While many feel that smart technology for your home is still in its infancy, these gadgets can save you time and money right now.
1. Energy Monitoring Device
The energy monitoring device from CURB Energy gives you real-time energy consumption data for your whole house. Use it to figure out where you can lower your energy consumption and save money.
2. Ecobee3 Thermostat with Sensor, Wi-Fi, 2nd Generation, Works with Amazon Alexa
This device, which has voice control with Amazon Alexa, reduces your energy consumption in many ways. First, based on your home’s unique energy profile, the weather outside, and thousands of other data points, this gadget knows when to turn on your heating or cooling equipment.
Second, this gadget senses when people are home and when they are not. Also, it saves energy and adjusts the temperature to match their lifestyle.
Third, ecobee® cools or heats the room you are in, not the room where the device is located.
With an average of 23% annual savings in energy bills for homeowners, this device pays very quickly for itself in savings.
3. Sonos® Wireless Speaker system
Wireless speakers and Bluetooth® technology are now familiar to most of us. The Sonos® system goes a little further. You can play different music in different rooms, link speakers together, or add them to your home theater for surround sound. This system works with music services like Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music and more.
4. Philips Somneo® Sunrise Wake Up and Sleep Therapy Light with Sunrise Alarm and Sunset Fading Night Light
These light bulbs, if you can still call them that, are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google Assistant. You can turn the lights on and off and change the hue from wherever you are, so you never come home to a dark house. The system lets you reliably control up to 50 Hue lights without slowing your Wi-Fi.
Other similar products include a light therapy lamp and sunrise alarm clock, which has been clinically proven to improve your energy, sleep and well-being. Waking up to a naturally colored sunrise makes you more awake and ends you sleep cycles peacefully.
5. Automated Sprinklers:
Automated lawn sprinklers have been around for years, but adding an internet connection can raise the standard automated sprinkler system to the next level. For most people with an in-ground sprinkler system, a smart controller will save water compared to the basic timer. Various smart sprinklers can respond to real-time weather conditions, implement customizable watering schedules, and give you control of your sprinkler system from anywhere in the world via an app on your smartphone. Several companies are marketing these products, including Rachio, RainMachine Touch, and Skydrop Smart Watering.
6. Pet Feeders:
Ever worry about your pet when you are running late? Or have you remembered Spot’s food and water for the day only after you have run out the door? So-called ‘smart pet feeders’ may be the answer to your dilemma. These handy devices can give the exact portion of food that you select at the time you determine. With Wi-Fi, some even provide webcams and speakers to stay in contact with your furry friend. Several companies are marketing these products, including Petnet SmartFeeder, Hoison SmartFeeder, and Feed and Go Smart Feeder.
