We're living in an age of smart homes. By 2021, more than half (55 percent) of all homes in North America are projected to be smart homes, according to a Berg Insight study.
Millennials have been especially quick to adopt smart technology, with one in every four having at least one smart home device installed.
So what's behind this tech trend?
Put simply, a desire for freedom and flexibility. People want to live life on their own terms, and smart home products help them achieve this goal. Those who use smart home technology say they save an average of 30 minutes per day.
If you're just dipping a toe into the smart home ecosystem, check out these tips for creating the ultimate smart home.
Start With a Smart Hub
A smart hub allows all your smart devices to work together. You have a world of options at your fingertips, so consider what you wish to automate before choosing between Apple, Amazon, or Google. Take a closer look at your choices in Lifewire's lineup of the year's best smart hubs.
Choose a Smart Speaker
Nearly one in five Americans has access to a smart speaker, according to Voicebot.ai. Whether you prefer Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa or Google Home, these personal assistant speakers allow you to easily add devices and give voice-activated commands. Think "Alexa, please preheat the oven to 350 degrees" or ""Siri, turn on the lights!"
If you've been dreaming of waltzing into your home and having it set at the perfect temperature, check out Lennox' line of iComfort® smart thermostats. The iComfort® S30 and E30 pair seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa and Apple's HomeKit, allowing homeowners to control their home's environment with simple voice commands.
Save Money by Adopting Smart Technology
By switching to a smart thermostat such as the iComfort® S30 or E30, you'll enjoy more than greater control over your home's temperature; you'll also save a bundle on energy bills.
The EPA estimates that smart thermostats provide homeowners a 10-12 percent savings on heating and 15 percent savings on cooling. You might even be able to recoup the thermostat cost in as little as two years.
You can also reduce your energy costs with a home zoning device such as the iHarmony™ Zoning System to redirect heating and cooling away from unused or rarely used rooms. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that zoning gives homeowners up to a 35% energy savings when used with a programmable thermostat.
Smart thermostats are a win in many regards. They optimize your home's temperature to meet your needs and can potentially provide the best return on investment of any other smart technology.
Smart home technology is here to stay. The market is projected to surpass $53 billion by 2022, according to Zion Market Research.
Do you want to make your home smarter? Let your Lennox dealer help. We offer a variety of innovative, tech-savvy products to help you create your ideal smart home.
