Smart Devices for Your Home
Gone are the days of bumbling around for the remote, futzing with confusing wiring or relying on basic fixtures and appliances in your home. Smart devices have opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to customizing and controlling every aspect of your living space. From dimmable lighting to automated blinds, smart devices offer convenience, efficiency and flexibility that appeal to both homeowners and interior decorators alike— allowing you to design exactly what you want from the comfort of your own home. Ready to take your interior into the 21st century with our top 5 favourite, simple devices? Read on as we explore some amazing smart device upgrades for any home.
1. Smart Thermostats
Ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat. The ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat is a more affordable version of the popular ecobee3. It still delivers the same great features, such as saving up to 23% annually on heating and cooling costs, controlling your thermostat from anywhere using your Android or iOS device, and adding SmartSensors to manage hot or cold spots and deliver enhanced comfort to the rooms that matter most. The ecobee3 lite also automatically pauses your heating or cooling when a door or window is left open.
The ecobee3 lite is compatible with most 24VAC HVAC equipment, including conventional furnaces and air conditioners (2H/2C), heat pumps (2H/2C + 2 stage AUX heat), boilers, and PTACs or fan coil units with up to 3 fan speeds. You can check to see if your system is compatible at ecobee.com/compatibility. The ecobee3 lite integrates seamlessly with your preferred smart home system. Added bonus - add to your investment property or short term rental and always know how your heating system is operating!
2. Smart Bulbs
Smart Bulbs. If you are a parent, this is my favourite hack ever--we were being woken up to turn on or off the lights, and then we added one of these to our little guys lamp. Introducing the Smart Bulb, the wifi LED light bulb that’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With this smart bulb, you can control the light with simple voice commands, without ever having to touch the bulb. The Smart Bulb is also remotely controllable with the “Smart Life App” or“Lepro LampUX” app (iOS and Android), so you can change colors or adjust brightness no matter where you are. Whether you want to create a soothing mood lighting effect or need efficient lighting for a busy day, the Smart Bulb has you covered. This color changing light bulb has an output of 800 lumens and is designed for bright, efficient lighting. You can also set up multiple schedules for the Smart Bulb to turn on/off according to your daily routine. Change colors or adjust brightness via app or voice control—the Smart Bulb works with any standard dimmer switch. If you're an Airbnb owner, this may also be the answer to the question did your guests leave the lights on?
3. Smart Locks
Smart Lock. The Halo Smart Lock is a keyless, Bluetooth-enabled door lock that connects directly to your existing home Wi-Fi network and smartphone, allowing you to control and monitor your door locks with ease. The app provides a simple and secure way to manage access to your home, whether you want to create permanent passcodes or temporary ones for guests. You can also receive notifications on every code usage. The lock is re-keyable in seconds, so you can easily change your key if needed. It is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Additionally, the Alexa and Google Assistant functionality is only available from Android devices. It allows over 200 codes making it perfect for Airbnb!
4. Smart Doorbells
Smart Doorbells. Introducing the Blink Smart Doorbell! With this innovative device, you can answer your door from anywhere in the world using your smartphone. Just download the free Blink app and you're ready to go. The 1080p HD day and night video provides a clear view of who's at your door, while the two-way audio lets you communicate with your guests. You can even choose to save and share clips in the cloud with a 30-day trial of the Blink Subscription Plan. Plus, with no wiring required, it's easy to install. The Blink Smart Doorbell also works with Alexa, so you can access live view, two-way talk, motion and chime alerts, and more. Likely the easiest camera to install, smart doorbells capture video of anyone approaching your front door.
5. Voice Assistants
Echo Dot. Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more. Echo Dot has a new and improved audio experience compared to any previous Echo Dot with Alexa. With clearer vocals, deeper bass and vibrant sound, Echo Dot is perfect for any room. You can also use Echo Dot to control compatible smart home devices with your voice. For example, you can ask Alexa to turn on the lights or start a fan. Echo Dot also has multiple layers of privacy controls, including a mic off button.
To summarize, now that you have a better idea of the latest smart devices available for your home and their features, it might be time to add some of them to your shopping list. Automating processes like security measures and maintaining the temperature in your home while still having full control over them is a great advantage. Furthermore, smart devices can save you money on utilities if used correctly. A great way to start is by investigating what’s available and figuring out what kinds work best for your lifestyle. Look for solid warranties that come with buying these products as well as discounts whenever possible. Finally, research which companies offer the highest quality products, customer service and support when it comes to any issues that may occur after setup. With these tips in mind you are ready to take back control of your home with these amazing gadgets! So, grab a pen and paper and make that Shopping List for Smart Devices for Your Home!
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House of Three is an architectural technology firm that produces BCIN-licensed, predesigned house plans, custom designs, and renovation blueprints. We create affordable, attractive, and code-compliant designs for residential homes, renovations, and rentals. Located just north of the historic limestone city of Kingston, Ontario, we work with clients from our local area and across all of Canada.
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