How to create a smart, efficient home on a budget

Key Insights

• There are many smart products available to perform different tasks around your home — and some have gotten better at integrating with each other.
• Consider what problems you’re trying to solve when shopping for smart home technology.
• Investing in smart home tech can lead to energy savings in the long run.

For years, buzz has been building about “smart homes,” which are outfitted with devices and systems that automate and optimize based on the homeowner’s preferences.

Plenty of smart home devices — like programmable thermostats — have taken off, and are becoming more integrated and affordable. But with so many products and options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which will benefit your home, and which are the “shiny objects” of the moment.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are insights you can use if you are hoping to purchase smart home devices for your house.

Note: Edina Realty is neither endorsing nor recommending these products. Please check with product retailers to verify current product prices.

Hubs: Amazon Echo, Apple iHome and Google Home

These three speech-activated smart home devices can respond to hundreds of requests and help you automate basic tasks throughout the day. Their healthy competition to control the marketplace means you get to take advantage of a growing list of integrations, and their time on the market has allowed older versions to be sold at reduced prices.

The benefit of these hubs is that they act as the epicenter of your smart devices where you can control anything from your refrigerator temperature to your home’s security system, entertainment streaming and more. Many other smart home products can pair with these hubs so you can access that tech through your AI assistant, as well as the product’s app.

Top products for safety

If you’re on a budget, be sure to limit your purchases to products that solve a real problem in your household. Here are some top-rated products that help with issues of safety.

Smart locks

If dozens of people have your garage code — from the nanny to your kids’ friends — how safe is your home, really? Rather than giving keys or an entry code to your house cleaner, the math tutor or even your houseguests, you can fully control entry using smart locks for every party that enters and exits your home.

There are a number of options out there to fit your preference like fingerprint ID, keyless codes and the power to unlock your door through an app. Some even integrate video technology like security cameras or a video doorbell to show you who’s at your door and give you the option to unlock a door or open a garage. Many also have the option to work with your security system to auto-lock at certain times of night, alert you if a door was left open and more.

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms

Two-in-one smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are easy to install and have an in-person alarm as well as text alerts if the alarm goes off. The peace-of-mind of getting alerts when you’re not home is worth the price, and some will even send an alert to your phone if the battery is running low.

Security cameras

Recent advances in security camera integration have made smart home technology even easier. From video doorbells to outdoor entry point surveillance and even indoor monitors for infants’ rooms, cameras have become paired with other tools to take the guesswork out of home security.

For instance, products paired with a hub could allow you to get a message on your phone about a fire in your kitchen, a camera view to show you what’s going on, a security system to call the fire department, a smart lock function that would allow you to open the door when they arrive, all while you’re miles away.

Top products for efficiency

Part of what makes a device “smart” is that it can help you minimize energy use in your home. Below are a few top products that will pay for themselves over time.

Smart light bulbs and switches

Worried you’ve left a light on, or too lazy to get out of bed to turn off the bathroom light you errantly left on? There are two products that can help you solve this issue.

Smart light switches can require installation but are then controlled by a smart home hub or your smartphone. Because it’s controlled by Wi-Fi, you can turn the switch on and off even when you’re not home.

Updating every light switch can get pricey, so you can also purchase smart light bulbs, which can be controlled via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Wi-Fi-controlled bulbs are more expensive and generally require you to purchase a larger system. There are also Bluetooth options, but you’ll need to be at home to turn them on and off.

Smart plugs

We all have that one outlet — the one connected to the clothes iron, the curling iron or the coffee pot — that we fret over when we’re at work. Or what about the outlet connected to the Sony Playstation, which is likely using up “vampire energy” while you’re away?

While replacing every outlet in your home would be a significant investment, upgrading your main problem outlets can be an inexpensive, effective way to bring down your energy use (and anxiety). Being able to use voice commands through your hub or going on an app make them incredibly convenient and easy to use. They’re also handy during the holiday season for turning holiday lights off and on without having to don a coat or kneel behind a pine branch.

Programmable thermostat

Smart thermostats were one of the first players in the smart home market. They can be controlled from near and far, and they learn your preferences over time to help you save money and keep your home comfortable. They also have alerts for when filters need to be changed and maintenance done to keep your system working at its best.

Smart appliances

New home appliances now have Wi-Fi capabilities built in, allowing you to start the oven, run the dishwasher, or give the laundry an extra 10-minute drying cycle. These features are accessible through voice commands using your hub and an app on your phone. For busy professionals trying to manage a home, these features can be great time savers.

Smart homes keep getting smarter

With new tech products emerging every day, it’s safe to assume that smart home technology is here to stay. So if you’re trying to decide which smart home options are best for you, remember to consider your lifestyle, your challenges and your goals before stocking up on the latest gadgets.

If you’re feeling like a smarter move might be to buy or sell your home, reach out to our customer care team today to plan your next steps.