What Are The Best Smart Home Devices to Reduce Home Strain?
Home strain is a relatively new development in the modern world, as people across the world are staying home more than they ever have before.
Before this pandemic hit, people were constantly on the move to their offices, out to restaurants or traveling across the globe.
This means that for a significant portion of the day, their homes were left undisturbed and their appliances and other devices were not frequently used. However, with more people working from home, this situation has been flipped on its head.
Our homes and devices are getting used at extreme rates, as they try to keep up with our needs as we work and cook from home consistently.
So it’s no surprise that consumers are seeing a lot of maintenance issues arise with their appliances, as they aren’t used to this constant strain. But setting up a maintenance appointment is easier said than done.
As social distancing guidelines continue to get stricter, allowing a stranger to come into your home to fix something is becoming less and less appealing.
However, some issues like a broken A.C. in the summer or a faulty computer during the work week just can’t be put off.
But luckily, people don’t have to wait around until something breaks to deal with this home strain issue.
By being proactive, keeping up with a consistent cleaning schedule and installing smart home technology throughout their home, they can reduce their need for outside assistance and keep their home running smoothly.
There are a variety of smart home devices available that help tackle every need homeowners might have.
To help new and older homeowners alike find the best products for their needs, they put together a guide to the top devices for an efficient home.
Below, they break down some of the most popular devices and explain just how they can help make your life as a homeowner a bit easier throughout this pandemic.
One of the biggest issues that can keep homeowners up at night has to do with water. Not only are pipes pricey to fix, but sudden bursts can cause floods quickly and destroy furniture while creating costly repairs.
Devices like water leak detectors and smart water shutoffs help solve this issue, offer real-time alerts and control over the water system in your home.
It’s estimated that water leak detectors can save up to 10,000 gallons of water from unknown leaks. Smart water shutoffs, on the other hand, can reduce potential water damage by up to 96%.
Summer months typically mean extreme temperatures, meaning the need for a working (and somewhat inexpensive) cooling system is crucial. And you don’t have to completely gut and rebuild your A.C.
system to take advantage of tech add-ons. By updating your thermostat to a smart device and installing temperature and humidity sensors throughout your home, you can ensure your home is in the proper climate.
Smart thermostats can save on average 10% annually on heating and cooling, meaning it’s a smart investment for year around home upkeep.
And humidity controls can alert you to abnormal conditions as they occur, helping you detect mold growth before they grow out of control.
Did you know that there is an average of 51,600 home fires every year from flammable gas? (source: NFPA) While forgetting to turn off the oven or stovetop might seem harmless, if left unchecked, it can lead to deadly fires and explosions that wreak havoc on your home’s structure.
Smart devices like remote gas shut offs have been created specifically to address this issue, by allowing homeowners to remotely turn off gas and get alerted should a leak occur.
Other more traditional devices like smoke, CO2 and carbon monoxide detectors will alert authorities in the event of a fire. They also allow you to remotely reset them in case of a false alarm.
Home strain stretches far beyond your appliances and devices. Homeowners can experience this strain as well, given the sheer amount of things that need to be done to keep their home in tip top shape.
Thankfully, devices like cameras and automatic locks offer greater control and security over your home, which can lead to a greater peace of mind throughout every season.
However, given that the summer months are home to more burglaries than any other time of the year (source: the Bureau of Justice Statistics), it’s smart to get these devices installed as soon as possible.
For more expert tips on how to streamline your home and reduce it’s overall strain, take a look at the infographic below to see all the devices you can install throughout your home!
Installing these devices will not only give you a greater peace of mind, but can save you money throughout your mortgage by lowering your insurance premium and monthly utility bill.