If there’s one thing Texans learned in 2021, it’s not to underestimate a harsh winter. With temperatures gearing up to take a plunge, the time has come for busy homeowners to stop and evaluate the current state of their smart home. Is your smart home equipped to take on a freeze? While it can be nice to cuddle up on the couch and get cozy while the air outside turns freezing, homeowners have a lot to consider when it comes to weatherproofing their homes. And the sooner they start thinking about winter prepping, the better.
The truth is that freezing temperatures have the potential to wreak havoc on your home (and health) if you’re not properly equipped with the necessities. Luckily, today’s generation of smart homes are often strong enough to tackle even the most frigid of temperatures. If you are hoping to get your home geared up for the winter, it’s time to take a look at what you can do to make the season safer and more comfortable for you and your loved ones.
Smart thermostats
There is a lot riding on your home’s temperature. Did you know that room temperature even has the power to affect sleep? Your thermostat temperature is important year-round, but especially so during a harsh winter. Smart thermostats compatible with your smart home can make a world of difference when it comes to your comfort level. For example, with a smart thermostat, you can program your unit to turn off and on during times when it’s most needed. If everyone in your home for work and school during the daytime, it might be a good idea to program your AC/heater unit to rest until evening. This will help save energy and ensure your AC/heating system isn’t constantly overworking itself. You can also adjust temperatures as needed from the comfort of the couch if you see fit. In the long run, smart thermostats are a matter of both savings and convenience. In fact, the cost savings associated with a smart thermostat are often too significant to ignore.
Automatic blinds
Automatic blinds, in addition to a more modern look and feel, can help you save money on your electricity bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standard windows can lose 10% more energy without any type of window treatment. Double-pane energy-efficient windows can make a big difference when it comes to how well your home cools down and heats up. It’s been found that these can increase the R-factor of a home by 77%. If you are hoping to winter-proof your smart home in a way that does double-duty for cost-savings, automatic blinds may be a great way to go. Plus, some models even allow you to customize your system by temperature or by time, allowing for greater convenience.
Automatic water heaters
Among the many gadgets there are to elevate your smart home experience, automatic water heaters are often overlooked. But much to the surprise of new smart homeowners, automatic water heaters have the potential to save money and energy, all with just the simple press of a button. Much like with automatic blinds, your water heater can be programmed to shut off during times when not typically in use. This means less wasted energy, and much more chance of your water heater going the distance.
There is no greater time than now to take full advantage of your smart home’s capabilities. If you are anticipating freezing temperatures in the near future, you can remain confident that there are an ever-increasing number of smart home gadgets to make harsh winters all the more bearable.