Essential Guide to Smart Home Technology
By William Thompson, NJ Realtors® Director of Technology
Embracing smart home technology is no longer just a futuristic idea—it’s a practical, everyday reality that can enhance the comfort, security, and efficiency of your living space. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, understanding these technologies is crucial for making informed decisions about your investment. Dive into the world of smart home tech and discover how these innovations can transform your daily life and add value to your property.
Smart Speakers
A smart speaker does much more than just play music; it acts as the command center for all your other smart devices, allowing you to control your home with just your voice. Choosing the right smart speaker is an essential first step, as it determines which ecosystem your smart home will use. The three most popular ecosystems today are Amazon Echo, Google Nest, and Apple Home. While the goal is to have all smart devices interoperable in the future, currently, you’ll need to ensure any smart device you purchase is compatible with your chosen ecosystem. Place a smart speaker in the most trafficked areas of your home, and for maximum coverage, consider having one in every room. This setup offers you smart control from anywhere and a whole-home audio experience.
Smart Lighting
We’ve all experienced the inconvenience of having to get out of bed to turn off the lights, which is why smart lighting was one of the first categories in smart home technology. Over the years, it has received significant upgrades. One of the simplest and most popular options is the smart plug. Plug the smart plug, like the Kasa Smart Plug or Wemo Smart Plug, into any outlet, plug a lamp into the smart device, and you can control it from your phone.
A step up from this is the smart lightbulb. Replace any standard light bulb with a smart lightbulb, like the Philips Hue Smart Bulb, and you can control brightness and color. For even more seamless integration, consider smart light switches. Switches like the Lutron Caséta series replace standard light switches on your wall, giving you smart functionality while maintaining manual operation for anyone in the home.
Smart light switches come in the same variants as typical light switches—simple on/off, three-way, dimmer, and even ceiling fan—allowing whole-home smart control with no learning curve for your guests.
Smart Appliances
From toasters to refrigerators, nearly every appliance in the home has a smart version. This category, above all others, requires careful research to weigh the cost versus benefit. Appliances are expensive and don’t get replaced as often as lightbulbs, so you’ll want to be very sure before investing in a smart appliance. However, some offer conveniences previously unavailable. How would you like a notification—or even a reminder—about your laundry being done?
What about a digital shopping list on the front of your refrigerator that syncs to your phone? The options around your house are endless. However, one of the most beneficial smart appliances is the smart thermostat, such as Google’s Nest Thermostat or ecobee’s Smart Thermostat. Smart thermostats offer numerous benefits to keep you comfortable and save you money, including advanced scheduling, energy-efficient home/away controls, and easy remote control.
Smart Security
Many people have seen the benefits of a smart doorbell like the Ring Video Doorbell or Eufy Security’s Doorbell, which allows you to see and communicate with visitors whether or not you’re home. But smart home security goes beyond that. Replace your deadbolt with a smart lock such as the Schlage Encode series or August Home smart lock, and you can unlock your front door hands-free, auto-lock behind you, and even share a temporary key with guests.
Add security cameras and motion detectors like Amazon’s Blink or Google’s Nest Cam, and you can keep tabs on your home when you’re away.
Motion detectors offer the added bonus of helpful automation opportunities, such as turning on lights as you approach the door or starting the coffee maker as you enter the hall.
Smart home devices are becoming integral to modern living, offering new levels of convenience, security, and efficiency. If you’re selling your home, it’s essential to resolve questions about which smart devices are included in the sale and develop a clear plan for transferring account ownership. If you’re buying, ensure you understand how these devices work and confirm which ones are included in your purchase. By staying informed, you can enhance your lifestyle and avoid any surprises during the final walk-through.
