You don’t have to spend a lot of money to add technology to an old home. In fact, many smart gadgets let you add new technology in stages, which means you can spread out the cost over time. From home cleaning to bathroom shower, nowadays you can use technology everywhere. If you want to update your home without spending a lot of money, get these three smart gadgets.
Smart Showerhead
Image via Flickr by numb3r
Reducing the amount of water that you use while taking showers can help the environment and decrease the strain that your city’s sewage system experiences. Adding a smart showerhead to your bathroom makes it easier for you to know how much water you use.
The Hydrao Smart Shower uses LEDs to tell you how much water you use while showering. Each time the light flashes, you know that you have used a certain amount of water. The smart thing about this showerhead is that you can use your mobile device to personalize your water alerts. Some people may want a reminder when they’ve used five gallons of water. Others may want reminders after they’ve used 10 gallons.
The Hydrao doesn’t require batteries to do its job. It uses the flow of water to generate its own power.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats make it easy to keep your home perfectly comfortable without spending more money on energy. Depending on the kind of thermostat that you buy, the device could learn your schedule so that it adjusts the temperature to meet your needs. If you usually get out of bed at 7 a.m., then the thermostat will start to warm your house a little before then. If you leave for work at 8 a.m., the thermostat will adjust the temperature so that it doesn’t use as much energy while you’re gone.
As great as smart thermostats are, they work well only when you have an efficient furnace. It’s a good idea to have a professional install your new furnace and give it annual maintenance.
Motion-Sensing Power Strip
You probably have a few power strips around your home. Without them, you’d have a hard time finding enough outlets for your computer, television, stereo, and other devices. Motion-sensing power strips do the same job, but they offer an extra benefit.
TrickleStar makes a motion-sensing power strip that gives you access to two types of outlets. One type is for essential items, such as your computer. The other type is for peripherals, such as your monitor and printer. As long as you are in the room, all your devices will stay on. If the motion sensor doesn’t detect your presence after 30 minutes, though, the power strip will turn off your peripheral items. Your computer will stay on, but you’ll save electricity by shutting off accessories. It’s one of the simplest ways to lower your energy use.
Any of these three smart gadgets can make your home feel high-tech without forcing you to spend much money. Over time, you might want to accumulate more smart devices until your home catches up with the latest technology.
You Might Also Like: Technology For Teachers