Smart Living – 5 Amazing Technology Upgrades for Your Home
Whether you’re looking to add value to your house before putting it on the market or have secretly always wanted to live in a Jetsons-style abode, home automation has reached a level of advancement that can allow you to comfortably do both. From Bluetooth door locks and smart security systems to automated pet feeders and window shades, you can now control almost every aspect of your life from your smartphone or with simple voice commands. While some of these tech upgrades are still pretty budget-breaking, we’ve hunted down four of the best that are as affordable as they are impressive.
1. Secure your house the smart way
While your budget may not yet allow for a comprehensive home security system, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that take advantage of the latest in cutting-edge technology. One easy to install option that offers homeowners a wealth of smart features is a Bluetooth smart lock system. These affordable security devices allow you to do away with keys in favor of codes that can be regularly changed to maintain a high level of security. You can even create temporary electronic keys for guests and tradespeople and monitor all people coming and going from your property, all from your cell phone.
Pair this with a video doorbell and you’ll have an affordable yet high-tech setup that will give you peace of mind that your house is secure. As affordable as Bluetooth smart locks, video doorbells sense any movement in their vicinity, take a recording, and send it to your smartphone for review.
2. Enlist some robo-cleaners
Perhaps the most desirable home tech upgrade of all is a device that can handle one of your least favorite tasks: cleaning. While we’re not quite at the level of affordable robotic butlers who can apply decision-making algorithms to tidying up after you, there are some surprisingly affordable robotic cleaners on the market.
Robotic vacuums and even window cleaners are available, each programmed to map your house to ensure not a spot is missed in their cleaning endeavors. They may not be able to fold your socks of alphabetize your record collection, but these little wonders will allow you to dedicate the time you once spent cleaning to more fruitful endeavors.
3. Even your lightbulbs can be smart
Light bulb technology has advanced well past the simple (yet awesome) upgrades that saw their energy efficiency improve. If you’re still rocking old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, it’s time to seriously consider an overhaul. Nowadays there are a variety of high-tech options that allow you to control the lighting in your house via an app on your tablet or smartphone. While such lighting rigs do come with a bit of an upfront investment, they’re also far more energy-efficient, so you’ll be saving in the long run.
4. Revolutionize your kitchen
You’d be surprised at just how high-tech you can get with your kitchen appliances nowadays. In fact, you can now connect your fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and other appliances, not just to each other, but to speakers and virtual assistants. At the center of this technological kitchen revolution is the smart refrigerator.
If you were to upgrade just one kitchen appliance, the fridge would have to be it. Fitted out with internet connectivity, internal cameras, and a touchscreen interface, these appliances can observe and regulate their own temperature and communicate with your other devices, making food wastage a thing of the past and streamlining your grocery shopping and cooking experiences.
While there are endless smart home upgrades on the market today, the above suggestions will allow you to catapult yourself into the future without blowing out your budget.
Whether you’re looking to add value to your house before putting it on the market or have secretly always wanted to live in a Jetsons-style abode, home automation has reached a level of advancement that can allow you to comfortably do both. From Bluetooth door locks and smart security systems to automated pet feeders and…