Plugging in

The contemporary home is already much different than what our grandparents were used to with the internet and smart devices laying around.

- Joe Toppe

As the COVID-19 crisis digs in for another turn, the home has become more than a place to lay your head, it is a sanctuary, it is an entertainment hub, it is the gym, and it is the office.

Today, moving into your new house or apartment requires an understanding of integrated appliances and cost-effective gadgetry that is both smart and safe.

Whether you want security, cleaner floors, or increased efficiencies with internet access for smart devices like an iPhone, gaming console, or television, the connected home and the people living there are plugging in to make it happen.

As far back as three years ago, a survey conducted by Finn Partners’ Global Technology Practice showed consumers considered “human control” an important quality before adopting connected technologies for the home.

Money Talks

Up and down weather, up and down thermostat, up and down electric bills. Stuart Lombard, CEO, and founder of ecobee, said a voice-controlled smart thermostat can clog leaky funds and save additional money while making the move to clean energy.

In fact, “homeowners can save up to 23% annually on heating and cooling costs,” he said. The right smart thermostat can “leverage machine learning and AI to tailor temperature settings.”