Today, one in five homes with a high-speed Internet connection has at least one smart device. Creating a smart home can save you time, lower your energy bills, and even make your home value soar. Contrary to popular belief, making your high-tech upgrades to your home doesn’t have to be challenging or expensive. Here are five affordable and user-friendly tech picks to make your home more tech-savvy.
Install Wireless Speakers
Wireless speakers and entertainment systems are a must-have for any tech-savvy household. Bluetooth sound systems are easy to install, and most speakers don’t require professional installation. Users can control speakers using a remote control or smartphone app from any room of the house. Most Bluetooth speakers are also portable, so you can take your sound system with you wherever you go.
Invest in a Smart TV
Smart TVs enhance your home video system and overall visual experience. Newer models come with a built-in Smart TV setting, so owning a high-tech video system is as simple as investing in a new TV set. Smart TVs make it easy to browse the Internet, watch Netflix, and search for new movies using your TV remote.
With voice assistance, Smart TVs also enable users to search for anything at any time using only their voice. Whether you want to find out this week’s weather forecast or play your favorite song, Smart TVs add unprecedented convenience to your daily routine.
Smart Photo Storage
Although the cloud has gained popularity as a photo storage device, monthly subscription fees can be costly. To save money, consider investing in a smart photo storage device like ibi. According to this review of ibi, ibi is like a “personal cloud for your photos and videos.”
Unlike the cloud, ibi doesn’t charge monthly subscription fees. Instead, ibi collects photos from social media, your phone, and the cloud and backs them up on a home storage device. With ibi, you’re in complete control of your photos and who you share them with.
Switch to LED lightbulbs
Switching to LED lightbulbs can lower your household energy bill while making your home more eco-friendly and tech-savvy. On average, LED lightbulbs consume 20 percent less energy and last 40 times longer than traditional lightbulbs.
To further cut down on your energy bill, install a smartphone app to control your lighting and find out exactly how much energy you’re using. Smartphone apps allow you to dim lightbulbs and turn lights on or off, regardless of whether you’re in a different room or a different city. You can also use the app to set timers for LED lights to ensure that they’ll always dim at bedtime.
Upgrade Your Home Security
Replace the latch of your deadbolt with a digital lock, and you’ll be able to control your security system from a smartphone app. Digital locks mean no more forgetting your keys at home or frantically searching your pockets when you’re locked out.
Many digital lock systems allow family members to create their own virtual key using the app, so you’ll be able to keep track of everyone’s comings and goings with ease. With the addition of a smart keypad, you’ll even be able to assign unique access codes to your babysitter or your dog walker.
Making these simple and affordable tech-savvy upgrades can increase the value of your home while reducing your household energy bill. To drive down your energy bill even more, compare energy plans with iSelect.
Creating a smart home can also make your daily routine more comfortable and convenient. Many tech upgrades are easy to install and even easier to use, making smart technology worth the investment.
