©ArtistGNDphotography / Getty

As we find ourselves more deeply embedded in the digital age, it’s exciting to see how technology is reshaping the way we interact with our homes. As home efficiency and green living continue to trend upward, smart home features meet the demand homeowners seek. These five technology advancements make a home more convenient and more efficient, speaking loud and clear to those who want to optimize the comfort of their home while reducing their carbon footprint:

Smart Thermostats

Let’s start with one of the most-adopted components: the smart thermostat. This device is the peak of intuitive design, offering a level of control and efficiency that goes far beyond what we thought possible when central heat and air was invented. Smart thermostats adjust the temperature based on our daily habits, ensuring comfort while minimizing energy use.

Further, their remote control aspect means homeowners can access them from anywhere in the world. Savings on energy bills are often substantial, and the positive environmental impact is a win-win result.

Smart Lighting

The intelligence of our homes doesn’t stop at temperature control. Smart lighting gives homeowners power over ambiance and energy consumption. These systems, which use smartphone apps or voice commands, let homeowners easily adjust lighting to suit their mood, the time of day, or specific tasks. More importantly, they significantly reduce energy waste, as lights can be automatically turned off when no one is in the room. Plus, smart lighting systems often utilize LED bulbs, which consume far less energy than their traditional counterparts.

Smart Shades

These nifty installations offer a seamless blend of comfort, efficiency and style. Some automatically adjust throughout the day, tracking the sun to optimize natural light and heat gain in a room or home. Others have the option to set a timer to lower shades at specific times, which also helps keep a home at a comfortable and efficient temperature. These shades are particularly advantageous for hard-to-reach windows, since they can be controlled remotely.

Smart Irrigation

Efficiency in smart home tech isn’t important only inside the home. Smart irrigation systems ensure the yard gets the attention it needs. These systems are far superior to traditional sprinkler timers, taking into account real-time weather conditions to avoid unnecessary watering. Sensors that come with complete systems or that can be added to existing systems also reduce water use by watering based on plants’ needs rather than a set timer. These key features not only save a significant amount of water but also ensure optimal plant health.

Smart Energy Meters

Innovative products like the Sense energy monitor are the unsung heroes of home efficiency. These devices provide real-time insights into your home’s energy usage by monitoring electricity consumption at the appliance level. With this knowledge, homeowners can identify energy-hogging appliances or unusual power consumption patterns. These insights help homeowners make informed decisions about energy usage, leading to potentially significant savings and a smaller carbon footprint.

Investing in smart home technology isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a sustainable living environment that makes the most of our resources. The benefits are compelling: reduced energy consumption, cost savings, and enhanced comfort. The transition to smart home technology isn’t merely a trend. It’s a meaningful step toward sustainability, one that we as real estate professionals should not only be aware of, but actively promote to our clients.

Understanding these benefits and communicating them to your clients can provide a significant competitive edge. And for the homeowner, the advantages of smart home technology make the initial investment well worth it, adding not only to the value of the property but also to the quality of life within it.

©ExperienceInteriors / Getty

Smart technology is transforming our homes, and one of the most pervasive and practical examples of this is smart lighting. These systems have moved beyond the realm of a simple convenience, offering real estate professionals the opportunity to enhance property appeal, improve efficiency and foster a heightened sense of comfort and security for homeowners.

Types of Smart Lighting

Smart bulbs are individual lights you can control using your smartphone or a hub device. They range from simple dimmable options to RGB bulbs capable of producing millions of colors. Brands like Philips Hue, Lifx and Sengled are leading the industry with an array of bulbs that fit a wide variety of sockets, ensuring there’s an option for virtually any light fixture in a home.

An exciting addition to the smart lighting family is LED light strips. These flexible, adhesive-backed strips can be attached under cabinets, behind TVs or along baseboards, adding an aesthetic flair to any room. They offer the same connectivity and control features as smart bulbs, including dimming, color changing and even syncing to music. Popular options include the Philips Hue Lightstrip and the Lifx Z Strip, both of which are perfect for creating dramatic lighting effects or soft ambient glows. Their ability to be cut to length and mounted virtually anywhere opens up endless opportunities for creative illumination throughout a property.

Smart switches are another option, replacing standard light switches. They can control the existing, regular lightbulbs in your home, offering smart functionality without the need to replace every bulb. Brands like Lutron and Belkin Wemo offer high-quality smart switch options.

Switches vs. Bulbs

The choice between smart bulbs and switches often comes down to your specific needs and the infrastructure of your home.

Smart bulbs offer more functionality and flexibility. They can change color, dim to any brightness level, and even sync with music or TV. However, smart bulbs can be more expensive per unit than regular bulbs, especially when outfitting an entire home.

