If you’re finally thinking about welcoming your home to the 21st century, just know that you’re not the only one. Smart home technology is rapidly advancing and is more accessible than ever in the US, and my home country of Australia is experiencing a 25% rise in the average number of devices interconnected in a home just over the last year (the percentages are only going to grow).
However, creating a high-tech home isn’t an easy task, especially if you’re not up to date with all the new gadgets and additions that pop up on the market every day. So, here’s a little list of the absolute essential high-tech home improvements to treat yourself with as you consider a remodel project.
Smart Door Lock
Safety is always a great place to start, so check out the market for smart locks and grab one for your home. These boost security in your property and prevent intrusions ensuring you and your family are out of harm’s way. Another thing these can do is connect with your smart thermostat and smart lighting and turn them on as soon as you step into your house. Since there are so many smart lock models out there (and most are very good) make sure to pick one that works with your smartphone and other smart products.
High-Tech Music System
If you really want to connect your entire home and turn it into a fun, high-tech place, why not invest in a modern wireless sound system? This Internet-enabled invention lets you enjoy your fave tunes, radio programs, audiobooks, and podcasts throughout every room in your house. Just link them to your Apple Music, Spotify or other streaming service account and you’re ready to rock ’n’ roll!
Smart Lighting
One of the most desirable home automation features is the ability to control your lighting with a touch of your smartphone. This home addition is a great first step towards total automation, with Australians especially embracing the trend. With this, you don’t have to rack your brain whether you killed the lights before you went on your Sydney-Perth road trip.
When you deploy smart lighting, you’ll always have your entire home illumination settings at your fingertips no matter where you are. This not only boosts the practicality of your home, but also its safety (for instance, you can light up your home every once in a while you are away on holiday to deter burglars).
However, installing these can be a bit tricky, so depending on the system selected you might want to call a professional. If you’re located near my home base in Australia, an experienced local electrician in Sydney well versed in smart lighting to handle your setup is a good idea. A pro will properly wire your house and come up with the best solutions to your lighting needs.
Smart Thermostat
This is another connected home essential, perfect for high-tech noobs and veterans. A smart thermostat is a wonderful addition to every home from freezing Canada to scorching Australia. It’s a great gadget to invest in because it’s not only a practical way to keep your home at just the perfect temperature, but it can also save you money by reducing energy waste. Just like with smart locks, make sure to choose a model that works with other smart home devices, so you can control all of them from the same hub.
Smart Smoke and CO Detectors
Today, you can find a broad selection of smart smoke detectors that can be fitted to your home in place of the standard non-smart detectors. Many of these also include carbon monoxide (CO) detection, so can do double duty in their task of making your remodeled home safer than ever.
Central Vacuum System
If all you want to do is boost convenience in your home, consider building in a central vacuum system. With a central unit in a place of your choosing (under the stairs or in your garage) vacuum points are installed around your house where you can plug a simple hose and clean the room in a blink of an eye.
If you don’t have time for a vacuum, you can use the floor-mounted sweep points and simply sweep all your dirt into the main vacuum unit with a broom. This home addition might not be “smart” but it’s extremely useful and loved by all techies. Furthermore, for those with respiration-related health conditions, a central vacuum prevents the dispersion of dirt particles and irritants into the air during vacuuming.
Making More out of Your Remodel
No matter if you’re a tech freak or just a person who wants to have an easier life, these high-tech improvements will definitely make every chore easier and more fun. So, make sure to pick a few improvements from this list (or all of them) and enjoy your smartly remodeled and improved house.
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