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Smart house

Embrace the smart home revolution throughout your house

by MARC SALTZMAN

We may still be a few years away from a humanoid robot that can wash our dishes and make our beds, like Rosie the cheeky robotic housekeeper from The Jetsons, but today’s smart home devices are getting us pretty close to that kind of existence.

These gadgets let you easily control your home with intuitive apps (or by using your voice through a nearby smart speaker), and they can also automate tasks, like turning off the lights in a room when you walk out. Smart-home tech can also make your home more secure and run more efficiently.

Safety first
Keep an eye on your home (and your pets) when you’re away with easy-to-install, internet-enabled doorbell cams or outdoor video cameras. They let you see what’s going on via your mobile device. You’ll be notified when they sense motion or sound, or if someone presses the doorbell. You can even chat with the person through your phone.

Wi-Fi thermostats
App-controlled thermostats can save you money on your heating and cooling bills. These thermostats not only offer you more control, they can learn your schedule and automatically adjust the temp in your home accordingly. Some models work with occupancy sensors you place in different rooms, for optimum comfort.

Smart lighting
Not only do LED lights sip—rather than gulp—electricity, they last for several years. Smart bulbs let you control them with an app or your voice. You can also set timers and schedules. This is useful when you’re away, because they can turn lights on and off at given intervals, to make it look like you’re home. Some smart lights also let you specify what colours you want.

Around the house
An intelligent garage door can push notifications to your phone if you left it open, so you can remotely close it. You can also open it for, say, a courier, while you’re away. Smart electrical outlets let you plug in any device, such as a lamp or coffee maker, and control them with your voice or an app, or set schedules and timers.

Smart home devices bring us closer to living in a Jetsonian reality.

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