The Easiest Smart Home Updates You Can Install Yourself
Making your home smarter—through automated controls and voice control capabilities—can simplify household chores and save money on energy costs. If you’ve ever dreamed of living like a Jetson but thought smart tech would be too difficult to set up or too expensive for your budget, here are ten smart home upgrades you can DIY without spending money (with one notable exception) .
Decorate your entrance
A smart lock can give you peace of mind by allowing you to remotely lock or unlock your doors or let guests in. Smart login technology will allow you to set temporary passwords for guests, couriers or people performing work on your site, and these can be verified from afar to ensure everyone is secure.
Add smart locks
A Wi-Fi enabled smart lock allows you to use your fingerprint to sign in, open the lock from your smartphone, or add a code to sign in. You can lock and unlock it remotely, or choose a lock with an auto-lock feature so you don’t accidentally leave the door unlocked. Smart lock kits that you can install yourself typically cost between $70 and $300, depending on the features.
Add a smart garage door opener
A garage door can be a major safety hazard. Installing a smart garage door opener , if you already have one, is an easy DIY project you can do yourself for about $30.
Smart doors
For an entrance with built-in security, you can choose a smart door . It’s not exactly a budget upgrade (expect to spend around $5,000), but it’s one you can tackle on your own with some basic DIY skills. In this case, your entire door is equipped with smart hardware with automatic lighting, keyless lock, smart doorbell and door sensor. The door connects to an app that will alert you if your door is open and allow you to lock and unlock it remotely.
Smart use of energy
Smart upgrades to your heating and cooling systems can save you money, and tracking your energy usage can help you use less energy overall. While some systems can be difficult to install, there are many smart devices you can DIY to upgrade your home’s existing systems.
Add a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can save up to 20% on your home heating costs. It allows you to set temperature preferences based on the time of day and uses sensors to help your HVAC system operate more efficiently. You can install a DIY smart thermostat for anywhere from $70 to $350, depending on the type of thermostat and the number of sensors you need.
Install smart curtains
Using smart shades that automatically close windows when it’s hot and let in more light when it’s cold can help you save on heating costs by controlling how much heat your home absorbs from the sun. You can program smart curtains using Google Assistant, Matter, Alexa, or Z-Wave depending on your preferences.
Sharing in smart plugs
Smart plugs are very easy to “install”—just plug them into your existing outlets and connect the app. You can control lights and other electronic devices to turn on and off, and use these smart plugs to monitor the power drawn from the outlet they’re plugged into. Checking this usage can help you remember to turn off devices when you’re not using them, saving anywhere from $11 to $30 on your energy bill.
Smart lighting
Smart lighting can improve the security of your home by allowing you to turn lights on and off even when you’re not around. You can also save some energy by setting the lights to turn off automatically when no one is in the room.
Smart light bulbs
The set of smart light bulbs can be controlled from an app or by voice using the Apple Assistant or Google Home. They can be set to turn off and on at specific times of the day, or you can change them manually to fine-tune the lighting in your room. Expect to spend between $23 and $35 per set.
Smart light switches
A smart light switch is easy to install anywhere you have an existing light switch, and can be used to control lights using Google or Apple Home Assistant, a smartphone, or a wall-mounted touch sensor. The switch can be used to adapt existing dim lighting to integrate it into a smart system, and can be set to automatically turn on or off on a schedule for between $25 and $50.
Practice Smart Home Maintenance
Remembering to do all the little tasks that keep your home running efficiently can be a challenge, but there are several smart devices that can help you with this, and you can install them yourself.
Smart Furnace Filters
You can install a smart furnace filter that connects to your smartphone via an app that will alert you when it’s time to replace it. The filter sensor monitors the air flow through the filter and will tell you when the filter is full of dust and debris and needs to be replaced. This installation is as simple as finding the right size filter for your furnace and replacing it the next time it’s time to change the filter. This upgrade will cost between $30 and $70, depending on the size and type of filter used.
Smart water sensors
Leak and flood detection can save you thousands in repairs if you catch the problem early. Adding a smart water sensor that will alert you if water is present where it shouldn’t be is an easy DIY hack. It involves placing sensors in areas prone to leaks, such as under sinks or near water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines, and then connecting the app to your smartphone. You can also use leak detection sensors to monitor roof leaks by hanging them in the attic under the eaves. These sensor installations can cost anywhere from $30 to $100, depending on the number of sensors you need and the type of connection you choose.