Wondering about home technology? How many times have you left home and wondered if you closed the garage door? What about lowering the thermostat when you are going to be out of town? So how do you get started…
Using Home Technology to Set-up a SMART home
While there are several options in setting up a SMART home, one of the current options is an alarm system that offers home automation. Popular companies, including ADT, offer SMART home systems that provide features including:
- Ability to arm and disarm your security remotely
- Automate lights
- Adjust the thermostat
- Automate appliances from remote locations
- Camera monitoring that can be viewed on your smartphone, tablet or computer
More sophisticated systems can be used increase energy efficiency by lowering or raising the temperature based on someone being in the room or turning lights on/off if a room is empty. A smart home could even notify you when it’s time to take medicine, and alert the hospital or emergency services if someone falls, shut off water before a tub overflows or turn off an oven.
Cost of a SMART Home?
Depending on the sophistication of your system, a SMART home could cost in excess of $20,000. But there are systems that can be put in place for far less. An alarm system offering home automation can be under $50/month. And then there are other items that you might find helpful:
Philips Hue Lights
Control the lighting in your home with your smartphone using the Hue Personal Wireless Lighting system. A starter pack of one bridge and three A19 bulbs can often be found for under $200, and one bridge can control up to 50 A19 or BR30 bulbs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s_U87WHHX3g
Nest Thermostat
Conserve energy and adjust your thermostat from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Google liked this so much it acquired the company last month! A Nest Learning Thermostat can be purchased through their website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L8TkhHgkBsg
Looking for more? Check out the Smarthome Home Automation Superstore. And here are some local vendors* offering home technology and automation services for residential real estate in Dallas and Acworth, GA: