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The price of installing smart home technology has decreased and accessibility has increased over the last several years. The term “internet of things” is becoming more popular these days. The installation of smart home features in your property will not only make it easier and more cost-effective for you to live there, but they will also make it more desirable to private buyers on the market. According to the findings of a survey on buyers’ trends conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), this generation accounts for the biggest proportion of prospective property purchasers. As a result, you can’t afford to dismiss this particular market.

What exactly is a technology for the smart home?

Smart thermostats

At the very least, programmable thermostats have been available since the 1950s. The difficulty, however, is that the majority of the basic clock-type thermostats are difficult to operate and difficult to figure out. Because they can determine whether you are there or absent and make adjustments to the temperature settings of your house appropriately, the more modern thermostats eliminate the need for any guessing and, in fact, the majority of the thinking involved in the process. The Nest smart thermostat, which presently costs $249 but is projected to save users an average of $173 per year on their energy bills, is one of the most popular smart thermostats. This is one of the most well-liked pieces of technology for the smart home, and it is essential for linked homes.

Smart Smoke Detector

Another product of intelligent technology, the smart smoke detector, has the potential not only to save you money (about 5% on your insurance premiums) but also to save your life in the event of a fire. According to a news report from CBS, a figure indicating that two-thirds of all home fire fatalities occur in residences where the smoke detectors are missing or disabled is cited. This is something that many of us have resorted to at one time or another out of sheer frustration when our typical “dumb” detector insists on shrieking an alarm every time we try to fry up some bacon. You will be able to continue frying without having to worry about being interrupted if you have a smart detection. The Birdie and the Nest Protect are two examples of such devices; in addition to monitoring smoke, they monitor levels of carbon dioxide and the quality of the air in the surrounding area. They are even able to give you a notification on your mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet if anything goes wrong. These items may be purchased at a retail price of $119 and $99, respectively. At the very least, programmable thermostats have been available since the 1950s. The difficulty, however, is that the majority of the basic clock-type thermostats are difficult to operate and difficult to figure out. Because they can determine whether you are there or absent and make adjustments to the temperature settings of your house appropriately, the more modern thermostats eliminate the need for any guessing and, in fact, the majority of the thinking involved in the process. The Nest smart thermostat, which presently costs $249 but is projected to save users an average of $173 per year on their energy bills, is one of the most popular smart thermostats. This is one of the most well-liked pieces of technology for the smart home, and it is essential for linked homes.

Smart Door Locks

If you have a smart door lock, you won’t ever have to fish around in your pocket for a key again, and you won’t have to resort to concealing an extra key in a fake plastic rock either. Instead, these gadgets that are equipped with WIFI and/or Bluetooth may, with the help of your smartphone, automatically identify when you come home and open the door as soon as you are standing outside. In addition, you may design them to provide access only to certain visitors, such as members of your family, close friends, or real estate agents. This is a convenient feature. One of these devices, the August Smart Lock, which costs 249.99 dollars, even has a feature that could be of particular use to home sellers. This feature is called the Guestbook function, and it allows you to send a message through the app to any potential visitors or real estate agents with advice or instructions for showing your home. The Guestbook function is one of the features that is included in the August Smart Lock. Due to the bidirectional nature of this service, your realtor will also be able to provide feedback for you in return. At the very least, programmable thermostats have been available since the 1950s. The difficulty, however, is that the majority of the basic clock-type thermostats are difficult to operate and difficult to figure out. Because they can determine whether you are there or absent and make adjustments to the temperature settings of your house appropriately, the more modern thermostats eliminate the need for any guessing and, in fact, the majority of the thinking involved in the process. The Nest smart thermostat, which presently costs $249 but is projected to save users an average of $173 per year on their energy bills, is one of the most popular smart thermostats. This is one of the most well-liked pieces of technology for the smart home, and it is essential for linked homes.

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Smart Sprinkler Control

If you live in an area where you routinely need to water your lawn during the summer months, investing in a sprinkler system that is both efficient and intelligent may save you a lot of time and energy, not to mention money. Your sprinkler system will be automatically adjusted to account for the season as well as the weather if you have one of these devices, which can be configured using a computer or an app on your smartphone. The manufacturers of one such system, the Rachio Iro, say that their product may save the majority of customers more than thirty per cent on the amount of water they use for outdoor activities. However, some users report cutting their water costs by as much as sixty per cent.

Smart Lightings

According to Energy Star, the cost of lighting your house accounts for around 12% of the yearly energy bill for your home, which works out to approximately $264 per year. Even while it may not seem like much, even a small amount adds up over time, and advanced technology can assist you in making decisions that are “better.” You can effortlessly turn lights on and off using your smartphone, and you can also programme them to execute particular behaviors like as gradually increasing brighter as you wake up or shutting off automatically whenever you leave the house using smart lighting dimmer and sensor systems. By acting as a motion detector and making it less dangerous for you to walk about in your well-lit yard at night, intelligent outdoor lighting may also assist raise the overall level of safety and security surrounding your home. With the installation of a combined dimmer and sensor system, Lutron lighting systems estimate an annual savings of sixty per cent. However, the amount of energy you save may vary depending on how you use the system. At the very least, programmable thermostats have been available since the 1950s. The difficulty, however, is that the majority of the basic clock-type thermostats are difficult to operate and difficult to figure out. Because they can determine whether you are there or absent and make adjustments to the temperature settings of your house appropriately, the more modern thermostats eliminate the need for any guessing and, in fact, the majority of the thinking involved in the process. The Nest smart thermostat, which presently costs $249 but is projected to save users an average of $173 per year on their energy bills, is one of the most popular smart thermostats. This is one of the most well-liked pieces of technology for the smart home, and it is essential for linked homes.

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Smart Solar Panels

Solar technology, on its own, is a very astute method for powering your house since it is clean, green, and an unlimited source of renewable energy. However, the most recent innovations in the solar sector involve the creation of gizmos like smart junction boxes. These boxes make it possible to monitor the performance of individual panels or even a whole array in the event of an emergency like a tornado or fire. Solar America believes that the installation of solar panels will save you more than $1,500 annually on your power costs, while the United States Department of Energy determined that installing solar panels can enhance the value of your property by $15,000 when it comes time to sell it. Installing solar panels may be rather dear, with the typical installation costing somewhere about $10,000; however, there are federal tax credit schemes that can lower the cost by around 30%. At the very least, programmable thermostats have been available since the 1950s. The difficulty, however, is that the majority of the basic clock-type thermostats are difficult to operate and difficult to figure out. Because they can determine whether you are there or absent and make adjustments to the temperature settings of your house appropriately, the more modern thermostats eliminate the need for any guessing and, in fact, the majority of the thinking involved in the process. The Nest smart thermostat, which presently costs $249 but is projected to save users an average of $173 per year on their energy bills, is one of the most popular smart thermostats. This is one of the most well-liked pieces of technology for the smart home, and it is essential for linked homes.

FAQS

Does Using Smart Home Technology to Raise the Value of Your Home?

Even though the return on investment for each of these enhancements varies, there is no question that each of these services is a benefit that is guaranteed to appeal to house buyers whenever you want to sell your property. Speaking of making better decisions, when the time comes for you to sell your home, be sure to check out top companies. Here, we are also committed to making your life easier by putting you in touch with the very best real estate agents for your specific requirements.

What makes smart houses the new future?

Because of this, people’s perspectives on their houses, the possessions they keep there, and the ways they use the resources available to them are changing. More and more consumers want goods, services, and surroundings that facilitate their new multi-modal lifestyles by providing easy transitions between modes. Now that we have gadgets in every room, information can be found everywhere. Our houses are now equipped to monitor everything from environmental noise and air quality to energy use. Devices like smart doorbells allow our smart homes to learn our routines and keep tabs on the world outside our front doors.

 

If you often misplace your keys or just don’t want to answer the door when it rings, investing in a top-tier smart lock is a no-brainer.

Certain smart locks can send you real-time alerts if you forget to lock the front door, making them a useful addition to any home security system.

Smart locks allow you to get entry to your home using biometric information such as your fingerprint or a mobile app rather than a traditional key. In addition, you may generate special, encrypted guest codes to send to trustworthy employees, relatives, and friends.

Whatever your financial situation, we hope this guide will help you pick the perfect smart lock for your house. We have evaluated not only their technological merits, but also their ease of setup and use, and their compatibility with other smart home gadgets.

Yale x Nest

Only compatible with other Nest smart home devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest’s line of home security cameras (including the Nest Cam Outdoor), the Nest x Yale lock is our top pick.

The Nest x Yale lock is easy to use, has a sleek design, and comes in three different finishes (Satin Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Polished Brass) to accommodate any taste.

Simple to install, it eliminates the need for keys by replacing them with a keypad that allows entry without using them. If your keys are often getting lost because they are stuffed in your pockets or handbag, this is perfect for you.

The ability to lock the door with the push of the Yale emblem pleased us during testing. The interface of the program was also quite easy to understand and utilize for us.

Kwikset’s Obsidian smart lock

Kwikset’s Obsidian smart lock is sleek and modern. It fits flush against the door for a sleek appearance, and its shiny finish makes any entrance more sophisticated.

The only way in is via a touchscreen that requires a PIN to unlock. Up to 16 additional user accounts may be created for close friends and family.

Secure Screen, a unique Kwikset security feature, hides the locations of your fingerprints and other touches on the screen so no one can see when you enter your code (it generates random digits that you have to press before entering your actual entry code).

This is done so that the code cannot be copied by only glancing at the location of fingerprint smudges. Even though it’s compatible with Alexa, neither HomeKit nor Google Assistant is supported.

If you’re looking for a smart lock that won’t draw attention to itself, go no further than the August Smart Lock Pro. From the outside, it seems like nothing is there at all.

The smart lock we tested unlocked itself when we were within 20 to 30 feet, allowing us to enter easily and without using a key. Of course, your regular locks and keys will still work as usual.

The August Connect bridge is required to use the full functionality of the August Smart Lock Pro; nevertheless, it is included in the purchase price of the lock. It’s more costly than other smart locks on the market, but we recommend it because of its superior security.

 

Smart Schlage Sensing Lock

The Schlage Sense is the greatest smart lock if you often have visitors while you’re not there since the app can create (and remove after they’ve been used) codes so guests can get entry to the home without a key.

The Schlage Sense is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit and requires little setup to allow you management of your lock from any iOS device, including the Apple TV, iPad, and HomePod.

You can also use your voice to open and lock the smartphone thanks to the lock’s compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It’s a little cumbersome, however.

Finally, we discovered that the app is clumsy to use and that you’ll need some tolerance for intermittent connection failures.

Yale Conexis L2

With the success of Yale’s Conexis L1 Smart Door Lock, the company released the Yale Conexis L2. It was introduced at the beginning of the year 2022 to provide extra ease of use via supplementary remote features.

Everything a homeowner needs to remotely provide access to their property is included, and it can be monitored remotely using the Yale Access App.

In the event the door suddenly unlocks, you may be notified immediately. One thing we can’t wait to try out is utilizing voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa to check the door’s status and open or lock it without requiring a key.

We are also interested in the convenience of sending and receiving virtual keys that we may provide to loved ones in case we get locked out of the home.

August’s Smart Lock

Smart locks are fast becoming a household essential, and the August Smart Lock’s price decrease comes at a time when they are still among the most expensive smart home products available.

It’s made by a reputable company, and it’s packed with useful extras to boot. It has the standard auto-lock and auto-unlock features, but we like the ability to program temporary guest keys for use with visitors or new employees.

The Apple Watch can also serve as a key, which is convenient if you’re a minimalist like us and want to leave your house without locking your door.

Procedure to evaluate electronic door locks

We rank the best smart locks based on how simple they are to set up and manage. We also test how quickly they respond to commands when we’re not in the immediate vicinity, such as locking and unlocking the door.

Whether or whether the smart lock is compatible with Amazon, Google Assistant, or Siri, and how well the corresponding voice assistant reacts to requests to operate the smart lock, are additional factors we evaluate.

We also look at how long each model lasts, how sturdy it is, and whether or not there are any optional extras, like hubs, for the smart lock.

We also take into account whether or not you need to read a lengthy manual before using it, whether or not you can use it with a key in case the Wi-Fi network is, and whether or not you can give friends and family temporary access.

Tips for picking the right smart lock

When deciding on the best smart lock for your needs, there are many factors to think about. While some smart locks connect with your phone through Bluetooth, locking the door requires physical proximity to your device.

So, let’s say you’re the kind of person who often forgets basic safety measures like locking the door. In such a circumstance, having Wi-Fi built-in or using a bridge to connect to the internet and transmit instructions from the cloud is essential for locking and unlocking the door while you are not physically present at the house.

There is a broad variety of smart locks available, from traditional-looking devices that conceal their smarts to futuristic designs with keypads and touchscreens, so it’s important to think about how the lock’s aesthetic will mesh with your existing décor.

Always double-check that the smart lock you’re considering is compatible with your voice assistant of choice and that it works with the rest of your smart home equipment, such as your favorite home security cameras, video doorbells, and smart lighting.

Think about whether or not you’ll want to provide temporary access to the lock to friends and family, and whether or not the smart lock provides activity logs so you can check who has entered the residence and when.

We have also compiled a comprehensive guide about smart locks for those who are unfamiliar with them.

 

In what way do electronic door locks function?

Keyless smart locks link to your home Wi-Fi and allow you to unlock the door with your smartphone. Furthermore, some models have a keypad where you may input a code to access the safe.

Furthermore, most modern smart locks are compatible with digital assistants that recognize voice commands, such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home.

Some smart locks are designed to replace your current lock, in which case you’ll need some DIY experience to get them set up, while others are designed to just fit over your existing lock.

When combined with other smart home hubs like the finest smart speakers and smart screens, home automation becomes a reality.

You may lock your smart lock and arm your home security cameras with a single command or at a predetermined period, such as when you leave the house or go to bed.

If you already have a well-established smart home, you should make sure a smart lock is compatible with your existing voice assistant and smart home hub before making a purchase.

When it comes to electronic door locks, what are the options?

It’s a good idea to compare your alternatives before settling on a specific smart lock for your house. Deadbolt locks and multipoint locks are the two most common forms of security hardware.

Of them, the former is more common and accessible, but both have their advantages and disadvantages, as you can see. Both are borrowed from the realm of conventional door locks but serve much the same purpose here.

The deadbolt lock is the simpler option since it only entails a bolt that closes behind your back and may be locked or unlocked through your smart lock system.

Multi-point locks, often known as lever locks, use more than one bolt for added security. They are more common on newer doors or on doors where the handle must be lifted to lock. Deadbolts, in general, are more flexible and simpler to replace with smart locks.

Are battery replacements necessary for electronic locks?

The finest smart locks often include built-in rechargeable battery packs that can be recharged via a USB-C connection, however, other systems still use them.

AA alkaline batteries or equivalent need to be replaced sometimes. But they are becoming less prevalent, and smart locks often don’t drain their batteries too quickly.

 

Whether or not smart locks can be hacked?

Like any other internet-connected gadget, smart locks are vulnerable to hacking. Good security measures will reduce the danger, however.

Always update the smart lock’s default password if one is provided, and use a strong, unique password that includes both upper- and lower-case letters, digits, and symbols.

Furthermore, be sure it doesn’t include anything that might be used to identify you. Furthermore, make sure your home Wi-Fi is protected by a robust password and that any smart locks you use have the most recent software installed.

While the water resistance of most current smartphones is a great feature, it doesn’t imply that they’re completely safe from damage caused by moisture and liquids. If your iPhone displays the message “Liquid Detected” or “charging not available,” you need to take immediate action to avoid causing harm to your device.

