Devices to help you create a smart home

Wouldn't it be nice if you home could do everything for you?

While technology hasn't yet gone that far, there are more aspects of your property that can be automated. Many devices have reached the consumer market to help any homeowner turn their house into a smart home. Of course, many of these products are available for a premium price, but they can be beneficial for creating more ease in your life. Additionally, devices for building a smart home are not only made to improve convenience, but they are also useful for creating more visual appeal in your home.

Here are a few technologies you can use to have a home of the future:

Smart locks

If you need to upgrade your home safety and security, you can purchase smart locks for your entryway doors. These devices can be helpful for a home inspection, which may consider the security features of your property. 

There are numerous variations of smart locks. Some use Bluetooth technology to open the door using either a smartphone application or key fob that comes with the device. These gadgets are convenient if you lose your keys often or a family member is locked out of the house and you're not able to let him or her inside in person. Additionally, you can send electronic keys to family and friends, which can be convenient if you need give a key to someone who is watching your house while you're on vacation.

While there are many completely keyless versions of these gadgets, going with one of these devices may prove an issue. If the power goes out, you lose your key fob or your phone battery dies, for instance, you won't be able to unlock your door.

Smart lighting

With the growing use of LED lightbulbs, many new smart lighting technologies have been developed. Modern lighting controls, for example, allow you to manage the lighting in your home wirelessly from a single location. This includes the ability to dim lights, set a timer for automatic operation, incorporate motion sensors and create multiple lighting profiles.

There are even smart bulbs, which can be controlled wirelessly from your smartphone. The Hue products by Philips are at the forefront of this market. These LED lights can be turned on and changed to numerous colors all with the touch of a button.

Nest products

Technology manufacturer Nest has been making headlines lately. Following Google's acquisition of the company, many electronics experts have been wondering what Nest will produce next, as the manufacturer is known for its line of smart thermostats and carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

Nest thermostats go beyond the ability to adjust the temperature in your home. These devices learn your habits over time, such as when you go to work and when you're in the house, and automatically regulate the temperature based on those routines. The manufacturers claim that these smart thermostats can save you up to 20 percent in energy costs.

These devices also yield savings through Nest's Rush Hour Rewards program, which helps users earn credits or money from their energy provider by using less energy during peak periods. Nest claims that the RHR program has led to a 55 percent reduction in energy usage since it was introduced. There's also the Seasonal Savings program, which provides the same benefits of RHR but is tailored to entire seasons rather than a few hours a day.

The carbon monoxide and smoke detectors include a "Heads-up" feature that provides an early warning in a human voice to alert you to the presence and location of smoke or the hazardous gas. Additionally, the alarm can be turned off with wave of an arm if you simply burned your breakfast.