On the other hand, smart switches can be a cost-effective solution for smart lighting in large spaces or rooms with many bulbs. They can turn any bulb, smart or not, into a controllable light. However, smart switches require more complex installation, often by a professional.

Connectivity

Smart lighting relies on a network connection to function. Most systems use Wi-Fi, but some use Bluetooth or even a specialized hub.

Wi-Fi–enabled lights are usually easier to set up, but they rely on a stable internet connection. Bluetooth bulbs don’t require an internet connection, but their control range is limited. Hub-based solutions, like the Philips Hue, create their own mesh network, allowing for efficient control and excellent response times, but they add an extra cost and complexity to your setup.

Control

Smart lights can be controlled through various methods, including mobile apps, voice commands and even smart switches or remotes. Integration with AI assistants such as Alexa, Google Home or Siri is common and allows for voice-activated control—a powerful tool for accessibility and convenience.

Some systems also allow geofencing, which means lights automatically turn on or off based on your smartphone’s location. This can be a great way to ensure your lights are off when you’re not home, saving energy and cost, for example.

Benefits of Circadian Rhythm Lighting

One of the most exciting features of smart lighting is the ability to emulate natural lighting patterns, also known as circadian rhythm lighting. By adjusting the color temperature and intensity of the light throughout the day, these systems can help regulate our bodies’ internal clocks, improve sleep quality and boost our mood and productivity.

A host of research suggests that aligning lighting with our natural biological rhythms can have significant health benefits. A home equipped with smart lighting that supports this feature could be a strong selling point for health-conscious buyers.

Fun Automations

Smart lighting also allows for both fun and practical automations. For instance, you can create an “I’m home” scene that turns on specific lights when you arrive. Or set up a “movie night” scene that dims the lights and changes their color to provide the perfect ambiance. With a little creativity, the possibilities are nearly endless.

For a fun twist, integrate smart lights with other smart devices. For instance, lights can flash when your smart doorbell rings, or sync with your smart weather station and change color when it’s going to rain.

As we embrace the era of smart homes, the integration of smart lighting is an important consideration for real estate professionals. Not only does it increase the functionality and appeal of a property, but it also provides homeowners with energy efficiency, improved security and potential health benefits. Lighting is not just about visibility anymore. It’s about enhancing the quality of life, one bulb or switch at a time.

Adapting to this trend isn’t just about staying current. It’s about lighting the way toward a more sustainable, comfortable and convenient future in home living.

©onurdongel / istock Getty Images Plus

As the world continues to embrace technology, it is no surprise that smart kitchens are becoming more popular. These high-tech kitchens are equipped with gadgets and appliances that make cooking and food preparation a breeze. Not only do they make life easier, but they also add value to homes.

Smart Refrigerators

One of the most popular gadgets in a smart kitchen is a smart refrigerator. Smart refrigerators are designed to do much more than just keep food cold. They come equipped with touchscreens that allow you to access recipes, make grocery lists and even order groceries online. One great example of a smart refrigerator is the Samsung Family Hub. This fridge features a 21.5-inch touchscreen that allows you to control your connected home, stream music and even watch TV while you cook.

Smart Ovens

Smart ovens are another must-have gadget in a smart kitchen. Smart ovens are designed to help you cook your meals to perfection every time. They come with features like temperature probes that monitor the temperature of your food and alert you when it's done cooking. You can control the GE Profile Smart Oven from your smartphone, so you can preheat it, set the timer and monitor your food from anywhere.

Smart Coffee Makers

Smart coffee makers are also gaining popularity in smart kitchens. Use your smartphone to program the coffeemaker to make your coffee on demand, or schedule it to brew when you’re ready. The Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker gives you the option to brew a single cup or a full pot and has the ability to be programmed to brew your coffee at a specific time. Plus, it features a voice control option compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, so now, you can audibly request a pot of coffee to brew, and that’s what happens.

Smart Dishwashers

The smart dishwasher is a must-have and makes clean dishes a breeze. It won’t put them away fro you, but it’ll do just about everything else. Smart dishwashers come equipped with sensors that detect how dirty your dishes are and adjust the wash cycle accordingly. They also come with features like voice control and smartphone apps that allow you to start and stop the dishwasher from anywhere. The Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher is designed to be ultra-quiet and comes with a smartphone app that allows you to monitor the cycle and receive alerts when it's done.

Smaller Smart Kitchen Gadgets

A smart kitchen isn’t just limited to the large, main appliances, though. There are other gadgets that can make cooking and food preparation even easier. One such gadget is a smart faucet, like the Moen Smart Faucet, which can be controlled using voice commands or touchless technology. This allows you to control the water flow and temperature without ever touching the faucet handle. It can even dispense precise amounts of water, so you don’t need to use a measuring cup.

