Home improvement and smart technology have been close partners for several years. Today, it’s easier than ever to make your house more convenient by installing various bits and bobs of new-age home tech. But what often gets overlooked is that proper home automation can help lower your utility bills and give you back hours in your day.
With this list of 9 smart home automation ideas, you can improve the following areas of your home:
- Heating and cooling
- Living spaces
- Kitchen
- Home security
- Lawn
Yes, you will have to spend money on these devices, but you will be able to recoup those costs with ease, and you can’t put a price on feeling more secure in your own home.
Your Heating and Cooling Systems
If you want to save money, start by optimizing your air conditioner and heater for summer and winter temperatures. On average, cooling and heating your house takes up half of your utility bill, so increasing your HVAC’s efficiency will automatically help you use less energy and lower energy costs.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
Your smart home automation journey starts here. Not only will a smart thermostat improve how your HVAC system heats and cools your home, but it can also act as a central hub of your entire home’s automation. And depending upon the model you buy, the device can even learn your heating and cooling preferences so that it automatically adjusts based upon your habits and schedule.
Ultimately, you can achieve maximum heating and cooling effectiveness by running your HVAC system only when necessary. Doing so lowers usage and reduces long-term wear-and-tear on the appliances.
2. Program Your Thermostat Properly
No matter how fancy or basic your thermostat might be, if you don’t use it properly, you’re wasting money. By investing time now to program your thermostat for various real-life scenarios, you can save even more time later.
Common options include:
- Your daily work and school schedules
- Your waking-up and go-to-sleep times
- Your regular weekend activities
Any information you can give your thermostat about how you use energy will save you money in the long run.
In the Yard
Wait! How can you automate the lawn? It’s literally grass! Well, dear reader – we’re talking about the devices you use to care for your yard. Surprisingly, you have several options available to help you save money and time.
9. Install a Smart Sprinkler System
You’ve been able to program your sprinkler schedule for years. The difference with a smart system is they come with advanced in-ground sensors that help you truly understand what’s happening in your grass.
Based on available data it collects — which includes water saturation and weather predictions — the system can tell you whether or not you need to increase, decrease, or change your schedule. It can even cancel a day’s scheduled afternoon sprinkling because it knows it rained all morning and will probably rain the rest of the day.
By actively monitoring your water usage and making intelligent adjustments, your sprinkler can save you money on your water bills and future landscaping costs because improper watering won’t ruin your grass and greenery. Some smart systems will even activate if it notices your home is on fire because soaking your yard prevents the fire from spreading to other houses.
Home Automation Can Make a Difference
You don’t need to create a home straight out of The Jetsons to take advantage of cool home automation ideas around your house. You just need to pay attention to what you need and focus on improvements that can save you money. You might like that smart slow cooker that pings your app when it stops cooking after 6 hours, but you probably should start your smart home automation journey with practical lighting and temperature controls.
Sources:
- https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/maintenance-and-repair/repairing/home-automation-trends
- https://techkle.com/best-home-automation-ideas/
- https://integratedtechnologiesaustralia.com.au/resource-centre/20-of-the-best-home-automation-ideas
- https://www.otelco.com/resources/smart-home-guide/
- https://watchdogreviews.com/how-to-automate-your-home/
- https://smarthomesolver.com/reviews/30-home-automation-ideas/
- https://24-7-home-security.com/the-best-home-automation-ideas-on-the-web/
- https://modernliving101.com/home-automation-ideas/
- https://lazyadmin.nl/home-network/best-home-automation-ideas/
- https://www.control4.com/blog/345/78-home-automation-ideas/