The concept of the smart home started small with features like Wi-Fi-controlled lightbulbs and programmable thermostats. The smart home has since taken off with so many connected devices that you could run nearly every electronic item in the home from afar. There are kitchen gadgets that teach you to cook and doorbells that speak to visitors. With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to begin when upgrading your devices. Here are some top features to get you started.

Learning Thermostat

Thermostat

Image by danlefeb free to use under Unsplash

Many smart thermostats are genius learning devices that can track your habits and make minute adjustments to minimize your energy use without impacting your home comfort. Your thermostat can warm up the house just before you get out of bed on chilly mornings, or make sure it’s cool and comfortable when you walk in the door after a long day working outside. This device is not only convenient, but it’s also eco-friendly, offering numerous ways for you to cut back on your heating and cooling bills comfortably.

Video Doorbell

A smart video doorbell offers safety, security, and convenience. You can see who’s at your door via a smartphone app, so you’re always aware of visitors, even when you’re not home. With a built-in speaker and microphone, the doorbell can even facilitate two-way conversation. You can tell the delivery person where to put your box or let your friend know that you’re on the way home. Whether you’re just checking to see whether you want to come to the door, or having your smart device stand in when you’re away, you’ll find this a valuable installation.

Smart Lock

Smart locks integrate seamlessly with compatible smart doorbells, boosting their functionality. However, a smart lock also offers ample perks on its own. With a smart lock, you can control access to your home at all times. This means you can unlock the door momentarily for a service professional, or let your kids in when they get home from school. This device will also save you plenty of worry by allowing you to always check and make sure you’ve locked up.

Smart Lightbulbs

The most obvious convenience of smart lightbulbs is the ability to control them from afar. You can turn off forgotten lights without getting out of bed, or turn the lights on in the morning even when you can’t reach them. You can also program light settings so your bulbs turn on as your alarm is going off or start to dim before you go to bed. Most bulbs today can also go above and beyond with different color settings and dimness options. Some even play music!

Security Cameras

Water-resistant security cameras give you a constant view around your home no matter where you are. Investigate that sound outside the window while you’re in bed or set up alerts for motion in the backyard at night. Indoors, security cameras let you keep eyes on your pets and kids for peace of mind while you’re away.

Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip

Smart power strips help you manage energy use constantly. These strips can cut off energy to devices that would otherwise act as power-sucking “vampires” and offer surge protection in a storm. Some even monitor energy usage, so you know just where your utility bills are going.

Smart Kitchen Appliances

Create a genius kitchen with an array of smart appliances that respond to remote commands. The Anova Precision Oven offers an integrated temperature probe so you can check doneness without getting up. A smart fridge can alert you when temperatures drop while the Thermomix can measure, chop, blend, and even suggest recipes. 

As you’re designing your dream kitchen, keep these features in mind so you can leave the right amount of space for the installations you want most. A smart kitchen truly serves you.

Smart Smoke Detectors

A smart smoke detector alerts you to potential dangers in your home even when you’re away. This means you’ll always know of smoke or fire via your smartphone, whether you’re at home or on vacation. This delivers the ultimate peace of mind and helps you respond as quickly as possible if there is ever an emergency.

Smart Garage Door Opener

Your garage door is an essential access point for your home. It’s important for you to have an easy way to get in while still keeping the door safe and secure from others. With a smart garage hub, you can check the status of your garage from your phone and quickly close it if someone accidentally leaves it open. This installation also allows you to open the garage from afar, which may stand in for some of the functionality of a smart lock if you’re choosing just one of the two devices.

Smart Home Hub

With so many devices in one home, you’re sure to want a convenient way to manage them. While you can certainly keep a separate app on your phone for each and every smart installation, it’s much easier to let your smart hub do it for you. Smart hubs come in many forms such as the Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod. 

A hub can typically integrate with all (or at least many) of the other smart devices in your home, offering a new level of controllability. Instead of using the app on your phone to turn on the lights, you can simply tell Alexa or Google Assistant to do it. Most hubs also offer a wealth of other features like the ability to play music through your subscription services, search for information online, report on the weather, or check on the status of packages you’ve ordered. The hub can serve as a do-it-all home assistant for a wide variety of needs in your home.

Take your new house from Steiner Homes to the next level with these types of smart integrations. Once you’ve built your custom home, you’ll know exactly what to add and where you want these handy smart home features to help you make the most of your beautiful new living space.