As smart technology becomes increasingly accessible and affordable, it is slowly becoming a regular occurrence in the average modern home. Smart home technology, much like smartphone technology, is much more than a fad—it’s a trend that’s here to stay. With this in mind, we present you with six smart home technology upgrades that will make your life easier.

1. Smart Door Locks

Vehicle keys that activate ignition without inserting the actual key have been around for a while now, and a similar idea is now very much applicable to homes. The smart door locks are WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled devices that automatically detect when you arrive home (via your smartphone), unlocking the door as soon as you are at the front porch. Another awesome feature of these pieces of smart home technology is the ability to allow access to selected guests (family members, friends, and whoever needs temporary or permanent access to your home). Smart door locks relieve you of a ton of headaches; no longer do you have to juggle the paper bags, trying to dig out the key from your pocket or purse; no longer do you have to rush back home in order to allow your guests in; make them feel truly at home by giving them access before you arrive.

2. Smart Smoke Detectors

Yes, smoke detectors are a lifesaving piece of technology that has been around for decades now, but these devices do have a tendency to be, well, dumb. Many people who are annoyed with their smoke detectors flaring up every time they fry up some bacon tend to disable their units, which immediately puts the lives of everyone living under the same roof in danger. The modern, smart home detectors not only monitor smoke but also the general air quality, including carbon dioxide. They also send an alert to your tablet or smartphone if anything smells fishy. The smart smoke detectors are literal lifesavers.

3. Smart Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are far from a fresh home upgrade; they’ve been around at least since the 1950s. The problem with these, however, has always been their complexity; they are definitely not easy to figure out and are extremely difficult to use. The modern thermostat is much more user-friendly—they take all of the guesswork out of the process! In fact, they can even sense whether you’re away or at home and adjust the temperature accordingly, which brings a ton of energy (and money) savings to the table.

4. Smart Ovens

You may wonder what it is that could make an oven ‘smart’. Well, for instance, the M-Touch from a German kitchen and laundry appliance manufacturer Miele allows you to select a variety of operating modes for your oven! Many other unique features are included, some of which increase humidity to prevent your meals from drying for awesome cooking results! and Aqualogic is also a commercial supplier of washing machines & industrial laundry equipment around Australia

5. Smart Lighting

You might not be aware of it, but lighting takes quite a toll on your bill and on the environment. Now, smart lighting systems do not only pay off in the long run and are green, but they are much more comfortable and convenient than your regular ones.

For instance, smart lighting sensors and dinner systems allow you to control your lighting via your smartphone and can be programmed to switch off automatically whenever everybody leaves the premises. The smart lighting applies to the exterior part of your home, too! Various motion detector systems will make your backyard much safer. The best part: you can install one on your own!

6. Smart Lightbulbs

LEDs and CFLs may be a pricier choice when compared to your typical incandescent bulbs, but these definitely pay off in the long run, as they boast a longer life. Furthermore, lighting quality-wise, both the LEDs and CFLs offer much better illumination that’s as close as possible to daylight. This is definitely the smallest smart home upgrade investment that you can make, so why not give it a go? We guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

These six smart home technology upgrades will make you feel more comfortable in your home while helping you achieve a better ROI on your purchases. Individually, these might not be too big of a deal, but when combined, they will truly turn your place of residence into a smart home.

     INFOGRAPHIC