your phone or from a remote device that’s connected to the Internet. (That means you can head to the neighbor’s house, strike a few computer keys and go home to put that mail away.)
Some smart locks even come with programming capability. You can give your housekeeper access for a few hours each week, track who comes and goes, and monitor the status of your locks while you’re on vacation.
Our modern schedules are hectic—leave technology to adjust the thermostat at the most economically effective settings. New technology in thermostat designs can detect when people leave the home or return to adjust temperature settings—this concept, known as “geofencing,” means you don’t have to think about your thermostat once your temperature preferences are inputted. Most of these devices are accessible by smartphone app, where you can make adjustments on the go, or adjust the sensitivity of your comings and goings to pick up in a certain mile radius—meaning your home can be nice and cozy before you step foot inside. Some can turn lighting and other appliances off and on within the same application.
WHY UPGRADE?
Aside from making your life more convenient, the right upgrades can significantly increase the value of your home. Even if you don’t plan to sell in the near future, you can enjoy the aesthetic benefits and the simplicity of living in a house that works with you, not against you.
WINTER 2014 AT HOME IN YORK
HOME UPGRADE #4: Wi Fi Thermostat
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