How Smart Is Your Home? 4 Functions That Can Be Automated

Smart homes were once an idea of the future but are now becoming a fast reality. There are many smart functions for your home that can make your life a little easier.

Motorized Shades

Traditional blinds have long dangling cords, which can easily become tangled and become a big jumbled mess. The blinds themselves are often too flimsy and very loud. Motorized shades, on the other hand, are easy to install, low-maintenance and tangle-free. With these shades, you will be able to control the natural light in your home, provide privacy and create a safe environment for your children and pets because there are no cords to entangle them with.

While you’re away, you can give the appearance like someone is home because they can be operated with a timer and sun sensors.

Home Security Systems

To keep you feeling safe and sound at night (or while you’re away at work), investing in a home security system can set your worries at bay. A large population of the residents in Washington, DC have home security systems to protect their home from burglars and unwelcome intruders. Security systems are easy to install and there are a variety of different systems to chose from.

If you wish to use a system remotely, opt for one with a smart phone app: You will be able to control the system, watch who is visiting your home and will get an alert on your phone and e-mail if there are any disturbances.

Gutter-Cleaning Robot

The iRobot is a household name because of the genius Roomba, a smart vacuum-cleaning robot that took the everyday home by storm. This handy little vacuum was able to go where no other vacuums could and was able to pick up dirt, pet hair and other debris from the floor as well as cleaning along wall edges. Then came the Scooba, the floor washing robot. This handy-dandy small mop not only washes the floors for you, it will clean the floors without moving around the dirty water — it works like a squeegee.

Now those are all fine for the inside of your home, but what about those dreaded gutters? The Looj is a convenient and clever little gutter-cleaning robot. Stop having to step up and down your ladder and use the Looj. It will travel throughout your gutters, blasting away leaves, dirt and sludge all at the same time.

Smart Thermostats

Using a programmable thermostat is a very smart upgrade for your home. Programmable thermostats control a home’s central heat and air conditioning, which in turn will put money back in your pocket. You will see in your utility bills that you are saving money, so spending money at first will pay off in no time. They start at around $40 and can cost as much as $400.