Smart Homes In Westchester – 2023
Go Back To Previous PageA few things will stand out if you’ve ever driven through Westchester County. One of the most commonly cited things
about this county is how frequently homes in the area look old school. It’s not unusual to see homes that look straight out of a page from a Victorian architecture book, and it’s a good part of Westchester’s charm. Though the area is famous for having classic-looking homes, you should make no mistake about the modern streak that this area boasts. Homeowners in Westchester adore having smart home technology. Those devices do not require a lot of investment in many cases. Getting in on the innovative home trend is a cinch. Which devices or systems shall I buy? Which smart home manager?
What is Green Technology?
Green Technology involves using eco-friendly methods for building, renovating and operating homes and buildings. This includes using natural products for exterior and interior building materials, maximizing natural light within buildings, implementing the latest energy-efficient technologies, reusing rainwater and condensation for building purposes, and creating green roofs by incorporating plantings and vegetation.
What is Smart Technology?
Smart technology is designed to enhance the living experience for everyone, including families, older people, and those with disabilities who live in homes or apartments. Here are some of the latest advancements that can improve living conditions:
- Upgraded security systems for homes and apartments
- Wireless thermostats (“smart thermostats”) that allow users to control heating and air conditioning
- Home designs that include accessibility features, such as elevators, accessible porches, and wheelchair-friendly backyards
- The use of sustainable, eco-friendly building materials
- Residences that are designed to reduce energy consumption and use natural resources like sunlight or geothermal air for heating and cooling
- Advanced communication methods for older people to request emergency assistance.
What Do You Need To Have A Smart Home?
Westchester County urges individuals to take action to protect the environment and explore new technologies that can improve our quality of life while reducing our carbon footprint. The Westchester County Climate Change Action Plan provides practical strategies for energy efficiency that we can all implement to decrease our carbon footprint. Constructing eco-friendly buildings is one way we can positively contribute to this effort. Additionally, designing structures to accommodate the needs of the aging population and those with disabilities would be a welcomed innovation.
It is advisable to have a smart home hub to automate your home. Amazon Alexa, google assistant, and Siri are two popular innovative home systems, and you will need at least one compatible device to connect with these voice-activated programs.
If you own an Android cell phone device, we recommend purchasing an Amazon Alexa. Once you have the hub, you can select and connect your devices to it.
1. What Are The Most Popular Smart Home Devices In Westchester?
For this article’s sake, we will stick to devices not currently considered part of a smart home hub, like an Alexa Show. Westchester’s most popular smart devices generally help improve the ambiance or add subtle security upgrades to your home. Some of the more popular ones include…
- Nest Thermostats. These are innovative thermostats owners can link to Alexa voice assistant, and their primary purpose is to help you save on heating bills by adjusting the temperatures when you are here.
- Ring Doorbells. The ring has become one of the most significant phenomena in the smart homeworld. These security devices record the nightly (and daily) goings-on around your home’s premises. It’s a smart doorbell allowing you to watch over your home at all times of the day.
- LIFX Light Bulbs (smart light bulbs). Any smart bulb will be a good match since these will allow you to turn your home’s lights on and off via voice command.
- Samsung Smart Fridge. Yes, it’s true. Smart refrigerators can be pretty cool in your home, and they’re convenient if you want to look up recipes while you cook.
- Video doorbells, smart plugs, and other smart home gadgets
- Robot vacuum
- Smart speaker and smart display and Apple Homekit
2. How Much Does It Cost To Turn Your House Into A Smart Home?
It doesn’t cost much money at all. On a technicality, having a smart home hub alone is enough to make your home a smart home. An
Amazon Echo Dot can be as little as $29 or even less if you get a used model. With that said, many homes get heavily outfitted with brand-new items.
So while the entry price is low, it’s not unusual to hear of those homes with thousands of dollars worth of gear.
3. How Do You Connect Your Smart Home manager To The Hub?
I wish I could write a universal guide for this, partly because I would use it myself. However, each device will have a different way of linking to Alexa, Siri, or Google Home. You can usually find out how to do it by checking the online guide or referring to a YouTube video.
Does Having A Smart Home System Improve Your Home’s Value?
Here’s one thing most people don’t want to hear about smart home systems: they don’t necessarily improve a house’s value. Unlike most home
improvement projects, most smart manager upgrades are items you can take from home to home.
Most items in question are small and expected to be taken with you. After all, homebuyers aren’t paying thousands of dollars more for a couple of light bulbs!
With that said, there are some exceptions to the rule. Smart locks, innovative refrigerators, and security devices are more likely to fetch a slight but noticeable uptick in pricing. Even then, they would have to be brand new and also would have to be smart devices that the new family desires. You may also have to reset smart locks with the new homeowners present.
Enhanced Security
Improving your home security systems can be achieved by installing security cameras, motion sensors, and smart door locks. Through surveillance cameras, you can monitor your home remotely and keep an eye on any activities.
By using smart locks, you can have full control over who enters or leaves your home by locking and unlocking it at any time. Additionally, you can connect your motion sensors to smart lighting systems to be alerted in the event of any intruders.
Entire-Home Audio System Control
Have you ever considered playing two different songs on two separate speakers from just one device? With a multi-room audio system, this is easily achievable. By installing a multi-room audio setup, you can manage all your streaming devices, satellite receivers, and speakers in one central location, making it much simpler to control.
Lighting Control System
Did you know that you can customize the lighting in your home to fit different moods? Many homeowners appreciate smart lighting systems because they offer the ability to adjust the lighting to match particular moods or occasions.
To conserve energy, you can program your lighting systems to only turn on when necessary and turn off when not in use.
Thermostats, and Sensors
With the help of smart thermostats, you can easily control your HVAC systems through your phone. This allows you to automate your systems and turn them on only when necessary. Additionally, you can also link them to sensors that provide real-time information and adjust your air conditioning accordingly.
How To Install Smart Devices
If you’re knowledgeable about technology and own a home, you may be able to install home automation devices on your own. However, home automation can be complex, and a small mistake during configuration could result in wasted time and money. We offer a home automation service to assist you, ensuring that the installation is done correctly. Additionally, we provide advice on how to make the most of your devices. It’s important to note that not all installers are the same. A subpar technician could create additional issues and make the process more difficult.
