Are you looking to spruce up your home? You may think that smart home technology is only something you can add in the future during a renovation.
However, there are many ways to incorporate it into your existing home with very little effort and without having to spend a lot of money. Whether you're looking to add convenience or want to get out of doing certain chores, there's an affordable smart home solution for you.
Why Add Smart Home Devices During a Renovation?
Smart home technology is a must-have for any homeowner who wants to stand apart from the crowd. A survey conducted by Houzz in 2021 shows that smart home renovation projects are on the rise. In fact, 19% of homeowners who have completed a renovation project in the past year have added smart home technology to their homes.
Larger upgrades often involve extensive custom design work, including hardwiring. However, it is best to upgrade when you are already renovating to cut down on cost and make sure that your home has all of the features needed for its new inhabitants.
Taking advantage of smart home technology during a renovation project will instantly upgrade the look and function of your house.
You should also consider working with a designer to plan smart home technology that truly integrates into the design of your house. In this way, you can make sure that it complements the overall aesthetic of your renovation project.
How Can You Get Started With Smart Home Technology?
With so many options available, it can be hard to know where to start. To get a better idea of what is possible, you will need to know the different types of smart home devices that would work well during a renovation project. Here are some of the best.
1. Smart Lighting
Installing smart lighting is a great way to add convenience and style to your home. You can control your lights from your smartphone or voice assistant, so you'll never have to worry about coming home to a dark house again.
Ditching dumb light bulbs for smart ones is also a great way to save money on your energy bill. Smart bulbs are more efficient than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs, so you'll see a lower bill each month.
By installing smart lights into your newly renovated space, you can create the seamless look that many homeowners are after with their interior design projects. Plus, they will definitely make an impact on the overall aesthetic of your house.
2. Smart Thermostats
A smart home renovation project isn't complete without a smart thermostat because they impact your house's comfort and energy efficiency.
You can save money on your energy bill each month by installing a smart thermostat because they help you keep your house at the perfect temperature.
Smart thermostats can also learn your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly. This means that you'll never have to come home to a hot or cold house again.
When you're out, it will automatically adjust the temperature settings to make sure your house doesn't waste energy while no one is there. You can also control your thermostat from a smartphone app or through different smart gadgets, like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
The smart thermostat benefits don't stop there. They can also improve the indoor air quality of your house by monitoring the temperature and humidity levels. This is especially important if you have allergies or asthma.
3. USB-C Wall Outlets
USB-C wall outlets are an excellent way to integrate smart home technology into your renovation. The best part? You can get the job done yourself if you're comfortable working with electrical components.
These outlets work like any other smart outlet by allowing you to control them from a smartphone app and schedule automation for times when your house is unoccupied. However, they also include one or more USB ports that provide safe and reliable power for charging electric devices like smartphones and tablets.
Adding USB-C wall outlets in your smart home project is the best way to future-proof your house. With more and more devices using USB-C for power, these outlets will become a necessity in the years to come.
4. Smart Security Systems
Smart security systems make it easy for homeowners to keep their house secure without investing in expensive installation costs or having someone on-call 24/7. They are especially popular among older homeowners who want to ensure their safety but don't want to rely on their grown children for help.
Smart security systems are designed to connect directly to your internet router. They can monitor doors, windows, and other points of entry and detect any changes in room temperature or light levels. The system will alert you when it detects anything abnormal so that you can quickly take action if needed.
The Google Home security system is a great example of how these systems can be integrated into your smart home. With this system, you can use voice commands to arm and disarm the alarm, as well as receive alerts on your smartphone if there's any activity in your house.
5. Smart Garage Doors
Garage doors are one of the most common points of entry into a home. Smart garage doors make it easy to keep them secure while still giving you full control over everything, from connecting your vehicles to beeping remotely if the door has been left open.
They also make it easier for homeowners to schedule times when they can arrive or depart without having to worry about someone accessing their house during those windows of time.
Smart home technology in garage doors is still in its early stages. However, there are already a few different smart garage door controllers on the market that offer homeowners a variety of features and benefits.
6. Automatic Blinds and Smart Textiles
The future smart home is all about automating the little things that make life easier. Automatic blinds and smart textiles are two things that can add a lot of convenience to your home.
Automatic blinds can be controlled with a smart home assistant or smartphone app, making it easy to adjust the lighting in your home. Smart textiles are fabrics that have
Smart textiles have the potential to be a game-changer in our daily lives. However, we're still just scratching the surface and exploring all of its possibilities, with automation becoming more embedded into homes every day.
They make it easy to customize the look and feel of your home while maintaining control over how much light comes in at certain times. One idea? Set them to close during specific day hours, so they block out light but allow people to wake up naturally if they prefer lighter spaces.
7. Smart Water Heaters
If you've been considering a new water heater, this might be a perfect time. Homeowners can now take advantage of modern technological advancements and enjoy peace of mind knowing that their investment will last longer with an internet-connected model.
The smart water heater provides remote access to temperature control from anywhere in the world, as well as watching for leaks or performance problems unnoticed before because they're not being watched closely by homeowners themselves.
Smart plumbing is the future of home improvement, and it starts with the water heater. Consider an upgrade to a unit that will save you money and give you a better quality of service for the years to come.
8. Electrochromic Smart Glass Windows
One of the biggest benefits of electrochromic glass windows is how they can lower energy consumption. Auto-tinting window film works by reacting to ambient light rather than traditional blinds, which suffer from air movement and temperature changes. They also give homeowners plenty of control over the intensity of light that comes through, whether they prefer complete darkness or something lighter for tasks like knitting or reading.
9. Smart Radiant Wall Heating Panels
Smart home products are designed to make our lives easier, and there's nothing more convenient than being able to control your home's temperature from your smartphone.
For homeowners who prefer a warmer home, radiant walls are the best way to go. Unlike forced-air heating systems like radiators, these panels evenly distribute heat throughout a room without forcing air. They're also easier on your skin and hair because they don't blow hot air directly onto you.
10. Smart Built-in Speakers
The best smart home devices are the ones that make your life easier and more enjoyable. That's why built-in speakers are such a great addition to any home.
Not only do they provide high-quality audio that can be controlled from your smartphone or smart home assistant, but they also blend seamlessly into your decor.
They connect wirelessly to your home network, making it easy to play different music in different rooms. Another benefit? Smart speakers can help control other devices in your home by voice command because they typically include microphones that allow you to issue commands directly.
Smart Home Tech Is the Wave of the Future
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, households are no different. The modern home is about more than just providing shelter. It's an experience that connects us to the world around us in new ways, unlocking a higher level of comfort and security.
Smart home tech is already on its way into homes around the world, with many people opting to take advantage of these convenient systems during their next renovation or remodel.