you take the time to set them up right. For example, Echo Dot can connect to a speaker to add Alexa’s voice command functionality. Certain models, like the Echo Show, feature a touch screen from which you can make video calls and view search results.
Other brands, such as the Wink Hub 2, work with your home’s Wi-Fi to control everything a smart home needs to run efficiently, including Bluetooth, Lutron Clear Connect, and Google Home. To date, the Wink Hub 2 is the most widely supported home hub on the market.
Smart Locks and Home Security Systems
Most of the big-name door lock companies offer smart home options, but none have achieved a reputation thus far quite like August. The Apple HomeKit-enabled smart lock is available for less than $200 and mounts over your existing deadbolt lock, making it easy for any homeowner to install. Once in place, it connects to your door and speaks to your mobile phone via Bluetooth. Thanks to smart locks like August, you and your guests can enjoy easy access to your home without fumbling for keys.
If you’d like a do-it-yourself approach to home security, check out the Abode Home Security Starter Kit. This handy system offers professional-quality monitoring solutions like smart light switches and door locks, plus it supports Amazon’s Alexa voice commands, making it a good choice if you already have the personal assistant hub.
Smart Thermostats
One of the best ways you can run a more energy-efficient home is with smart HVAC technology that streamlines your usage. Today’s smart thermostats feature built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to remotely control your home’s temperature from any mobile device, even from your work computer. Features like online runtime tracking allow you to note exactly where your dollars are being spent on energy, helping you modify your HVAC settings to boost your savings. In most cases, you’ll see results immediately.
But the benefits of smart thermostats don’t stop there. Control your home’s temperature settings for your pets when you’re away at work. Or, crank up the AC for your teenager who’s headed home from school early. Smart thermostats are also handy for when you’re away on vacation and need to monitor your home’s temperature settings. Did you forget to adjust the thermostat before you left for the beach? No problem! With a smart thermostat, you control your heating and air conditioning settings from anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi connection.
There are currently two types of smart thermostats on the market: one that automatically learns from your behavior and adjusts accordingly, such as being able to detect when someone’s home, and one that offers remote programming and management. Some models even fall into both categories. Once you’ve found the right smart thermostat for your needs, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Robot Vacuums
One automation device that’s been around for several years is the robot vacuum. Fortunately, competing models have helped drive the price down to make them more affordable than ever, so if you haven’t splurged on one yet, 2017 might be the year to do so.
Robot vacuums are quiet, efficient cleaners with a host of abilities. Cheaper models cover the basics, such as cleaning your floors based on the schedule you program from the vacuum’s remote, while more expensive models connect to your home’s Wi-Fi, giving you total control at all times. Well-known brands like the Roomba even feature onboard cameras for navigation help, as well as smartphone apps that provide you with detailed cleaning reports.
Home automation is making it easier than ever to be an energy-efficient homeowner. Start making the switch today by contacting Keith Air Conditioning at 251-317-9745 to get started on your HVAC system upgrades.
