How Smart Home Devices Can Help Protect Your Home – and Save You Money

What are smart home devices and how do they work?

Smart home devices are electronic gadgets that connect to the internet, which allows most of them to be monitored remotely from a mobile device. Many of them also offer voice command capabilities and automated functions that can save you time.

Smart home devices can automatically lock doors, adjust heating and cooling even when you’re not home, and detect certain issues with the property before they cause major damage or a safety threat. And they might also save you money on utility bills and your home insurance. 

Smart home technologies to help protect your home

For many, your house is your biggest investment, and it makes sense to take as many precautions as you can to protect it. Here’s how a number of smart home technologies can help protect your home.

Loss prevention devices

A major advantage of smart home devices is that they can prevent losses that cause damage to your home. This can save you from the hassle of dealing with home repairs and may also prevent you having to file insurance claims. Whether by notifying you of a plumbing leak as soon as it starts, alerting you of an intruder or allowing you to adjust the temperature to prevent frozen plumbing during a cold snap, smart home devices can be a huge advantage to homeowners.

These are some top devices to consider. Note that these can be bought individually, or combined in home security systems that integrate multiple devices to create comprehensive protection across a property. 

Water leak detectors

These sensors allow you to detect, and be alerted to, water leaks in real time, before it can cause damage to building materials or allow for mold growth. It’s best to put these devices in areas that are the most prone to water leaks, such as under sinks or behind toilets. 

More sophisticated detectors attach to your home's main water supply and can even automatically shut off the water supply to prevent any additional leaking. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a legal requirement in almost every state and city. Even if you live in a place that doesn’t require them, though, it’s a smart idea to have them.

Upgrading to smart smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors gives you additional benefits. These devices will alert you of alarms via messaging or email, and some even automatically notify emergency services if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected in your home. 

Locks and entry sensors

Smart locks and door sensors give you real-time notifications when anyone enters your home. Many of these devices incorporate built-in cameras (also known as video doorbells) and alarm systems that may discourage break-ins. Entry sensors may automatically alert law enforcement when breaches occur. Video footage can provide a helpful record of events and serve as important evidence for your insurer and police investigating the crime.

Garage door sensors and alarms

Have you ever felt a pang of uncertainty about whether you closed your garage door shortly after leaving your driveway? You can avoid this issue and preserve your peace of mind with a garage door sensor or alarm, which allows you to check via app to see if your garage door is properly closed. If it isn’t, you can close it remotely. 

You also can set these devices up to deliver push notifications whenever your garage door is opened or closed, or even have them close your garage door automatically – say, when the weather becomes inclement.  

Energy-saving devices

Smart home devices aren’t only for detecting problems and thwarting burglars. They can also reduce energy costs. Here are some technologies to consider.

Thermostats and HVAC monitors

These devices control heating and cooling for both comfort and energy efficiency. Smart thermostats can learn your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly. You can also monitor your home’s temperature while you’re away on vacation, and ensure that no room gets cold enough for pipes to freeze. Some models even respond to your presence in the room to locally trigger heat or cooling.

Plugs and power strips

These smart home devices let you automatically shut off idle devices. For instance, if a room downstairs has lights and TV on when no one is in the room, a smart plug or power strip can automatically turn off all the devices connected to it at once.

Smart plugs can also save money if your utility rates fluctuate with local demand. You can program these plugs to turn off during peak hours, when rates are higher, and turn back on when rates decline.

Light fixtures and LED bulbs

Have you ever gone into an unoccupied room in your house only to discover that someone left on the light? Smart lighting can keep you from inadvertently wasting energy.

Some smart light fixtures have motion-sensor features that can be programmed to have the lights in a room turn off automatically after no motion is detected for a certain period of time. You can also adjust these settings remotely and use voice commands via your smartphone to turn the lights on and off.

You can also set your smart lights to turn on automatically at scheduled times to make it look like someone is home – even when you're not. This can help deter potential intruders and while you're away.

Sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems with smart technology can be programmed to automatically water your grass. Another helpful feature is the ability to turn the sprinklers off remotely, which can come in handy if they’re timed to go off when it’s already raining. They make it easier to maintain a healthy lawn and keep you compliant with any local water-usage regulations.