How to Get a Smart Home for Less

Smart technology has become an ever-present part of our lives, so it was only a matter of time before our homes became as smart as our phones.

A smart home is one that features lighting, heating, and other electronic devices that are connected to the internet and enable you to better control how your energy is used, as you’re able to monitor your usage and program devices to reflect your daily schedule.

Modern homes don’t generally come equipped with smart technology, but you can install most smart devices yourself relatively easily. However, making your home smart can become prohibitively expensive if you’re looking to outfit your home with cutting-edge technology.

That said, there are many quality smart devices that will deliver you the convenience of the modern smart home without busting your budget. Here are some budget options for smartening up your home.

Smart lights, camera, action!

If you’re like the many of us who have the bad habit of leaving the lights on, then a smart lighting system could be a perfect solution for you. Smart lighting allows you to control your indoor and outdoor lighting system via your smartphone or other smart device, like your Amazon Echo or Google Home.

Smart lights are easy to install and have become relatively inexpensive in recent years, with many hovering around $20 per bulb. Simply replace an old bulb with a smart version, install the accompanying software, and you’re ready to go. Some smart bulbs even give you the ability to dim the lights, while more high-end bulbs let you change the color, track motion, and even play music over bluetooth.

Smart home security cameras have also come down in price over the past few years and have subsequently become popular among homeowners. For less than $150, you can purchase a smart camera from FLIR FX, Vimtag, or D-Link, which all allow you to view the camera’s HD footage from your smartphone, adjust angles, and transmit audio.

Don’t (need to) touch the thermostat

Many of us grew up with parents who protected the thermostat like the Queen’s guard. Smart thermometers are a parent’s dream, as they allow you to adjust your home’s temperature from your phone or smart device. Some smart thermometers, such as Google’s Nest, even use machine learning to auto-program a schedule that adjusts with your needs and leads to lower energy bills.

While smart thermometer technology seems space-age, the price is actually quite down to Earth. You can get an entry-level Google Nest system for as little as $110, while there are other less expensive models also available, like the Honeywell Lyric T-5 or the iDevices smart thermostat. All smart thermometers work with Amazon Alexa systems, so you can control your home’s temperature without ever having to push a button.

Vantage West can help your home get smart

If you’re looking to smarten up your home, Vantage West can help you finance your education costs. With a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) from Vantage West, you can leverage your home’s equity to upgrade your living space into the 21st century and save money on your energy bills. With low rates and convenient borrowing terms, your home won’t be the only thing that’s smart. Vantage West Credit Union offers HELOCs starting at $10,000 for qualified Arizona homeowners.

Loans subject to approval. Mortgage options subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions may apply. NMLS #485751