Moving into a new house is always an exciting experience because it gives you an opportunity to think of ways you can improve the look, functionality and efficiency of your household. To make the most of your new home, you should strongly consider upgrading your appliances and home devices to ensure compatibility with smart home automation systems. If you really want to make your home a smarter place to live in, consider upgrading to the following devices and appliances.
Home Security Kits
The advantage of modern security systems is not limited to their ability to connect to Wi-Fi and cloud networks; an additional benefit is that some manufacturers offer kits that homeowners can easily install on their own. Starter home security kits are essentially smart home automation hubs with firmware and installation wizards that connect to wireless networks and add a layer of security for other devices to connect. Once you configure one of these kits, you will be ready to add surveillance cameras, smoke detectors, motion sensors, alarms, and smart locks.
Smart Thermostats
Many of the thermostats available today feature built-in Wi-Fi networking, which means that you can control them directly from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. With these thermostats, you can also monitor and control your HVAC system from a remote location, but the best feature of these devices is that they are highly rated for the energy efficiency situations they create for homeowners. Some of the more advanced versions feature systems that allow them to “wake-up”, or turn on, when you walk by them. They can also learn your routines and, over time, begin to automatically adjust based on the changes you normally make during the day.
Water Softener Systems
If you live in an area where rainwater is known to accumulate minerals such as magnesium and calcium, you will probably run into hard water issues in your new home. If you notice hard water leaving scale buildup in your sinks, shower area and bathtub, you should think about installing a water softener from a company like Anderson Water Systems or a similar business. Modern systems are often equipped with sensors and internet connectivity that allows you to use your smartphone to remotely monitor not just sodium levels but also water usage in general.
Home Theater Systems
If you have a flat screen television, you should consider setting aside one weekend to work on a home theater project. Start by mounting the screen to the wall with its original brackets; the next step involves arranging the home theater furniture and shopping for a surround speaker system as well as a stream casting device. You will also have to mount a couple of speakers and configure the streaming device to work with your Wi-Fi network and mobile devices.
In the end, the items listed here are just some of the many that you can add to your smart home network. Once you become more familiar with these devices, you will probably start evaluating new ones to add.