You hear the term “smart home” used all the time these days, but what exactly does it mean? It’s a good question, as smart home technology has been evolving for well over a decade. The smart home industry got started around 2010 when the first Nest thermostat arrived on the market. From there, it really took off, as all types of interconnected devices began to get in on the action, from doorbells to refrigerators. In fact, the latest smart home statistics show that as many as 60 million households in the United States actively use smart home technology. Here are just a few of the most popular smart home devices in America today:
Smart Lighting makes a lot of sense. According to smart home statistics, lighting accounts for around 15% of the electrical use of your average household, and smart lighting can help homeowners save an average of $225 per year. Of course, smart lighting does a whole lot more than that. It also allows users to control just about every aspect of their home lighting, from the brightness and color of the lights to the times of day when lights come on and go off. Homeowners can even control the lights remotely. This is not only convenient and efficient; it can also help with security.
Smart Thermostats such as the Nest Learning Thermostat were among the first smart home devices to hit the market, and they remain something of a gold standard. They reduce energy consumption by learning your family’s habits and making adjustments accordingly, and they also allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely. Who doesn’t want to be able to turn up the heat at home when you leave the office on a cold winter day?
Smart Home Security Systems are growing in popularity every day, and you can choose from a wide range of devices. While Ring doorbells are among the most popular, you’ll also find smart cameras, smart locks, alarms systems, and much more. Often, smart home security systems include the usual security features such as glass-break sensors, motion detectors, and sirens, all monitorable from your smartphone or other remote device. Believe it or not, they can also reduce home insurance rates by as much as 20%.
Smart Speakers include a variety of digital assistants such as Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and others, often housed in products such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod. Sure, they can play music, but they are also a voice-activated central hub for many of your home’s other smart devices, and they can do everything from answering questions to dimming the lights, starting the oven, locking the door, or whatever else your smart home is equipped to do.
At Sandbrock Ranch, our premier home builders know the important role that smart home technology is playing in many lives, and the many top-of-the-line homes at Sandbrock Ranch are built with these advances in mind so they’re ready to incorporate the latest smart home technology to make your life easier, more convenient, and safer every day.
