Making your house “smarter”—with automated controls and voice command capability—can streamline chores and save you money on energy costs. If you’ve ever dreamed of living like a Jetson but thought that smart technology would be too complicated to set up or too expensive for your budget, here are ten smart home upgrades you can DIY without breaking the bank (with one notable exception).
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Smarten up your entryway
A smart lock can give you peace of mind by allowing you to remotely lock or unlock your doors or let guests in. Smart technology for your entry will enable you to set temporary passcodes for guests, deliveries, or people doing work on your property, and they can be checked from afar to make sure everything is secure.
Add smart locks
A wifi-enabled smart lock allows you to use a fingerprint for entry, open your lock from a smartphone, or add a code for entry. You can lock and unlock it remotely, or opt for a lock with an auto-lock option so you never accidentally leave your door unlocked. Smart lock kits you can install yourself usually cost between $70 and $300, depending on the features.
Add a smart garage door opener
Your garage door can be a major security pinch point. Setting up a smart garage door opener if you already have an opener is a simple DIY project you can handle yourself for around $30.
Smart doors
For an entry with integrated security, you can opt for a smart door. This isn’t exactly a budget upgrade (expect to spend around $5,000), but it’s one you can handle yourself with some basic DIY skills. In this instance, your whole door is smart-enabled with an automatic light, a keyless lock, a smart doorbell, and a door sensor. The door connects to an app that will alert you if your door is open and can allow you to remotely lock and unlock it.
Smarten up your energy use
Smartening up your heating and cooling systems can save you money, and keeping track of your energy use can help you use less energy overall. While some systems might be complicated to install, there are plenty of smart devices you can DIY as upgrades your home’s existing systems.
Add a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat can save you up to 20% on your home heating costs. It will allow you to set temperature preferences by time of day and uses sensors to make your HVAC system run more efficiently. You can DIY a smart thermostat installation for between $70 and $350, depending on the type of thermostat and the number of sensors you need.
Install smart shades
Using smart shades to automatically cover your windows when it’s hot out and allow more light in when it’s cold can help you save on your heating costs by controlling how much heat your home absorbs from the sun. You can program smart shades using Google Assistant, Matter, Alexa, or Z-Wave, based on your preferences.
Swap in smart outlets
Smart outlets are dead simple to “install”—just plug them into your existing outlets and connect the app. You can control on/off for lights and other electronic devices and you can also use these smart plugs to monitor the power you’re using from the outlet they’re attached to. Checking on this usage can help you remember to turn things off when you’re not using them, saving on your power bill for between $11 and $30.
Smart lighting
Smartening up your lighting can add a layer of security to your home, turning lights on and off even if you aren’t around. You can also save some energy by setting lights to turn off automatically when a room is empty.
Smart bulbs
A set of smart bulbs can be controlled from an app or by voice with your Apple or Google Home assistant. These can be set to turn off and on at a certain time of day, or you can change them manually to fine-tune the lighting in your room. Expect to spend between $23 and $35 a set.
Smart light switches
A smart light switch is simple to install wherever you have an existing light switch, and it can be used to control your lighting from your Google or Apple home assistant, your smartphone, or the touch sensor on the wall. A switch can be used to adapt an existing “dumb” light to integrate it into a smart system and can be set to automatically turn on or off on a schedule for between $25 and $50.
Practice smarter home maintenance
Remembering to do all the little tasks that keep your house running efficiently can be a challenge, but there are some smart devices to help you along the way, and you can install them yourself.
Smart furnace filters
You can install a smart furnace filter that connects to your smartphone via an app that will alert you when it’s time to change it. The filter sensor monitors airflow through the filter and will let you know when the filter is full of dust and debris and needs to be replaced. This install is as simple as finding the right sized filter for your furnace and swapping it out next time it’s time to change the filter. This upgrade will cost between $30 and $70, depending on the size and type of filter you use.
Smart water sensors
Leak and flood detection can save you thousands on repairs if you catch a problem early. Adding a smart water sensor to alert you if there’s water present where there shouldn’t be is a simple DIY that involves placing sensors in leak-prone areas like under sinks or near water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines and then connecting the app to your smartphone. You can also use leak detection sensors to monitor for roof leaks by hanging them in the attic, under the eaves. These sensor set-ups can cost between $30 and $100, depending on the number of sensors you need and the type of connectivity you choose.
