Automated home technology is cool. I mean, just saying it is fun. Come on. Say it with me.
"Smart homes."
"I have a smart home."
It sounds like the future. It sounds like you have money to spend. It sounds like freedom.
And that's the hook, isn't it? Freedom. Ease. Automation.
Turn your lights off from your bed. Control your TV with your voice. Lock your door from a million miles away.
But, as cool as this is, there’s a more important benefit to all of this "smart" technology we're filling our homes with.
Sustainability.
Sure, having your air conditioning kick on when you walk into your home is nice, but having it turn off when you leave saves energy and money. Using smart home technology with the intent to conserve can lead to energy efficiency, savings, and an overall better quality of life.
Energy Efficiency
Thermostats like Nest are a great way to save energy, but they aren't alone. Smart LED light bulbs can be set to turn off when you leave the house. Smart sensors can alert your phone if your fridge or window is open. Smart appliances can be set to run when it's most economical and can sense when their job is done, then automatically turn off. Imagine a future where all of these appliances work together harmoniously: your heater takes a break while your dryer runs, your blinds open when it's sunny outside, and more. It's not that far away.
Savings
Using smart devices like the ones listed above doesn't just save energy, it saves money too. A lower electric bill means a bigger budget and more money that can be used to replace old devices or upgrade a home to be even more sustainable. The initial cost may be a little higher, but most energy-efficient, smart devices pay for themselves over time. Tax credits can also be applied to specific smart, energy-efficient products like solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. And finally, smart homes sell faster and for more money. Research shows that home-buyers want smart technology to be pre-installed and that 80% percent of buyers are more likely to buy a home if it comes with automated technology.
Quality of Life
You can't buy happiness. We know that. But, more money means less stress, and that's something you can't beat. As cool as it is to tell Alexa to play the latest single from across the room, having more room in your budget is even cooler. And plus, energy-efficient homes put a considerably less amount of strain on the environment, making life better for all of us. So do yourself a favor, start replacing those old appliances with smart, sustainable devices that will actually make you, and the rest of us, a little happier.
Edited by
Ken Briodagh
