As you prep your home for the holidays, consider some fun digital upgrades just for you. These smart-home technologies are easy to install and fun to use and provide a return on investment long after your guests head home.
1. VOICE ASSISTANT
Amazon Echo (Alexa) or Google Home Assistant come in a variety of sizes, from the Google Mini or Echo Dot to larger hubs such as Google Hub or Echo Show. Place an assistant in popular areas of your home, such as the kitchen or
bedroom, and use voice commands to get information, play music, and control your other smart-home devices.
2. SMART THERMOSTAT
Popular brands include Ecobee, Nest, and Honeywell. Nest has been acquired by Google, which is transitioning the “works with Nest” program to work with Google Assistant to run video doorbells, door locks, cameras, and security systems. Ecobee includes an additional occupancy and temperature sensor that can be placed in any room in your house. Both systems have scheduling and geofence features that will adjust settings based on whether you’re home or away.
3. VIDEO DOORBELL
Ring, Nest, Simplisafe, and Skybell are all great options. See who’s at the door, monitor package deliveries, even avoid salespeople. Note that the quality of video you get depends on Wi-Fi bandwidth in your home.
4. SMART LIGHTING
One good option is Lutron, which can be controlled via voice or a smart bridge device. Philips Hue or LIFX bulbs are both great options for lighting up a room with color, and each includes a variety of scenes for mood lighting. Smart lights can also be integrated with a home hub such as Hubitat and connected to other devices such as door or motion sensors.
5. SMART PLUGS
Use your smartphone or voice assistant to control lamps, fans, and holiday lights. Some versions also include energy monitoring, which can automatically turn devices on or off, or simply let you know how much power you’re using.