What Should Not Be Done?

Let’s start with what you shouldn’t do before we get into what you should do if you notice this warning for liquid detection:

• When using certain versions of iOS, DO NOT hit the Emergency Override button unless you are very certain that there is NO liquid present.
• It is not recommended to use compressed air to clean the Lightning charging port.
• It is strongly recommended that you refrain from attempting to utilize any other Lightning accessory with your phone.
• It is important to refrain from inserting cotton swabs or any other absorbent objects into the port.
• Avoid putting your iPhone in rice at any cost. Seriously.
• Do not make the mistake of attempting to dry the port or cable by applying heat, such as using a hair drier.

The single most crucial thing to keep in mind is to calm down and exercise some patience. We wish to fix the issue without making the phone damaged even more!

Take the Cable Out of It.

If you get this message after connecting to a Charging cable, unplug the cord from your device as soon as possible. This not only decreases the likelihood of an electrical short (although the iPhone is already protecting itself), but it also reduces the amount of time that will be required to dry things up if a liquid was the cause of the problem.

Stop responding to the popup.

Even if you shouldn’t use the Emergency Override option right away, you may go ahead and use the Dismiss button without any worries. This removes the warning notice but also prevents current from flowing via the port.

You may continue to use your phone as normal if there is sufficient juice left in the battery, and you can attempt to charge it again later when the port has dried up, however, there are certain things you can do to speed up the process.

Put Down Your Phone.

It is in your best interest to shut down your mobile device to save the little amount of battery life you have until you can charge it again. This may also help prevent more damage caused by water getting inside.

Shake Out Excess Liquid

You should make an effort to eliminate any extra liquid from your port by the stated instructions provided by Apple. The term “excess” liquid refers to droplets of liquid that are visible to the naked eye, not the very thin layer of moisture that causes something to be wet.

After you have removed your cable from the port, give the rear of your phone a good hard tap against the palm of your hand while the port is facing down. This will remove any extra moisture that may be present in the port.

You may need to repeat this step many times until it is obvious that the phone is no longer emitting any droplets. After removing any extra liquid, you should give it rest for at least half an hour before giving it another shot. If the issue persists, your phone requires more time to dry off completely.

Let the Air Dry Out Your Port

The most efficient method for drying up your port is to let nature run its course and do what it does best. If you place the phone in an area that does not have an excessive amount of humidity but does have adequate ventilation, the liquid that is contained inside the phone should evaporate into the air over a few hours.

If at all feasible, the port should be oriented such that it faces downward so that gravity may assist in the drying process more quickly. It is also possible to utilize silica gel packets, in addition to other dry dehumidifiers, to bring the humidity level in the storage area down.

Avoid exposing your phone to direct sunlight or keeping it close to an artificial heat source. This might cause harm to your device and, in the worst-case scenario, even start a fire in the battery.

Make sure that your charging port is clean.

Apple gives a stern warning against attempting to insert anything into the Lightning connector, such as cotton swabs, and particularly against inserting anything conductive, such as metal pins.

However, in our experience, both USB-C and Lightning connectors collect detritus such as lint throughout their lifetimes. This debris can collect water and keep it for an extended time, not to mention causing your Lightning plug to not fit properly.

Use a flashlight to look into the Lightning port and see if there is any junk lurking around in there.

After that, you may remove any debris carefully using a thin, blunt, non-conductive item, but you do so at your peril. Toothpicks made of flat plastic seem to be the most effective option.

Make sure the lightning plug is dry.

It’s easy to forget that this issue has two sides; the other being the plug that goes into the port. But there are two sides to this issue. There is no use in drying out your port since you will just have to replace the dry plug with a wet one and repeat the process all over again. To dry your lighting plug, you may use an absorbent cloth or another material of a similar kind.

Keep it in a place with a low humidity level alongside your phone itself, and allow both the phone and the case an equal amount of time to dry out.

