Home automation is one of the top remodeling trends for 2020, a trend that is driven by a variety of factors, including millennials’ desire for tech integration in their lives, a chance for seniors to age in place, and lower energy bills. But there is a huge variety of technology available, so how do you know which ones will meet your needs?
All of the technology upgrades that you can do in your home fall into three categories, so let’s give a closer look to see which ones would benefit your Boise property.
Smart Tech Will Increase Your Home’s Value
Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances were once considered luxury items in a home, but over the last decade as the popularity of HGTV has grown, these items are now considered a standard feature of a new home. Investing in smart technology now will put you in front of the next homeowners’ trend.
According to Dreamcasa.org, “72% of millennials said they would pay $1,500 or more for properties with smart home systems, while 44% said they would pay up to $3,000 more”. Millennials’ comfort with newer technology means that a home with already installed USB outlets or smart thermostats will be more appealing to them.
Boise’s North End attracts millennials and retirees alike. As retirees move to the area, their desire to age in place means they will be attracted to homes that make it easier to do so. Homes with automation can help those with decreased mobility turn off lights without getting up, or contact help more easily in an accident. Adult children can even be given access to cameras or motion sensors so that they can keep an eye on aging parents without interfering too closely in their parents’ daily life.
USB outlets
If you’ve resorted to piling up phones, tablets, or ipads on a countertop in the kitchen where your only USB plug outlet is located, now would be a great time to invest in a few permanent USB outlets. The kitchen, the bedroom, and the office are great locations to create charging stations for all of your electronic devices, and a simple outlet upgrade could quickly reduce visual clutter in your home.
Smart Home Technology Protects Your Property
The Boise police department just announced that Boise’s crime rate is the lowest it’s been in 25 years, but if you travel a lot, knowing that you can look in on your home no matter where you’re at in the world provides tremendous peace of mind. Security cameras, motion sensors, and smart locks can all help protect your property.
Security Cameras
Today’s smart security cameras are vastly different from the closed circuit ones of yesteryear. Now you can access the video feed for your cameras with your phone wherever you’re at. Furthermore, you can also talk to neighbors, delivery drivers, or solicitors directly through the doorbell when you may actually be at the grocery store. If you’re interested in integrating this security system into your home remodeling project, you should contact us.
Motion Sensors
As an additional security feature, motion sensors are a great way of deterring trespassers from creeping about on your property. Modern motion sensors can go beyond merely turning on a light when triggered; now you can directly access your cameras to see if it’s the neighbor’s cat or an actual intruder in your garage, and you can turn on lights or contact the police straight from your phone. And if you have a teenager in the home, you can also set up the motion sensors to keep track of their comings and goings.
Smart Locks
Providing additional peace of mind, smart locks are the perfect tech remodel for any family who is constantly in and out of the home. Did your son forget to lock the door on his rush out to school? Now you can lock it from work when you check your phone. Did you forget to give your visiting mother-in-law a key? Now you can text her a code and she can let herself in while you’re at work. Smart locks also reduce the risk of lost keys or unlocked doors.
Smart Home Remodels Increase Energy Efficiency
Today’s homeowners value energy efficiency with an eye on reducing their impact on the environment. This is especially true in Boise where 77% of residents were in favor of the city’s move to reduce energy use. Smart home features like smart thermostats and automated lighting can help lower your utility usage while also moving the community toward its goal of reducing energy use.
Automated Lighting
Gone are the days of walking around behind family members and turning off the lights in an empty room. With an integrated lighting system, you can turn off lights with your phone or by a simple voice command to your Alexa. Studies show that combining this with a motion sensor light system that automatically turns lights off, homeowners could reduce their energy consumption (and their electric bills) by 22%.
Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat upgrade helps increase the efficiency of a home’s heating and cooling system, while also saving you money. These thermostats can be linked to your phone, allowing you to adjust the temperature as you’re out running errands or while on vacation. In addition, smart thermostats can learn your preferences, and can then adjust automatically so that you’re always toasty warm when you wake up in the morning.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Boise or Eagle home, automate your security system, save on energy costs, or turn your phone into command central of everything electronic in your life, contact us for a smart home remodel today.