The term high-tech home may make your head spin because the phrase makes it seem like you need to be incredibly wealthy to get your hands on this kind of setup. While high-tech gadgets can be expensive, they don’t have to be out of reach if you know how to shop around and if you’re creative with how you use technology in your daily life. Here are seven how to have a high tech home on a budget.
1) Use your phone as a remote control
A great way to keep your home high tech is by using your smartphone as a remote control. Several apps enable you to control everything from lights, HVAC systems, and window coverings-even video game consoles like an Xbox or Playstation. You can also install smart switches in many rooms, which means you don’t even need an app. Just use it as a remote.
2) Get more smart appliances
Smart appliances like refrigerators, ovens, TVs, and more are easy ways to upgrade your home for very little money. There are many smart appliances out there that can make life easier without breaking your bank account. If you need new gadgets for your high-tech home, consider smart appliances first. Make sure you know what functions you want from each device so that you can prioritize them when shopping around, and keep an eye out for sales and discounts as well.
3) Add alexa or google home
While these devices aren’t cheap, they can increase your efficiency in managing your home. They’re smart enough to order new supplies for you when you need them, tell you about traffic before you head out, and let you control just about anything in your home with just a word or two. Best of all, many brands offer coupons so that they won’t cost too much. If money is an issue and/or you only want to set up one room, start small.
4) Consider Smart Outlets
Smart outlets are an affordable way to control your home from your phone. They’re great for getting control of dumb devices around your house. You can set timers, schedule specific events and even program them to work with other smart products like Philips Hue lights or Nest Thermostats. You’ll save money on energy costs, and you’ll never have another piece of technology that goes unused again!
5) Pick Smart locks and lights
Smart locks and lights offer tech-savvy homeowners lots of perks for relatively little cash. By replacing conventional deadbolts and switches with digital versions, you can control who comes into your home and when. Their more convenient, too smart locks keep track of your comings and goings so you don’t have to unlock doors manually while smart bulbs know when they need changing.
6) Add automation tools like IFTTT or Stringify
This will allow you to create rules or recipes that execute when certain conditions are met, saving you time and money. For example, say you have an Amazon Echo Dot in your kitchen. Using IFTTT, you can create a recipe for Kitchen lights On that turns your Hue smart lights connected to an Echo into kitchen lights.
7) Install webcams in the house
Security cameras are practical and effective, but you don’t have to get an expensive system. There are plenty of smart home security systems out there that don’t require professional installation just plug in a camera and sync it with your smartphone or computer.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in your first house or looking for ways to transform your current digs, there are tons of cheap and easy things you can do to make your home smart. Even if you have an outdated computer, there are still plenty of ways you can use it around your home. With just a little elbow grease and some old computers, it’s not hard at all to have a state of the art smart home.
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