A Michigan Guide for Smart Homes

Smart homes are becoming more and more popular every year, as new technologies bring new benefits to homeowners across the country.

By 2027, the smart home industry is expected to be worth $313.95 billion, which would represent a CAGR of 25.3% starting in 2022. This encompasses all aspects of smart homes, from mobile controls of thermostats and lights to automation of various essential home systems.

Smart homes aren’t just cool gadgets; they can make running various aspects of a home more convenient and much more efficient. In fact, smart HVAC systems along can help users reduce their energy usage by as much as 50% each year.

There are so many different things that have come to define a smart home. In Michigan, you will have many options for implementing smart home technologies, whether you’re building a new home from the ground up or retrofitting an existing home.

Below is a full guide to some of the most popular smart home features in Michigan.

Security Features

Home security is a major concern for just about every homeowner. In the past, security used to entail locks on doors and windows. Some people had security systems that were installed by a professional company.

Today, there are a number different security features that are built on smart home technology. Examples include …

Lock monitoring: Sensors can be placed on doors and windows that will allow you to see whether you’ve locked all your doors and closed all your windows from a mobile phone.

• Passcodes: Want to give someone access to your home without providing them a key? Smart passcode entries allow you to assign a temporary PIN to a family member, friend or neighbor who’s helping out. Or, you could give access to your garage to a delivery driver so your package doesn’t sit in your driveway when you’re gone.
• Lighting: Smart lights can be set to a timer to turn off and on at certain times of day. If you’re going to be gone for multiple days, you can have them turn on and off at random times throughout the day to give the illusion that someone is home. You can even do this manually through your mobile device.
• Cameras: Smart home security systems often come with cameras today. These can be always-on, or they can be triggered by motion. Examples include floodlight cameras and doorbell cameras. You can view the camera live through a mobile device, and even have video recorded to the cloud.
• Water, smoke and fire: Sensors can be placed throughout your home to notify you if a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off. You can also set sensors to automatically turn off the main water supply if it detects a leak in a major appliance such as a hot water heater.

Energy Saving

One of the major benefits of smart home technology is the fact that it can save on your energy bill. In many cases, the amount you invest in this smart home technology can return back to you in just a few years’ time.

Smart thermostats are the most common products in this regard, and there are a lot of them on the market today. These smart devices replace your old thermostat and are able to be controlled right from your mobile device. This allows you to turn off your system — or turn it up or down — while you’re away. You can also heat up or cool down your home as you’re heading back there after being away for a while.

But, the biggest benefit these smart thermostats provide is through the automation and artificial intelligence technologies. Smart thermostats can “learn” your habits in regard to heating and cooling your home. It can detect if you have the thermostat set too high or too low at times when you’re actually not home.

Then, instead of having to manually set your thermostat, the smart device does it for you — at more reasonable temperatures — saving you energy in the long run.

Convenience

A lot of smart home technology is built around making your life more convenient. Here are a number of ways in which it does so …

• Smart Speakers: You can connect multiple smart home devices with a Smart Speaker such as Google Home or any of Amazon’s Alexa devices. Now, instead of having to open each individual smart device’s mobile app, you can use your voice to do certain things such as turn off the lights, turn on the music or pre-heat the oven.
• Appliances: Want to be notified when the washer, dryer or dishwasher is done? How about when you’re running low on ketchup or other items in the refrigerator? Need to set the oven to a certain temperature or have it turn off automatically after a set amount of time? All of this can be done through smart home appliances.
• Audio: In the past, setting up a whole-home speaker system was something only rich people could do. In addition to the devices being expensive, you had to completely wire your entire home. Now, it can all be connected via Wifi and Bluetooth technologies and powered via voice command.

Protect Your Smart Home with a Smart Insurance Company

It’s easier than ever today to create a smart home environment for you and your family. Whether you want to go all-out and upgrade everything to smart home technology, or whether you want to start with a device or two, it’s quick and easy to get started with the technology.

No matter what avenue you take, it’s important to protect everything you have in your home. That’s why it’s important to work with a smart insurance company in Michigan that always has your back.

At Signature Insurance, we can help guide you through all your options when it comes to home insurance, including the various coverage levels and choices you’ll have for protecting your smart home.

Contact us today to find out what we can offer you and to get a free quote.