Smart home technology has evolved rapidly in recent years as the variety, capability and usage of smart devices have all skyrocketed. Canadians invest in smart home technology for a variety of reasons. One of the most significant benefits is the security smart devices offer to homeowners, given the ability to remotely monitor devices from within and outside the home. What’s more, for those homeowners who are serious about their environmental responsibility, a growing trend among millennial homebuyers in particular, smart home technology can reduce energy consumption and create a greener home year-round. A fortunate consequence of lower energy usage is the associated cost savings, which helps homeowners save money they can reinvest in their homes.
Here are some of the best smart home devices that can help you achieve security, sustainability and cost savings:
Thermostats
A smart thermostat can help you heat and cool your home more efficiently. For instance, with a smart thermostat, you can schedule your furnace or air conditioner to run less while you’re out with just a swipe of the finger – whether you’re home or not. This means that the systems that consume the most energy are running less and more efficiently.
What’s more, a smart thermostat can help protect your home from damage, particularly if you’re away on a winter vacation. If your home gets too cold while you’re away, it can alert you and/or automatically turn the heat up to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Lighting
Smart lighting lets you manage your indoor and outdoor lighting systems remotely through your mobile device. They offer significant security and energy-saving advantages:
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You can program lights to turn on automatically when triggered by motion, or they can be connected to a video doorbell, deterring would-be burglars |
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You can set times for indoor and/or outdoor lights to turn on while you’re away, giving the impression that someone is at home |
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By being able to automate and remotely control which lights are on, you’re only using the lights you need, when and where they’re needed. In doing so, you’re reducing your home’s carbon footprint |
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By setting a timer for your lights to turn on while you’re out, you won’t return to a dark house, which will help you feel comfortable and secure when arriving home |
And should you be looking to sell your home during the winter months, you can program your lighting to turn on at dusk to best show your home during those darker days. After all, the right lighting can create a warm and relaxing ambiance and capture homebuyers’ imaginations during this time of year.
Security systems
Smart home security systems have risen in popularity over traditional models, given the many benefits they offer. With real-time alerts, smoke detection, motion detection and video surveillance, smart home systems – which can be accessed from any mobile device – notify homeowners the moment trouble is detected. If you just wish to check in on your home – for instance, if your kids are at home alone – you can monitor activity and easily spot suspicious activity.
Smart home security systems come with a variety of sensors and cameras and can be easily customized to your home and your preferences. Plus, because they are wireless, there is no need for hardwires or lengthy installation appointments.
Traditional models, meanwhile, are reactive in nature, sounding the alarm only after an incident has occurred. Without a connection to your mobile device, you’re relying on a dispatcher to communicate what’s happening, giving you a limited opportunity to solve any issues yourself.
Locks
Smart locks allow you to control access to your home from a smartphone. Whether you want to check that your door is locked – or lock it remotely if it’s not – smart locks help you defend your home from anywhere. Plus, they allow you to unlock a door without sharing keys or keypad codes – so you can let in a contractor, realtor, babysitter or neighbour who’s dropping off a package – without the need for a physical key.
Speakers
When on the same network as smart devices, Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant can connect with other devices that are on your home’s Wi-Fi connection. Smart speakers can control lights, temperature, and locks with voice commands, which offers everyday convenience and added benefits for those with mobility issues.
And they can keep you organized! If you’ve got a busy schedule, it can be difficult to stay on track with all of life’s to-dos. Between hectic work hours, school activities, sports, lessons, family commitments and more, smart speakers can help you stay on track and provide reminders for things like work deadlines, reservations, birthdays, anniversaries, and more.
From a security standpoint, some smart speakers can even recognize the sound of forced entry, alerting you and the authorities to a possible intruder.
How to find the best smart home devices
Wondering about the best smart home devices on the market? As smart home technology is consistently evolving, it’s worth doing some research online when you’re ready to buy. “Best of” lists are always being updated and can offer deep insights into the devices available and how they may suit your individual needs.
Keep in mind one of the benefits of smart home technology is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire home at one time. You can start with a smart thermostat, for instance, and add lighting, security, speakers and more as time goes on. You can even turn existing devices into smart ones by plugging them into smart plugs and switches. This is a highly cost-effective way to make your home smarter!
Adopting smart devices can offer comfort, convenience, security and sustainability without significant investment or disruption to your current systems.
