Remember when “The Clapper” was considered ahead of its time? To be able to turn off the lights from anywhere in the house with the simple motion of your hand(s) – genius! Time saving and practical (unless, of course, you love clapping), one might consider The Clapper to be the early ancestor of today’s increasingly smart Smart Home Technology: apps, tools and gadgets designed to let you take control of your environment from the palm of your hand.
Even if you don’t buy into the technology hype, you have to admit the products on the market today are pretty impressive. Created to fit your lifestyle like a glove, this new technology has the added benefit of saving you money – always a plus in the long run.
Smart Thermostats
Heating and cooling a home can be one of the biggest drains on a homeowner’s monthly finances, and smart or learning thermostats take the guess work out of energy savings.
While there are a few products on the market, Google’s Nest system is one of the most popular and with good reason – this device goes above and beyond “set it and forget it”, learning just what temperatures you like and when (during the day and night). Don’t worry if you’re absent minded – built-in movement sensors monitor whether you’re home or away and the Nest adjusts itself accordingly. Even better, everything can be monitored and adjusted right from your smartphone.
Smart Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors
You might think a smart smoke/carbon monoxide detector is a little over-the-top, but the peace of mind they deliver is worth the expense. First, many replace the high-pitched, smoke-alarm beep with a human voice, and they can deliver accurate and detailed information on the nature and whereabouts of problems detected.
If a fire or other event happens while you’re away, emergency notifications are sent straight to your smartphone. You’ll never have to worry about being the last to know again.
Smart Bulbs
Did you know it’s possible to light your home with green technology? Those looking to conserve energy, save money and generally be kinder to the environment can take that extra step by switching your incandescent bulbs to LEDs.
LED bulbs are cool, but don’t just take our word for it. First of all, they can change colour – instant party! Heading home late but forgot to leave the porch light on? No problem! You can remotely operate individual lights or lights in groups, sync them with other smart products, and automate them to fit your lighting schedule. LED bulbs also require less power than traditional bulbs, and last a lot longer.
