Having a smart home isn’t a necessity. It’s an investment. We use these guidelines before spending time, money and energy on new technology:
Save Money
While not every product can justify its price, many solutions available today can actually pay for themselves and even save you money in the long run. From smart thermostats to LED lightbulbs, spending a little today can pay dividends later and reduce your environmental impact.
Reduce Friction
Any product that eliminates an annoyance, or makes your day a little easier. Simplify common tasks without added extra steps in the process.
Increase Security
Smart locks, motion detectors and cameras are a good step in that directions. Look for products with increased functionality paired with common sense security. Smart locks must contain strong bolts, cameras must be encrypted, etc.
Avoid Obsolescence
The smart home market is still in its “wild west” phase. Look for products that play nice with others. The last thing you want to do is invest in a product or system that is no longer supported a year from now.
Build Something Cool
A smart home is compelling. Who doesn’t want to lock doors with your voice, have lights sync to music or get cell phone alerts during an attempted break-in?
After decades of science fiction, the smart home is finally in reach!
These are our to picks for a smart home:
