Homes are no longer built like they were. Even compared to 10 years ago, drastic changes in technology have switched up the options homeowners have when making decisions about the types of assets that they include in their new space. These changes span many areas of the home and each has its own unique benefits in improving both the functionality and efficiency of the dwelling. Of the many options and choices you may have, we believe the following will be utilized the most during everyday life.
One of the biggest, if not the biggest monthly costs in running your home is paying for heating and cooling. Having complete control over the HVAC system in every aspect will guarantee that you are using the system as efficiently as possible. Smart thermostats allow you to do this in multiple ways. You have the ability to control the temperature remotely in multiple different zones of your home. You are no longer tied to having to be inside the home to make adjustments. If you forget to turn the system off when you leave, no problem, you can adjust it anywhere. These thermostats additionally can learn and then tailor the temperature and usage to your specific lifestyle. By taking the guesswork out of the equation, you can allow the system to run itself in the most efficient way possible, therefore, saving you money.
Functionality is the number one goal and achievement for home appliance progression over the years. Almost every appliance that you have in your home has had some sort of technology integrated into it. All “regular” refrigerators have been transformed into smart fridges or essentially a large computer sitting in your kitchen. Front-facing touch screens allow grocery lists to be created and internal cameras can allow you to see what is inside remotely. No longer when you are at the store do you need to wonder about whether you have a certain ingredient. Other devices, such as your oven, can be controlled remotely allowing you to complete tasks such as preheating, so when you arrive home from the store, you are immediately ready to begin cooking. Moving out of the kitchen and into the laundry room, like with your oven, your washer and dryer can be monitored and controlled remotely, allowing you to maximize your time and efficiency throughout the day without being stuck going back and forth to check the progress of the wash.
In a time period much sooner than many think, all vehicles on the road will be electric-powered. The days of refueling at the neighborhood gas station will be a thing of the past. If going through a home improvement project, there is no reason not to take the opportunity to equip your home with an electric vehicle charging solution to be ready for when you switch over to the new technology. These in-home charging stations come in two types, Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 charging stations can run off your already existing 120V outlet, yet have a very slow charging speed. What is recommended, is to have a dedicated 240V outlet installed so you can utilize the Level 2 technology, which greatly reduces charging time. This reduced charging time is something you may not find important at the moment, yet guaranteed to be something you will not be able to live without in the future.
Having a home security system in the past required you to have a professional company come install an integrated system into your home and then pay a relatively expensive fee for the service. This is no longer the case. There are now many home security systems that can be installed by the homeowner themselves followed by a monthly fee that is much lower than what you would normally pay. Additionally, these systems have incredible features such as cameras, along with all the features you would expect from a fully integrated system from one of the larger companies. Even better, these systems can be easily accessed by your smartphone so you are always able to monitor the system and view live video of what is going on in your home at the moment.
Related to the former, smart locks are essential for securing your home conveniently along with easily granting access without a key. Many of these mechanisms can be locked or unlocked remotely allowing an individual to enter in the case that access is needed and you are not available. Additionally, you can confirm that all entrances and exits are secured when you are away to give you peace of mind.
When implementing any of the above suggestions, always do your research. As we all know, with progressions in technology, changes occur very quickly. Make sure you are following the most up-to-date standards and employing the newest and most cutting-edge options to guarantee the best possible ROI and lifespan of the technology.
Want more insight into how RessaBuilt can help you transform your home? Check out the informative articles on our blog, or contact us to get your own home remodeling project started.