7 TIPS FOR UPGRADING TO A SMART HOME IN 2021
When remodeling your home, it’s nice to have a new basement, lights and garage, but why not also make them smarter? After upgrading to a smart home in 2019, Jon Byman said his house is slowly becoming the high-tech McFly home from 1989’s Back to the Future II (minus the flying cars and pizza hydrator).
Here’s what he learned.
1
YOUR VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Price: $30 to $200+ per device
A smart home system that can act as your own personal virtual assistant is probably not a necessity, but for smart home owners, the ability to sync all of your smart devices and control them with the push of a button is a must have.
My rating: 4 out of 5
2
SMART PLUGS
Price: $10 to $25 per plug
Smart plugs create a simple solution to a complex lifestyle by allowing homeowners the ability to transform any outlet into a switch that can be controlled from anywhere in the world. This means starting the coffee maker with the click of a button, scheduling automations based on your routine and not coming back to a dark home after work.
My rating: 3 out of 5
3
SMART LIGHTS
Price: $10 to $50+ per bulb
Having smart lights isn’t just about turning them on and off through your smartphone. It’s about setting the mood with a gradient of colors, levels of brightness and automations that react to customized voice commands.
My rating: 4 out of 5
4
SMART DOORBELL
Price: $100 to $200
The home is the most valuable possession most people own, but how can we feel secure that our most prized possession is being looked after when we leave? Smart doorbells provide a simple solution that give any homeowner confidence and control over what’s happening while they’re away.
My rating: 4.5 out of 5