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What constitutes a smart home? Is it a home that is weatherproof? Future proof? Fool proof?
Many of us have found ourselves at an Airbnb, unable to turn on the stove because it is smarter than we are. “Some tech might be cool, but that doesn’t always make it smart,” says Ed Tuchler of Shelter Alternatives.
While there may not be a patent definition for the term “smart home,” there are certainly smart people implementing technology that can make our homes safer, friendlier and more efficient.
Means Different Things to Different Folks
To an insurance company, a smart home might be one that is equipped with a Ring security camera and automatic water shut off valves. Imagine being on vacation and receiving a text that your smoke alarm has gone off from a thousand miles away. There’s know place like home.
To an eco-conscious (or econ-conscious) homeowner, a smart home might be one with an integrated Sense Home Energy Monitor app. By connecting to a hardware monitor installed in your electrical panel, homeowners can track real-time energy usage. “I can even see the load that my solar panels are offsetting, and whether I am banking energy,” says Tuchler, who adds that it’s also useful to tell when a space heater may have been left on or when the hot tub is in use.
He’s not alone. This year saw a 70% surge in demand for “Green” listings, which are zero-energy-ready homes outfitted with AI-driven efficiency technology, motion and temperature sensors, induction cooktops, solar-ready rooftops and EV charging outlets.
To an architect or contractor, a smart home could mean one with a ZIP sheathing system installed, revolutionizing the way a home is sealed against water, vapor and air. “Gone are the days of going up into Grandpa’s attic, and it’s 120 degrees,” says Alex Scott, owner and principal designer of Hickory Knoll Architects. “We insulate the perimeter of your foundation with closed cell foam so even the air in your crawl space is conditioned, which protects all ducts and pipes from weather exposure.”
“Efficiency goes up dramatically, and with it, comfort. Cold spots in the home are completely eliminated,” Scott adds, “and ERV systems can improve air quality if needed.” Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) systems exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, while recovering energy from the outgoing air to pre-condition the incoming air. It is especially helpful for today’s airtight homes and buildings.”
Smart Upgrades
While most homeowners don’t have the luxury of a new build to explore cutting-edge, energy-saving technologies, many improvements can be made during regular maintenance and repairs. Whether it’s replacing an HVAC component, upgrading a water heater, installing a new roof, fixing rotted siding, or even just switching out appliances – take the opportunity to do an energy audit and get the experts to weigh your options. Do you need a smart fridge to tell you when you’re running low on eggs? Maybe not, but nowadays refrigerators can also track expiration dates, suggest recipes, and prevent a ton of food waste. “The install is just as important as the product,” Scott notes, “so start with good people who are certified.”
Simply doing things “up to code” won’t cut it with today’s energy prices. A truly smart home moves beyond manual app control to automation. Having fiber internet, connected devices and a smart home “hub” are vital to the process, but homeowners want to spend less time fiddling with apps and more time spending all the money they’ve saved being, well, smart!
Cutting Edge Technology
SMART is also the name of Virginia Tech’s Spatially Managed Augmented Residential Toolkit, an interdisciplinary capstone initiative dedicated to developing a locally-hosted, privacy-centric smart home hub seamlessly integrated with an immersive AR/VR interface. Instead of having to tap lights to turn them on and off, the goal is to use gestures, hand motions like pinching, etc., to control things like lights and curtains, with the help of the Apple Vision Pro. “We intend to merge this all into smaller form glasses and be able to do all this in a way that doesn’t feel clunky or very futuristic,” says computer engineering major, Youssef Chebil.
While some technology, such as LED illuminated stone countertops and wall panels, might not technically fall under the “smart” category, installing showy features that could help your home’s resale value may not be a bad idea. Opting for a cool feature shouldn’t supersede all practicality. Putting a dozen touch lamps and twice as many automatic curtain openers on battery-controlled mounts will only drive you crazy in the long run, when you’re running around replacing batteries every other week. Hard-wired is always better, until, of course, the internet goes out!
“Most smart home devices have a manual override,” Tuchler assures. Examples include physical keys for smart locks, toggling physical light switches, or on-device dials for smart thermostats.
Still — whenever I misplace my remote, I never can find an on/off button on the actual TV. When all else fails, UNPLUG!
Text by Emily K. Alberts
Emily K. Alberts is a local writer who once FaceTimed the pot on her stove to see when it started to boil.