When it comes to cable plugs, water can get entrapped between the plastic shroud and the metal connection. There is a possibility that certain third-party charging cables employ a woven material that can absorb liquids.

Consider Using a Distinct Charger

The “liquid detected in Lightning connection” warning may be a false positive in certain instances. A third-party cable or charger is a typical source of this false positive.

If you are aware that both your cable and port are dry, you should try using genuine Apple gear or hardware that has been approved by MFi to rule out the possibility that the problem is caused by a design flaw. There are a lot of aftermarket Lightning cables and chargers that aren’t approved and have poor construction on websites like Amazon.

Make use of a wireless charging device.

Even if the Lightning connector on your iPhone isn’t accepting any power at the moment, this does not necessarily imply that your phone is going to die. If you have an iPhone X or a later model, you can still charge it wirelessly, even though Apple discontinued the feature. Because of this, you may continue to use your phone even if the problem takes a long time to be resolved, which is an exceptionally helpful feature.

Simply restart your device.

 

You should try restarting the device if, after fully drying off the port and the cable, you continue to get the error when you attempt to plug in your phone. Users of the iPhone have reported that this has resolved the issue in situations when there was no real water present and the problem was merely a bug.

When using an iPhone that has a home button, press and holds the side button until you get a message that says “Slide to power off,” and then slide the power switch to the right.

If you have a more recent iPhone that does not have a home button, you will need to press the side button as well as the volume up button at the same time to access the Slide to turn off the message option.

To restart the phone, you must push the button on the side until the Apple logo appears. This must be done in any scenario.

 

Using the Emergency Override Button Correctly

So, either you don’t have an iPhone that supports wireless charging or you don’t have access to a device that supports wireless charging. You have an emergency where the phone has to be charged right away, and you are tempted to click the Emergency Override button to restart the power supply. Do you think so?

You should go ahead and activate the emergency override if you are one hundred per cent positive that this is a false alert and there is no liquid in the port. In a similar vein, if you have allowed sufficient time for the phone to dry out, it may be okay to hit that button.

Nevertheless, you do it at your peril since allowing power to flow while the liquid is in the connection might result in an electrical short and irreversibly harm your phone. If you do this, your phone will be ruined.

Possible Indications of Damage Caused by Liquids

The presence of water in the port of your iPhone may be only a symptom of more extensive water damage. This larger damage, which may often go undetected, might be steadily causing harm to your phone over time by penetrating the device or causing corrosion.

Even if the rating for your phone indicates that it is water resistant, this characteristic will not be present until after you have removed it from its packaging for the first time.

Seals that are supposed to keep liquid from leaking into areas where they shouldn’t be are at risk of breaking down over time if they are subjected to normal wear and tear. That isn’t a significant worry if the phone never gets wet, but the day it falls into a pool of water is the day you’ll know the seals have failed for good. If the phone never gets wet, it won’t be a problem.

 

Apple has included a liquid contact indicator (also known as an LCI) in every iPhone model produced after 2006, and the company provides a table that details the placement of the LCI in each model that has one.

There are additional telltale signals that your phone does not have an LCI. Moisture that may be seen below the protective glass on the interior of the camera is a sign that the camera has been damaged by water.

The physical buttons on your phone may cease functioning, and the sound coming out of its speakers might become distorted. There is a strong risk that your phone has sustained damage from a liquid that is irreversible if it has been entirely or partly submerged in water, particularly salt water.

Send Your Phone to Company So That It Can Be Checked

If you are unable to remedy the problem on your own or have reason to believe that water damage has occurred, you should contact Apple as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for a professional examination at an Apple store.

After opening the phone, an Apple support specialist will swiftly determine whether or not the device has been damaged by water. If there is no evidence of water damage, the expert may be able to repair the Lightning port.

If your phone is insured, you may also be covered for repairs or replacements if it sustains water damage.

Unfortunately, the Apple Care Plus guarantee does not cover damage caused by water, however, there may be a considerable reduction in the cost of repairing or replacing the device in comparison to what it would have been without the cover.