Top 3 benefits of a smart home you shouldn't live without.
Monday, October 12, 2020
Before you dig into researching smart home options, it helps to decide what you want most from your technology.
1. Energy Efficiency
Many smart home products allow you to be more energy efficient, so you’re doing your part for the environment, not to mention easing some strain on your wallet. When you’re trying to improve your at-home energy usage, a great starting place is a programmable thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature in your home from work, from the airport when you’ve just returned from vacation or even from bed when you’re too cold to get out from under the covers. Learning thermostats, one of the latest innovations in home automation, will even learn your daily routines and, with time, be able to change the temperature based on your personal preferences without you having to do a thing.
Other connected devices that can have a big environmental impact include washers and dryers, thanks to enhanced sensors that stop the devices from running unnecessarily when the cycle is finished or water monitors that can alert you to leaks in a basement, utility closet or laundry room before they become a moldy mess.
Lighting, especially, is a great example of how you can turn an ordinary electronic into a smart appliance. Connect them to a smart plug – CNET offers their favorites for 2020 – and you’ll be able to turn lights on or off using your smartphone. Check out more ways that getting smart can save you and your home energy in our blog archive.
2. Convenience & Security
On those scatterbrained days when you can’t remember if you locked the door or shut the garage, smart devices pull double duty by helping to keep your home secure and by doing it conveniently. When you can use your smartphone to lock your Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt from anywhere, or an app to check on your smart garage door, there’s no more retracing your steps to check that everything’s secure and being late for work. Make these part of a smart routine and the convenience levels skyrocket. A single command will make sure your entrances are secure, your lights are dimmed and more, so you can rest easy at night.
Connected cameras allow you to check in from time to time and offer even more peace of mind. And video doorbells can alert you when someone’s on your porch. It’s a great way to see when a package is delivered or, worst-case scenario, drawing unwanted attention from porch pirates.
3. Time
Smart devices are time savers in more ways than one. One study found that 57% of Americans say their smart home devices save them 30 minutes per day. That’s 182.5 hours, or more than a week, each year.
Clearly, these smart devices are giving back free time, allowing us to focus on other activities. Instead of being confined to the kitchen or constantly adjusting the music during a party, spend time with your guests by automating music playlists, lighting and more. Use smart kitchen appliances that alert you when food is on the verge of spoiling or remotely check if the meal in the oven is done, and you’re not only saving time, but money as well.
When choosing connected home products, make sure you consider the benefits that matter most to you. Learn more about smart homes and the technology that makes them so safe, convenient and simple, at the Schlage blog.
