When moving into a new home in Birmingham, Alabama, it can be overwhelming to think of all the improvements you’d like to make. Upgrading to a smart home is an excellent way to enhance the efficiency and enjoyment of your new space. Smart home technology has come a long way in recent years, and with the Internet of Things (IoT), your connected devices can now talk to each other.

Smart homes allow you to automate many tasks, from adjusting the temperature to ensuring you never forget to lock your doors. With so many options, deciding which smart home upgrades are best for your new house can be hard.

Here are five must-have smart home upgrades you should consider before moving to your new house.

1. A Smart Refrigerator

Gone are the days of opening the refrigerator door to see what’s inside and wondering if you have enough milk for tomorrow’s breakfast. Refrigerators are no longer just refrigerators. These days, they can do so much more than keep food cold. Smart refrigerators automatically keep track of the food in your fridge, so you never run out.

They come with many features, such as touchscreens, so you can easily access recipes, order groceries, watch your favorite shows, or even play games. These refrigerators can be connected to voice assistants such as Google Home or Alexa, allowing for hands-free convenience. It also allows you to check what items you have in your fridge without opening it, thanks to built-in cameras that give you a live view of its interior.

Advantages of Smart Refrigerators:

** Improved energy efficiency — Features such as door alarms alert you when the door is left open and automatic defrost, reducing energy consumption.

** Greater food safety — Sensors monitor temperature levels and alert you if it rises above recommended levels, thus helping maintain better food quality for longer periods.

** Odor Removal — Certain models have air filters that remove odors from the fridge’s interior to ensure your food stays fresh and safe to consume over extended periods.

2. Automated Lighting

Automated lights are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi and can be controlled with voice commands or an app. You can easily switch lights off and on, dim them, or change the color of the light with just a few taps or voice commands. One can also set up automated schedules for when you want the lights to turn on and off throughout the day, providing added security when no one is home.

This technology works in tandem with sensors that detect motion and automatically turn certain lights on when someone enters a room. This feature helps save energy while still providing illumination when needed.

3. Smart Thermostats

Unlike standard non-programmable thermostats, smart thermostats can learn your habits and adjust the temperature based on your current needs and daily routines. These devices can also be controlled remotely through a smartphone app and will alert you if the air conditioning or heat isn’t working.

Smart thermostats also have advanced features such as remote access, allowing you to control your thermostat anywhere with an internet connection. With some models, you can even set up geofencing (a virtual perimeter for an area), automatically adjusting the temperature depending on whether someone is home or away. These appliances are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing easy hands-free control of your heating and cooling system.

Advantages of Smart Thermostats:

** Built-in energy-saving features include auto-adjusting temperatures according to your home’s activity levels.

** Get notifications when temperatures fall outside of pre-set parameters.

** Get detailed data on energy consumption patterns.

4. Robot Vacuum Cleaners

Robot vacuum cleaners are increasingly becoming a must-have for modern households. They offer convenience and autonomy that traditional vacuums can’t match. By connecting to WiFi, they can be controlled remotely through apps or voice commands, allowing you to schedule cleanings while you’re away from home. They also feature sensors that help them navigate around furniture and other obstacles in your home, helping them clean efficiently and effectively.

Some robot vacuum cleaners even come with mopping capabilities, so your floors will always remain spotless. Akin to other smart devices, they can be paired with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home so that you can control your cleaning sessions with simple voice commands.

5. Smart Lawn Mower

With a smart mower, homeowners can easily control everything from their smartphone, including when and where it will mow. These devices have features like obstacle detection, which can sense when approaching an object or person, automatically adjusting its path to avoid running into them.

They can be programmed for specific cutting patterns and even be set on a timer so that your lawn looks freshly cut at all times without any manual effort required. Since these devices have rain sensors, they return to their charging station while raining and return to the lawn when it’s dry. Pretty smart! Isn’t it?

Final Words:

Smart home upgrades can be expensive but add convenience and value. Before you move into your new home in Birmingham, Alabama, it’s important to prioritize the aforementioned upgrades that will best suit your lifestyle and needs.