Smart Home Upgrades to Consider in Your Home

Have you ever considered upgrading your home by automating it with smart technology? You might think it’s too expensive and just brush it off. However, it can actually be a good investment, not only for the bragging rights and the convenience it brings, but also for reducing bills and increasing your home’s value, especially if you have plans of selling it some day.

What is a smart home?

A smart home is basically a house set up with smart gadgets, furniture, and appliances connected within a single network. They can be controlled with motion sensors, voice commands, or your smartphone or laptop remotely via the internet. With smart technology, you have better functionality for almost any feature inside your home, whether it’s heat, light, sound, or the other electronics. Smart devices can be energy-efficient, too. For instance, in a previous feature here on MTK Design Group, a smart thermostat was considered the most efficient and reliable solution to make your home eco-friendly. Smart devices are also flexible as they can sync with each other and form a system. The core of this system, according to a guide to smart homes by HomeServe, is the smart home hub. This central hub allows the smart devices to work together, performing shared functions according to your preferences. For example, your smart thermostat can check if your smart windows are closed tight when it detects a cold breeze inside the house. Among the most popular smart hubs are Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

What upgrades can make up a smart home?

1. The smart thermostat controls heating and air conditioning for your home. You can control the in-house temperature and customize or schedule it based on your comfort. It’s internet-connected, so you can control it with your smartphone or laptop remotely from practically anywhere. 2. Smart lighting has automated motion sensors using photoelectric control technology, which can detect movement whether it is from people or animals and turn the lights on or off. It maximizes natural light, saving 65% of the total energy consumption. 3. With smart switches and outlets, you can control your electronics’ switches and plugs, whether you’re home or away. Some don’t require a hub to control, only an application. While some others can be controlled by smart hubs such as Google Home. With some smart switches, you can turn your appliances on and off with a voice command. The Wyze Plug, is considered the best smart outlet in a recent review by NYTimes' Wirecutter, as it’s the least expensive and supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT for added control and automation. 4. While traditional detectors set alarms in your home, smart smoke or carbon dioxide detectors send messages to smartphones. They also send notifications if the battery is running low and needs to be replaced. They also have back-up batteries in case there are any power outages. Smart detectors have stronger sensors that can detect smoke from a long way away. 5. Smart locks are installed over mechanical locks so they can physically upgrade them. Most smart locks use apps to grant or deny access to the system. They have smart keys, like a password, that can be operated remotely from a smartphone or laptop. The virtual key is sent via e-mail or SMS to unlock the door. 6. A smart doorbell lets you know who’s knocking on your door from any remote distance. You’ll receive a video call on your smartphone whenever anyone’s at your door. You can receive notifications when someone arrives and communicate with them remotely. 7. Smart blinds or shades have automated motors that can be controlled with apps, voice, or a remote control. They also come with built-in light sensors that operate based on exterior lighting. So you don’t have to manually cover your windows during dusk. It can do the routine work for you with automated sensors. Some even have solar energy features, which save even more energy. Partner with MTK Design Group to enhance the look and functionality of your windows.