Another must-have appliance for the modern kitchen is the Instant Pot Pro Plus. This smart pressure cooker can cook a variety of dishes and comes with a range of features such as a delay start, keep-warm function, and a variety of pre-set cooking programs.

For those who love grilling, the Meater Plus Thermometer is a great addition to any smart kitchen. This wireless thermometer can be used to monitor the temperature of meat from anywhere, allowing you to cook it to perfection every time.

Lastly, the Cosari Pro II Air Fryer is a game-changer in the world of air fryers. With its smart features, this air fryer can cook food quickly and healthily, and can be controlled using your smartphone or through voice commands.

From smart refrigerators to air fryers, smart faucets to pressure cookers, wireless thermometers to coffee makers, these gadgets and appliances can make cooking and food preparation easier, more efficient and more enjoyable. If you're looking to upgrade your home, consider investing in these smart kitchen gadgets to make your life easier and impress your friends and family.

©elenabs / Getty Images Plus

It's an incredible time to be alive, especially if you’re into smart home technology. As a real estate professional and tech enthusiast, I’ve seen the rise of smart homes go from an abstract concept to an everyday reality. But as tech evolves, so does the question for homeowners and prospective buyers: When should we upgrade smart home devices?

Navigating the tech upgrade labyrinth doesn’t need to be complex or intimidating. It’s about understanding your needs, being aware of tech trends and making informed decisions.

When to Upgrade

First, not every device needs to be upgraded the moment a new model hits the shelves. Devices like smart thermostats, smart lights and even security systems often remain fully functional and useful for years. That said, knowing when to upgrade can ensure you’re not left behind by emerging trends and innovations. It’s also true that sometimes it’s just fun to upgrade.

One crucial indicator that it is time to update is when your device no longer supports software updates. Manufacturers often send out software updates and will often warn consumers when a device is no longer supported. When that happens, it is time to consider an upgrade. Without these updates, your device becomes more vulnerable to security risks and may lose compatibility with other devices in your home.

Another sign it’s time to trade in for a new model is when the device starts to lose functionality or efficiency. If your smart lock won’t lock from the app on your phone or your security camera’s video quality is degrading, an upgrade can enhance the effectiveness of the device and therefore your overall ecosystem.

Performance is also crucial. For example, if your smart speaker takes too long to respond or does not recognize commands, a newer model might offer a significant improvement.

What to Upgrade

Different smart devices have varying life spans and replacement needs. Here are a few key areas to focus on:

• Smart Hubs and Controllers: The brains of your smart home need to stay sharp. If your smart hub becomes obsolete or incompatible with newer devices, it might be time for an upgrade. The latest models offer more seamless integration, better performance and improved security features.
• Security Systems: Home security technology is rapidly advancing, and an outdated system can leave you vulnerable. New models of smart locks, doorbell cameras and security systems feature better encryption, higher-resolution cameras and more reliable alert systems.
• Smart Appliances: As technology evolves, the capabilities of smart appliances do too. A smart fridge, for instance, might only need replacing when it physically breaks down, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on new models. We choose smart features to enhance our lives or make them easier, and newer models will offer more advanced features like improved energy efficiency, personalized food management systems and AI-integrated cooking assistance.
• Smart Thermostats and Lighting: Although these devices have long lifespans, upgrading can offer benefits like energy savings and better integration with your other smart devices. Like appliances, you’ll want to look into new models occasionally to find whether the new features are worth the upgrade.

Budgeting for Upgrades

Not every upgrade needs to break the bank. Often, newer models come at a similar price point to their predecessors. To budget for upgrades, consider setting aside a certain amount each year for smart home improvements. Factor in the age of your devices, the cost of new models and the value they add to your home and lifestyle.

Also, remember to recycle or dispose of your old devices properly. Some manufacturers even offer trade-in programs, providing discounts on new models when you return your old device.

Staying Ahead of the Tech Curve

Being aware of technology trends can help you make informed decisions about when and what to upgrade. Here are a few tips:

1. Follow Tech News: Stay updated on the latest releases, updates, and recalls. Sites like CNET, TechCrunch and Wired frequently cover smart home trends and product reviews.
2. Join Online Communities: Platforms like YouTube, Reddit and various smart home forums are excellent resources for insights and reviews. They’re also spaces to start discussions about devices and get advice from real-world users.
3. Use Manufacturer Support: Don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer's customer support if you have questions about your device's lifespan or the benefits of upgrading. That’s what the support department is for!
4. Consult a Tech-Savvy Real Estate Professional: Industry professionals with a finger on the pulse of smart home trends can provide valuable advice about upgrading your tech and the impact on your home's value.

Navigating the world of smart home upgrades doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a little research and some savvy decision-making, you can ensure your smart home stays up to date, functional and secure. Remember it’s not about having the latest gadgets—it's about improving your lifestyle and adding value to your home.