Table of Contents
Devices For A Smart Home
A smart home makes it more efficient and convenient for homeowners to live their lives. There are several devices that can be grouped based on their uses: lighting, security, temperature control, irrigation, home entertainment system, and other household appliances. Depending on what you need the most, you can start planning the cost to upgrade your simple home into a smart home.
1. Lighting
Average: $55 per room
For people who want to save money in the long run, installing automatic bulbs that you can easily manage through your smartphones is a huge help. You no longer have to worry about forgetting to switch off the lights at night. There are even motion sensor light bulbs that can conserve energy and will only open when someone is in the room. The cheapest one is $4 that is enough for hallways while the price to brighten the whole room is around $20.
There are also lightbulbs that can increase security in your home. If you are away for a long time, lightbulbs can be programmed to switch on and off randomly to give the impression that someone is in the house.
Mood lights are also becoming increasingly popular. They can improve the overall aesthetic appeal of your home by changing the light colors or simply dimming or brightening the room. The cheapest color-changing light bulb is $4.75 while the average is at $10 per lightbulb.
For more convenience, you can also install smart switches that you can control via a remote or through a smart assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant. You can buy one at $16 but the typical smart switch can cost around $35.
2. Security
Average: $1300 for the whole house
Most homeowners install smart devices in their houses for security. Typically, you can install security cameras that have a lot of functions. Most of these devices can be accessed through your smartphone or laptops even if you are away from your home. There are different security cameras for different uses such as a motion sensor camera that is perfect for indoor use, and a night vision camera that you can install outside.
You can buy one at $72 but a typical security camera is around $150. There are other devices that already have security cameras such as light bulbs with a security camera installed in them. You can buy one for $43.
Aside from security cameras, you can also install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that will notify you even if you're not at home. Typically, they cost around $150.
3. Temperature Control
Average: $200 for the whole house
If you want to make sure that every room in your home is at a comfortable temperature throughout the day, you can easily install a thermostat that will control the temperature to a comfortable level. Other thermostats have the function to automatically turn off heating or air conditioning as soon as you leave the house which can save you a lot of money.
You can buy one at $100 on average but if you want more features, you can go for a more high-end $250 thermostat. Even though it is pricier than other devices, a smart thermostat can actually save you a lot of money from your electric bills because of their energy-saving functions. The beauty of a smart thermostat is that you don't have to buy more than one. You can easily change the temperature using one device,
4. Irrigation
Average: $260 for the whole house
For homeowners who have a huge garden, having a smart irrigation system can save you a lot of effort and money. This is especially useful for people who like taking care of plants that are sensitive to water intake. You can get a sprinkler controller for around $100. For more controllers that have features that do not only sprinkle based on schedule but also based on humidity and temperature, the average price is usually at $240.
Aside from the smart sprinkler controller, you should also have sprinklers installed in your garden. You can connect your existing ones in your smart device or buy new ones that work with it.
You can also have a smart faucet that activates through a motion sensor in your bathrooms for $100 or buy an adapter for only $40.
5. Home Entertainment System
Average: $200-$1200 per room
To modernize your home, you should also have high-tech and modern devices that can keep you and your guests entertained. There are a lot of entertainment systems that have smart technology so the average price can vary greatly.
For most people on a strict budget, a smart TV is enough to spice up their homes. For $200, you can already have a great 32" TV that has smart functions. For bigger ones, a bigger smart TV that has more functions can cost up to $9,000.
You can also have a smart speaker with a smart assistant so that you can control other smart devices in your home. A smart speaker usually costs $150 but there are portable mini speakers for only $30.
If your house has dead wifi zones, then you can also install a Wi-Fi mesh system that can only cost you around $160 to $400 for a set of three. You can buy less if you have a smaller home and do not need more than one Wi-Fi mesh.
6. Household Appliances
Average: $1800 for the whole house
There are multiple household appliances that have smart technology. From refrigerators to ovens, most of them can make living in your home easier. Some appliances do not need to connect to Wi-Fi and rely on motion sensors but there are other appliances that you can control with your smartphone or Smart Assistant.
A smart refrigerator makes it easier for you to plan your meals and avoid spending too much on your groceries. Smart refrigerators can have an inventory of all the food inside the refrigerator. Other smart refrigerators can even recommend recipes based on what you currently have.
There are also other kitchen appliances that have smart technology such as a smart oven, usually around $60, that can be controlled by your Smart Assistant and perform basic functions. You can even preheat your oven on the way home so you can go straight to cooking.
If you're someone who dreads the morning, for $90, you can have a smart coffee maker that can brew your coffee for you while you're still in your bed, preparing to get up. Pair that with a $180 smart toaster and your mornings are complete.
There are also instant smart pots that can be an electric pressure cooker, sterilizer, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, cake maker, yogurt maker, and warmer. The average price of this appliance is around $130.
If you need to turn off certain devices through your phone, you can have smart plugs that cost only around $26. They work like traditional plugs except you can control them via your phone or even your smart assistant. This is helpful to avoid electric bills from increasing even when you are not at home.
Other Costs
Estimate
If you contact a company to install the devices needed, they usually check out your home first in order to get a general idea of how much it will cost. The initial estimate depends on your budget and the devices you want. Oftentimes, they offer a free inspection in order to evaluate how much the estimated cost will be.
Installation
The installation fee is an added cost if you hire someone to do the job for you. If you can spare a few dollars, it's better to have someone else install the devices so that they can make sure that everything works perfectly.
The price varies depending on a lot of factors. For devices that connect to Wi-Fi, you can install them yourselves or hire another person for a cheap price. However, for devices that require wiring systems, the installation price might be a little higher.
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