Home Tech Improvements For Busy Lifestyles

Home Tech Improvements For Busy Lifestyles

A busy lifestyle looks different for everyone. A lot of activities and commitments that leave little time for rest or relaxation. This can include working long hours, having a packed schedule of social or recreational activities, and managing multiple responsibilities or obligations. Many of these managing responsibilities and obligations that go beyond the expectancies of living in a home. 

Many people who lead busy lifestyles may feel overwhelmed or stressed due to the demands on their time and energy. It can be helpful to find ways to manage your time and prioritize tasks in order to reduce stress and maintain a healthy balance. You can always find ways to improve your living in the comfort of your own home, and away from it. We have listed some of the latest and most appreciated digital tech features and worth considering to add to your future or current existing home. 

Bluetooth Irrigation System

A home irrigation system is a system that is installed in a home garden or lawn to provide a consistent and efficient method of watering plants and grass. There are several types of home irrigation systems, including:

Sprinkler systems: These systems use a network of pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads to distribute water evenly across a lawn or garden.

Drip irrigation systems: These systems use small tubes or hoses with emitters that release water directly onto the soil near the plants, reducing water waste and erosion.

Handheld hose: A handheld hose is a flexible hose with a nozzle that can be manually directed to water specific areas of the garden.

Soaker hose: A soaker hose is a hose with small holes or pores that allows water to seep slowly into the soil along its length.

Bucket or watering can: A bucket or watering can can be used to manually water plants and flowers.

Before installing an irrigation system, it's important to consider the size and layout of your garden, as well as the water needs of your plants. You should also consider local water restrictions and the cost of installation and maintenance.

Heated Driveway

If you’re Canadian, you are familiar with snowstorms. A heated driveway can be a game changer. It’s a driveway that has been designed with a heating system to melt snow and ice during the winter months. There are several types of heated driveways, including:

Electric heated driveways: These driveways use electric heating elements that are embedded in the driveway surface to melt snow and ice. 

Hydronic heated driveways: These driveways use a system of tubes or cables that circulate hot water or antifreeze to heat the driveway surface.

Solar heated driveways: These driveways use solar panels to generate electricity that is used to heat the driveway surface.

This limits the need to shoveling and snow blowing during or after snow falls and freezing rain. Of course, it does not eliminate the need for salting the front steps or clearing of the back porch, yet it saves a tremendous amount of time and effort. Heated driveways can be a convenient and efficient way to keep your driveway clear of snow and ice, but they can also be expensive to install and operate. Before installing a heated driveway, it's important to consider the cost, the size of your driveway, and your local climate. You should also be mindful of any potential safety hazards and make sure that the heating system is properly maintained.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is a device that allows you to control the temperature in your home or office using your smartphone or other smart device. Smart thermostats can be programmed to adjust the temperature based on your schedule, preferences, and location, and they can also be controlled remotely using an app or web interface. Some smart thermostats can even learn your preferences over time and adjust the temperature automatically.

The design is meant to be energy efficient, and they can help you save money on your energy bills by reducing your heating and cooling costs. They can also provide valuable insights into your energy usage and suggest ways to optimize your energy consumption.

There are great advantages to this type of system that can be appreciated. You can have that compatibility with your heating and cooling system, as well as any additional features that may be important to you, such as energy reports, voice control, or integration with other smart home devices.

Automatic Generator

Most useful during a power outage. A home generator is a device that generates electricity to power your home in the event of a power outage. Home generators can be powered by various fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, or diesel.

There are several types of home generators to choose from, including:

Standby generators: These generators are installed permanently outside of your home and are connected to your home's electrical system. They are automatically activated when the power goes out, and they can power your entire home or just essential circuits.

Portable generators: These generators are portable and can be moved around as needed. They are powered by gasoline or propane, and they can be used to power specific appliances or devices during a power outage.

Solar generators: These generators are powered by solar panels and are designed to be environmentally friendly and quiet. They can be used to power small appliances or devices during a power outage, or they can be used as a backup power source for off-grid living.

A generator is not needed for everyone. Most people having to consider an automatic generator will likely be envisioning needing circumstances in more rural areas, more so than those living in a condominium. It's important to consider the size of your home, your power needs, and the type of fuel that is most convenient for you. You should also consider the cost of installation and maintenance, as well as any local regulations or permits that may be required. 

Smart Doorbell

A fantastic modern feature. A smart doorbell is a doorbell that is equipped with a camera and connected to the internet, allowing you to see and communicate with visitors from anywhere using your smartphone or other smart device. They are a reassuring layer for unpredictable needs of security. 

Smart doorbells can be triggered by a doorbell button press or by motion detection, and they can send a notification to your smartphone or other device when someone is at the door. Some smart doorbells also have additional features, such as two-way audio, night vision, or a siren.

These technology devices can be a convenient and secure way to monitor your home, as they allow you to see who is at the door and communicate with them without opening the door. They can also be used to deter burglars and prevent package theft.

Did you have an online package being shipped? Your friend is dropping something off? You aren’t sure who’s at the door? Have experienced these situations before? For the smart doorbell, it's important to consider the compatibility with your home's doorbell wiring and your smartphone, as well as any additional features that may be important to you. You should also consider the cost of installation and any ongoing subscription fees. We suggest doing your due diligence on which brand may be best fitting for you, your mobile devices and your home. 

Permanent Holiday Lighting

Fear of ladders or perhaps lacking time to install and remove holiday lights? This could be a charismatic feature to your home and a solution to annual holiday worries. A permanent holiday lighting system is a lighting system that is installed on the exterior of a home or building and is designed to be used for holiday or event lighting. Permanent holiday lighting systems can be either hardwired or wireless, and they can be controlled using a variety of methods, such as a remote control, a smartphone app, or a timer.

Permanent holiday lighting systems can be a convenient and efficient way to decorate for the holidays, as they eliminate the need for manual installation and removal of lights. They can also be more energy efficient than traditional holiday lighting, as they often use LED bulbs, which use less energy and have a longer lifespan.

Before installing a permanent holiday lighting system, it's important to consider the size and layout of your home or building, as well as your budget and the type of control method that you prefer. You should also consider any local regulations or building codes that may apply. It's also a good idea to have a licensed electrician install the system to ensure that it is properly connected and safe to use. There are several lighting system options and companies  that offer effects and colour shades to choose from that match your vision. 

Smart Garage Doors

Smart garage doors are garage doors that can be opened and closed remotely using a smartphone app or other smart device. They are connected to the internet and can be controlled from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

Smart garage doors can be a convenient and secure way to access your garage, as they allow you to open and close the door without the need for a physical key or remote control. They can also be set up to send notifications when the door is opened or closed, allowing you to monitor activity in your garage.

Some smart garage doors also have additional features, such as voice control, compatibility with other smart home devices, or integration with home security systems.

Before purchasing a smart garage door, it's important to consider the compatibility with your existing garage door opener, as well as any additional features that may be important to you. You should also consider the cost of installation and any ongoing subscription fees.

Automatic Blinds

Automatic blinds are window blinds that can be opened and closed using a motor or other automated mechanism. Smart shades and blinds that extend, retract, or tilt automatically are indeed a luxury, but they’re also just plain useful. They can be controlled using a variety of methods, such as a remote control, a smartphone app, or a timer.

Automatic blinds can be a convenient and efficient way to control the light and privacy in your home, as they allow you to adjust the blinds without the need for manual operation. They can also be set up to open and close automatically based on certain conditions, such as the time of day or the level of sunlight.

Considerations upon purchasing automatic blinds,  ensure to gather information on the sizing and measurements of the layout of your windows, as well as your budget and the type of control method that you prefer. You should also consider any additional features that may be important to you, such as integration with other smart home devices or energy efficiency.

Built-in Home Speakers

Set the mood for yourself, your family or your friends. Built-in speakers can be a convenient and stylish way to add audio to your home, as they can be integrated into the design of a room and can be controlled remotely. They can also be connected to other smart home devices and can be used to play music, make phone calls, or control other aspects of your home.

Built-in speakers are speakers that are installed in a permanent location, such as a wall or ceiling, and can be connected to the internet and controlled using a smartphone app or other smart devices.

The type of audio system and budget spending you have set will vary your limited feautres such as sizing and audio output. You can also consider additional features that may be important to you, such as voice control, integration with other smart home devices, or compatibility with streaming services. 

Smart Fitness Mirror

 These mirrors are different. A smart fitness mirror is a mirror that is equipped with a camera and connected to the internet, allowing you to access fitness classes and workouts using your smartphone or other smart device.

Smart fitness mirrors can be a convenient and efficient way to stay fit, as they offer a wide variety of workouts that can be customized to your fitness level and goals. They can also provide valuable feedback and tracking, allowing you to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your workouts.

Advertised as a “nearly invisible home gym,” the Mirror is a fitness device that offers a unique home workout option for people who are short on space. It features thousands of live and on-demand fitness classes, as well as personal training sessions for an additional fee. Note, many of these come with fee expenses if you consider certain subscriptions or memberships. 

Depending on the type of workouts that you have been doing, or want to do, this may be an element to consider for your home. If this type of well-being investment is of interest, additional features that may be important, such as voice control, integration with other smart home devices, or compatibility with fitness tracking apps ought to be considered. Moreover, this can be a complimentary upgrade to an already existing gym.