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Lori Madden, MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATESPhone: (941) 780-8443
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5 Smart Home Appliances You Should Try

by Lori Madden 01/16/2022


Image by Angelo Esslinger from Pixabay

When we think of smart home appliances, it can be easy to think of virtual assistants like Alexa or Siri. But the truth is that smart home technology is integrated into nearly every appliance you can think of. Some of these gadgets are created primarily for convenience (e.g., starting your coffee maker when your alarm clock goes off). Some are designed to pay for themselves many times over. We'll look at five that have great rates of return.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats track resident location to determine where you are and when you'll be back home. This kind of intuitive feature has been known to save up to 15% on cooling and 12% on heating. It's calibrated to cut energy by just enough to conserve your resources but not enough so it has to overwork by the time you get back. The return on investment (ROI) of your smart thermostat will depend on how often you're home and what temperature you target. If nothing else, it means you don't have to reset it every time you go on vacation.

Smart Moisture Sensors

Water damage is a seriously expensive problem for any homeowner to have. Smart moisture sensors can detect a puddle tucked in a back corner or a small leak in the walls that hasn't yet made its presence known. Before you even have the chance to expose residents to mold or make the call to a repairman to fix the walls, you'll get an alert whenever there's trouble. It's a great way to stave off excess bills.

Smart Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart detectors will send alerts to your phone just in case you're not there when something occurs. This makes it easier for you to take action during the initial stages of the problem. Luckily, the smart smoke detectors of today were built to distinguish between dangerous smoke and someone who burnt their toast. They're so effective that many insurance companies give discounts or rebates when you buy them.

Smart Sprinklers

Do you always forget to turn off your sprinklers when there's rain in the forecast? Don't take the chance when you install smart sprinkler systems. By automatically adjusting the output based on external conditions, you'll avoid drowning your lawn. This appliance is controlled by an app and highly recommended for anyone who prizes their garden or lawn.

Smart Plugs

It's easy to leave the light on when you leave a room. A smart plug gives you the option of controlling your electricity even when you're not home so that you don't have to pay the bills for one simple mistake. Whether you go to the store for an hour or on vacation for a week, you get total peace of mind. Plus, you can use smart plugs to make it look like someone is there even if they're not.

People invest in smart home technology for many reasons, but a common one is because they're looking to actually make more money than they spend. When you prioritize efficiency with better technology, you can cut back on your utility bills.

About the Author
Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!