Four Smart Home Utilities You Can Easily Afford in 2018

As technology continues to integrate more and more into our daily lives, our reliance on it for even the most mundane of tasks is only growing. Despite rapid progress in this arena over the past 30 years, we all don’t own flying cars yet or personal teleportation devices. It seems no matter how much progress we make, the future as we envision it remains far away.

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The smart home is one of those dreams that still hasn’t come true for the vast majority of people. While there are some who have been able to take advantage of technology in this regard, the costs associated with it have been prohibitive for most.

Not any more: below, we’ll look at five smart home utilities you can implement or integrate today that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

Smart Locks

Entry to the home is arguably one of the most important protective measures any homeowner can invest in these days. Thankfully, a variety of smart locks now exist that can be added to an existing door for maximum protection and convenience.

Some utilize Wi-Fi and existing smart appliance integration, allowing for instant unlock when you arrive home. Others are simpler and allow you to use a code rather than a key, providing access to the home to whomever you decide.

You owe it to yourself to check out the variety of smart lock systems that are quite affordable in the here and now.

Smart Thermostats

On the market for years and more affordable than ever, smart/programmable thermostats are a huge game-changer for those looking to reduce their living costs. For as little as $50, you can invest in a programmable or smart thermostat that’ll cool and heat any space on your own terms.

Planning to be away during the day? Your thermostat will take notice and conserve energy. On your way home? The thermostat knows all and will begin heating or cooling the house in preparation for your arrival.

Smart Lighting

Being able to conserve energy isn’t just limited to heating and cooling in a smart home: it extends to every facet of the home! One such way to revolutionize your lighting and utility bills at the same time is to invest in smart lighting solutions.

While completely rewiring the house is expensive, there are standalone lighting solutions available that are very affordable. Take for instance the Philips Hue smart light bulbs: these devices can be individually controlled from a smartphone or mobile device and activated/deactivated whenever.

Smart Everything

Even though most standard appliances aren’t manufactured with smart home designs in mind, that doesn’t mean they can’t be revolutionized, too. With all-in-one smart home systems like the SmartThings system, you can add dozens of your basic appliances and devices to be monitored, activated and controllable from anywhere.

Using a combination of sensors, you can control and analyze your entire home via Wi-Fi from anywhere!

Even though our homes might be stuck in the 20^th century, there is no reason why most of your home’s functions have to stay there with it. These four smart systems can revolutionize how you save money, interact with appliances and perceive your home as a modern space. We’re sure that you’ll find at least one of these devices to be to your – and your wallet’s – liking.