Smart Home Technology for Your First House

First time homebuyers, you are going to love what smart home technology can do! With a home comes the joy of ownership and having space to call your own, but there is also a level of responsibility that you don’t have with an apartment. For example, a homeowner has several entrances to protect, they have to worry about water leaks and, for some, paying utilities is a new experience. Luckily, smart home technology can make all of those things easier!

Let’s take a look at some of the smart home technology you’ll want in your first home.

Smart locks. Oops, forget to lock the doors before you left? Or, did you lose your key again? No worries. Just grab your smartphone, open the app, and you’re all set — no keys needed.

Smart thermostats. Whether you want your smart thermostat set on a schedule or something you can adjust on the go, this is an energy saving must. It seems like all technology these days has a sliding scale of functionality and smart thermostats fit into that category. This means you get to choose! Do you dip your toes into the water with one that just adjusts your temperature or do you go for the whole system and have one that tracks your behavior and adjusts accordingly, predicts the weather, manages temperature and humidity and more. There are a lot of fun and versatile choices on the market.

Smart lightbulbs. Many smart lightbulbs use LED technology so they are more expensive, but they will also last longer and save energy in the long run. But, of course, they go beyond their longevity and energy saving features to give you smart functionality. There are a lot of different options on the market but imagine being able to control the brightness without getting up and without a dimmer switch. Or turn on lights in different rooms when you’re away. Coming home late? That’s ok, you can turn on the lights so the home is bright and inviting by the time you get there. And probably the most fun feature of some smart bulbs, they change the color they emit to alter the mood of a room. For those who just love technology — look for the bulbs that sync up with certain TV shows or movies for a really dynamic entertainment experience.

Water leak sensors. Water leak sensors are an affordable way to stay on top of wasted water and stop leaks before they get out of hand. Water leak sensors are inexpensive and you should consider keeping one in any room where a leak is a possibility. They rest on the floor and can sense if there is water. If you’re home you’ll hear an alarm. If you’re away, you’ll receive a message on your smart device. Some of these devices can even monitor humidity to let you know if the conditions are right for dangerous mold growth before it even starts.

Outdoor irrigation systems. The challenge is on! You now have a lawn and the neighborhood competition to have the best-looking lawn is fierce. Stay on top of your lawn with little effort and make your neighbors green with envy. By using smart technology to keep it irrigated, you get a leg up on the neighbors.

Smart plugs. Turn anything into a remote access device. Imagine turning on your coffee maker from bed, turning on the slow cooker from work and adjusting the lights from anywhere. You’re only limited by your imagination with these flexible devices.

Personal home assistant. There are a lot of options you can choose from — Alexa, Google Home, Cortana and more. The home assistant can already look up anything on the web for you with voice commands. They’ll also access your play list, connect you with friends and family and give you access to your supported devices. This is where it gets exciting. Now your smart devices can talk to your personal assistant and you can control even more things remotely or by voice.

Give your new home a head start with smart home technology that helps you save time and energy. It may also make your house the coolest one on the block!

Connect with your American Family Insurance agent to learn more about special savings on smart home technology and homeowners insurance.

This article is for informational purposes only and includes information widely available through different sources.