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3 Good Reasons to Make Smart Home Tech Part of Your Remodel
A smart home system can make your house and your life safer, simpler and more comfortable
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Remodels are an exciting undertaking, offering you a chance to transform the look and functionality of your home. Smart home technology is increasingly becoming part of that equation. “A remodel is the best time to add smart home tech,” says Matthew Mahar, vice president of consumer experience and design at Vivint Smart Home. “You’re going to be deciding what you want each room in your home to do.” Read on for the top three benefits of smart home technology and how to make installation fuss-free.
1. Security
It’s human nature to want to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. “Security and peace of mind were the main drivers behind creating smart home technology in the first place,” Mahar says. “People want to prevent crime from happening at home.” Smart home technology gives you awareness and control, so you always know what’s happening in and around your house.
Keep watch. Smart cameras can alert you to motion around your home, letting you see live video via a smartphone app. Set up a whole-home security system to receive alerts (and sound an alarm) if door or window sensors or glass-break detectors are triggered.
Personalize your security preferences for further peace of mind. “Create custom rules around the opening of doors, windows and garage doors, and decide when you want notifications,” Mahar says. For instance, receive an alert if a door is opened after midnight.
It’s human nature to want to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. “Security and peace of mind were the main drivers behind creating smart home technology in the first place,” Mahar says. “People want to prevent crime from happening at home.” Smart home technology gives you awareness and control, so you always know what’s happening in and around your house.
Keep watch. Smart cameras can alert you to motion around your home, letting you see live video via a smartphone app. Set up a whole-home security system to receive alerts (and sound an alarm) if door or window sensors or glass-break detectors are triggered.
Personalize your security preferences for further peace of mind. “Create custom rules around the opening of doors, windows and garage doors, and decide when you want notifications,” Mahar says. For instance, receive an alert if a door is opened after midnight.
2. Convenience
Between kids, work and somehow fitting in “me” time, life is busy. While humans can’t be everywhere at once (yet), you can use smart home technology to make life easier. “It’s about saving people time, money and [mental and physical] energy,” Mahar says. “It allows you to spend more time on something that enriches your life.”
If you’re expecting a package, for instance, a doorbell camera can notify you when it arrives. “Some can notice motion about 10 feet from your door, prompting you before someone pushes your doorbell,” Mahar says. A person can speak to you via the doorbell camera and you can respond and see the visitor via your app. Give directions — and unlock your door if you have a smart lock — to ensure a streamlined delivery from afar.
Between kids, work and somehow fitting in “me” time, life is busy. While humans can’t be everywhere at once (yet), you can use smart home technology to make life easier. “It’s about saving people time, money and [mental and physical] energy,” Mahar says. “It allows you to spend more time on something that enriches your life.”
If you’re expecting a package, for instance, a doorbell camera can notify you when it arrives. “Some can notice motion about 10 feet from your door, prompting you before someone pushes your doorbell,” Mahar says. A person can speak to you via the doorbell camera and you can respond and see the visitor via your app. Give directions — and unlock your door if you have a smart lock — to ensure a streamlined delivery from afar.
Unlock more benefits. Some smart locks, such as the one seen here, have a key code pad. Ideal for neighbors or long-term guests, it’s also handy if you’ve misplaced your keys. Smart locks can be a sanity saver too, letting you check and lock them from your smartphone.
Teach your system your preferences to make things even simpler. “When I leave my house, the system realizes I’m gone, secures everything and tells me that it’s done,” Mahar says. “I don’t have to sweat about running back and checking things are locked.”
Teach your system your preferences to make things even simpler. “When I leave my house, the system realizes I’m gone, secures everything and tells me that it’s done,” Mahar says. “I don’t have to sweat about running back and checking things are locked.”
3. Comfort
Night after night, you can drift off in a 65-degree bedroom without lifting a finger. Teach a smart thermostat your routines so it keeps your home comfortable 24/7. It can also adjust the temperature when it detects someone’s home unexpectedly, alerting you to the change. Most can be controlled from a smartphone app or by using your voice. A smart home system can also learn your lighting preferences. “The tone lighting sets in a home can affect your comfort,” Mahar says.
Smart savings. The ability to control your temperature and lights doesn’t just benefit your comfort level — it can also save you money. “Savings range from 8 to 10 percent off your monthly energy bill,” Mahar says. “It can be much more aggressive if you customize it.” After install, a full smart home system can cost well below $100 a month — less than an average cellphone bill — he adds.
Night after night, you can drift off in a 65-degree bedroom without lifting a finger. Teach a smart thermostat your routines so it keeps your home comfortable 24/7. It can also adjust the temperature when it detects someone’s home unexpectedly, alerting you to the change. Most can be controlled from a smartphone app or by using your voice. A smart home system can also learn your lighting preferences. “The tone lighting sets in a home can affect your comfort,” Mahar says.
Smart savings. The ability to control your temperature and lights doesn’t just benefit your comfort level — it can also save you money. “Savings range from 8 to 10 percent off your monthly energy bill,” Mahar says. “It can be much more aggressive if you customize it.” After install, a full smart home system can cost well below $100 a month — less than an average cellphone bill — he adds.
Getting Set Up
While DIY options are available, many homeowners opt for a professional install — allowing them to focus on the rest of their remodel. Smart home companies often have technicians who’ll take care of everything. Either way, choose an easy-to-use system and take advantage of customer support. “If you take the time during the planning phases to get it right, the value multiplies,” Mahar says. If you want to start small and then upgrade, he recommends buying the next devices from within the same system to make setup easy.
If you’re ready to channel your inner Jetson and embrace home automation, get started by brainstorming your ideal smart home experience.
More: To learn more about Vivint Smart Home and set up a free consultation, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
While DIY options are available, many homeowners opt for a professional install — allowing them to focus on the rest of their remodel. Smart home companies often have technicians who’ll take care of everything. Either way, choose an easy-to-use system and take advantage of customer support. “If you take the time during the planning phases to get it right, the value multiplies,” Mahar says. If you want to start small and then upgrade, he recommends buying the next devices from within the same system to make setup easy.
If you’re ready to channel your inner Jetson and embrace home automation, get started by brainstorming your ideal smart home experience.
More: To learn more about Vivint Smart Home and set up a free consultation, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
As a leading smart home technology provider, Vivint Smart Home offers home security, energy management, home... Leer más
As a leading smart home technology provider, Vivint Smart Home offers home security, energy management, home... Leer más