Technology is great, isn’t it? We have everything at our fingertips on our smartphones or tablets, and the ability to get instant access to news and information is amazing. It’s difficult to remember that, in fact, this ability has come about only over the past few very recent years. The 21^st century really is the digital age, and it has many benefits. Among these benefits, the way technology can be used to control appliances in the home is not to be overlooked.

Think, for instance, about appliances that can now be controlled using apps: this is far from unusual in this day and age, and is something that makes life a lot easier in many ways. You may not yet have one of those much talked-about fridges that orders your refills for you for delivery, but many people do, and before long just about every new fridge sold will have this ability.

If that’s taking things a bit too far, what about washing machines? Some of the better models can also be controlled by apps, which is great if you want to set your wash cycle away when you are not present! Then, there’s smart thermostats, which are perhaps the most impressive of all such devices, and are becoming a must-have fitment with new-build houses and renovations. What else can be done to make your home a smart home? You may be surprised how much you can do to make things run more smoothly!

Related: Tips to Secure Your Home Without Spending Thousands on Security Systems

Control Your Heating

As the winter months roll in, so we need to make sure our homes are heated sufficiently; this – of course – costs money, and any gadget or device that can help improve efficiency is a welcome bonus. Smart thermostats are all the rage at the moment, and with good reason; these are affordable, easy to use and very impressive devices that can go as far as using the GPS on your smartphone to determine when you are nearing home, so it can switch the heating on, or when you are leaving so it can turn it off or down. They can also be controlled remotely so if you happen to be away for a few days, you can set your heating how you need to.

Another way of saving money in a smart home is to invest in one of the very latest energy-efficient electric fires, which are far more capable than those of just a few years ago. Where once it was the case that electricity was an expensive form of heat, this is no longer the case as it compares well with gas and other alternatives, and these very latest fires are well worth checking out.

Related: How to Keep You and Your Loved Ones Safe in the Kitchen

Home Security

While many of the smart functions and devices you can get around the home are more for convenience and fun than anything else – think apps that can turn your lights on, powered curtains, music systems that can follow you around the home for just a few examples – some re for practical purposes. One such is the robot vacuum cleaner, a staple of many homes these days and a very useful device, but there is an altogether more serious aspect that we want to talk about – security.

No home – or any building, for that matter – can ever be completely secure; there will always be someone who is clever enough to get past your security measures, should they see the need to. This is why you need an up to date alarm system, and preferably a smart alarm that can contact not only the emergency services when a break-in is detected, but also send you a message via SMS. In fact, some of the more sophisticated systems can even send you video footage in real time of what is going on, so you can take a virtual walk through the home – thanks to cameras in strategic places – and see if anything is amiss.

Traditional locks are easy pickings – forgive the pun – for those who know how to deal with them, so you should also check out smart locks for added security. These are very clever, hi-tech locking systems that often do without keys, and instead rely upon computerised systems and even fingerprint recognition for entry. They are far more secure than a standard lock, and there are many different versions offering a choice of impressive security features.

The digital age has brought us a lot of fun, but it also adds to our peace of mind and makes daily living much easier. App developers are constantly working on new formats, and manufacturers of various appliances and devices are adding to their range all the time, so you can be sure that there will be some gadgets, appliances and devices that are of interest to you, and that will bring added benefit to your home family.

 Related Articles:

ZWave – Smart Home 101: What You Need to Know Before Setting Up Your Smart Home

Alarm.com – Infographic: How Smart Can a Front Door Be? 

Kyle Hiscock – How Has Smart Home Technology Impacted Real Estate?

Capterra Real Estate Management Blog – What is a Smart Home? The Future of Residential Real Estate