With new home tech rolling out everyday, which ones are actually worth it?
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Why Upgrade to Smart Home Technology?
With a new tech advertisement popping up in your feeds every other swipe, smart home technology is becoming increasingly more popular. Although they may seem like flashy, gimmicky toys on the surface, some actually provide genuine value to your homes, whether it be security, energy efficiency, or overall home value. Not to mention, many are designed to make your at-home life 10x more convenient and your home environment safer.
However, with a plethora of smart home devices available in the market, choosing the right upgrades can be daunting. From smart thermostats to advanced security systems, each option offers unique benefits. And to be honest, some are outrageously overpriced for the little value they provide.
But which smart home upgrades are truly worth investing in? Which ones offer the best balance between cost, convenience, and long-term value? In this blog, we’ll unpack which smart home upgrades deserve some real estate in our homes.
Top Smart Home Upgrades
We’ve handpicked 5 different smart home upgrades that are worth the investment and will either boost your home’s functionality, energy efficiency, marketability, and make your life easier.
Smart Thermostats
According to Energy Star, “The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half going to heating and cooling.” Need an answer to reduce your energy bills? Look no further than smart thermostats. They’re among the best smart home upgrades for enhancing energy efficiency. These devices learn your temperature preferences and adjust the heating and cooling systems accordingly, ensuring optimal comfort while reducing energy usage.
Plus, some smart thermostats allow you to control it from an app on your smartphone. Want to change your home temperature without getting up from your couch? Cool down from your smartphone. Forgot to turn off the AC before leaving the house? Hit the off switch straight from your phone.
Most importantly, smart thermostats are considered valuable smart home upgrades that increase home value, making them a wise investment for energy-conscious homeowners.
Smart Security Systems
We can’t talk about cost-effective smart home upgrades without talking about smart security systems. Security systems can reduce your homeowner’s insurance by up to 20%, according to MillenniumM Fire. Crazy, right? For those concerned about safety, installing smart security systems is one of the best smart home upgrades to protect your family and guests. The do-it-yourself aspect can make it very appealing for you if you want to choose the tech and specs that best suit your needs, without having a 3rd party monitor your home for you.
These systems provide real-time alerts and video surveillance that can be monitored from anywhere in the world, offering peace of mind whether you're at home or away. Besides enhancing security, these systems can also increase the overall marketability of your home. Incorporating smart security systems during a home remodel can significantly boost your property's appeal to potential buyers, showcasing both modernity and functionality.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting systems are not only convenient but also cost-effective, making them a top choice for affordable smart home upgrades. Smart lighting systems can save anywhere from 35% up to 70% on your energy bill. If you’re looking for a way to save money on electricity without forking over thousands of dollars on solar panels, smart lighting is a perfect affordable alternative.
These systems allow homeowners to control lighting remotely, set schedules, and even adjust lighting based on natural light levels, all of which save you money and enhance the security of your home. It’s also an excellent way to improve the ambiance of your home, with some systems offering a comprehensive spectrum of different hues, allowing you to set the mood of your home with cool colors. It's no surprise that smart lighting is considered one of the smart home upgrades that increase home value.
Smart Locks
Gone are the days of guessing who’s at your door, friend or foe. With your neighbors, in-laws, and friends all using smart locks, they seem to be taking the world by storm. And rightfully so - Smart locks offer a blend of security and convenience that traditional locks can’t match.
These devices allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely, grant temporary access to visitors, and receive alerts about who is entering your home. Some locks even have a camera attached to them, allowing you to see who’s coming to your door before they even knock. Smart locks eliminate the worry of lost keys and the inconvenience of locking yourself out. More importantly, as one of the affordable smart home upgrades, they directly improve the security of your home.
Smart Speakers and Assistants
Diving into one of the more “fun” upgrades, we have smart speakers and assistants. Integrating a handy dandy voice control system into your home provides a central control hub for all other smart devices. These assistants can manage everything from your entertainment system to your thermostat, and all of the tools we listed earlier!
Products like the Amazon “Echo Dot” tie all of your tech-y home gadgets together to make everyday tasks simpler and your home more efficient. Just say a few words to your kitchen counter and huzzah! Your T.V.’s broadcasting the football game, your lights are dimmed, and your living room is warmed up to combat the winter chills. Smart speakers are not only insanely convenient, but also affordable smart home upgrades that will immediately add positive value to your home.
Upgrades to Avoid
While investing in smart home technology can significantly enhance your home's security and value, it's important to be selective to ensure that your investments yield only the best returns. Here are three smart home upgrades that might not be worth the investment due to their high cost, limited utility, or lack of mainstream appeal…
Smart Refrigerators
Smart refrigerators come with a range of high-tech features, such as touchscreen interfaces, internet connectivity, and internal cameras so you can see inside without opening the door. Convenient? Yes. But… These features come at a premium cost and often offer you more novelty than utility.
The maintenance and potential need for frequent updates can make them more annoying for you in the long run. Considering their high initial cost and limited impact on daily efficiency or home resale value, smart refrigerators are often seen as an unnecessary luxury rather than a beneficial home improvement. You’re better off investing in better food than a fancy fridge.
Smart Windows
Smart windows, equipped with technologies like automatic tinting or built-in blinds, offer you a futuristic appeal but can be extraordinarily expensive to install and maintain. While they provide enhanced comfort and energy efficiency, the cost-to-benefit ratio is not favorable for most homeowners.
The technology is also not widely recognized as a value-add feature in real estate markets, making it a less attractive option for those looking to increase their home’s marketability and value. If you are in the market for new windows, you’re probably better off picking energy-efficient models that actually add home value.
High-Tech Toilets
High-tech toilets with features such as bidet functions, seat warmers, and automated lids can offer a luxurious, tip top bathroom experience but are typically not essential. The cost of these toilets is significantly higher than standard models, and they require more complicated installations and maintenance.
Additionally, high-tech toilets don’t universally appeal to all potential homebuyers, which could limit your home's appeal on the market. Given their high cost and specialized appeal, these toilets are generally considered an over-investment for those looking to improve home value. If you were thinking about investing in these for your well-being, there are more affordable ways to clean your behind (and this definitely isn’t one of them).
How to Choose the Right Smart Home Technology
When upgrading your home with smart technology, it’s important that you focus on improvements that provide practical benefits that you actually care about. While certain high-tech installations like smart refrigerators, smart windows, and high-tech toilets may seem appealing, they often don’t provide the cost-effective benefits necessary to justify their high costs. Instead, opting for more useful smart home upgrades can ensure that your hard earned cash actually improves both your quality of life and your home's market value.
Choosing the right smart home technology involves considering your specific needs, budget, and priorities. It's crucial you select devices that integrate seamlessly with each other so that you don’t need to download 4 different apps to control everything. At Design & Build Remodelers, we specialize not only in home remodeling but also in integrating smart devices into your home remodeling projects.
Book a consultation with us today, and let us install these smart home upgrades so you can sit back and have it all taken care of! Click here to check out our remodeling services.
Future-Proof Your Home
By integrating smart home technology, you not only make your everyday life easier but also enhance the marketability of your home if you decide to sell in the future. Upgrading your home with smart technology is an investment in convenience, security, and a cheaper energy bill! Contact Design & Build Remodelers today to discover how our home remodeling and smart technology integration services can transform your living space into a modern, efficient, and highly functional home.
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