When smart home tech started to become popular, I was skeptical. I didn’t see why I needed a Ring doorbell to show me who was at the door when I could just get up and go look out the window. I thought gadgets like Alexa were unnecessary and a waste of money.
But now that I’m busier than ever with work, chores, and hobbies, I’ve begun to see the value in time-saving smart home tech. Here are 3 ways you can save money and time with smart home gadgets.
Ways to Save Time and Money With Smart Gadgets
1. Use a Robot Vacuum to Cut Down on Chores
My spouse and I have gotten so busy with work that it’s become hard to keep our house clean. Our home was getting so messy that we started to discuss getting a maid to clean it once or twice a month. I didn’t want to go that route because of the expense, so I looked into alternatives.
Lots of articles recommended robot vacuums to help cut down on chores. I had never purchased a piece of smart home tech before and wasn’t sure the robot vacuum would do a good job. But I found an off-brand robovac on sale for $250 at Walmart and decided to try it out.
I’m not kidding when I say this robot vacuum has been life-changing. It vacuums, mops, self-empties, and can even be programmed to run on a set schedule so I don’t have to remember to turn it on. I barely have to do anything to my floors anymore, which saves me at least two or three hours per week. Now I can focus on completing other chores like doing dishes and dusting.
The robovac has helped me keep my space cleaner in less time, so I have more room in my schedule to focus on my business. It has paid for itself multiple times over because it’s saved me so much time and helped me avoid hiring a maid.
2. Cut Down on Takeout With a Kitchen Robot
Have you ever heard of kitchen robots? I just recently learned about kitchen robots like the Suvie system that cook your food for you. All you have to do is put the protein and vegetables you want to eat for dinner into the kitchen robot and tell it when you want to eat. It will keep your food refrigerated until it’s time to be cooked, and a hot dinner will be waiting for you when you get home.
The Suvie system can roast, slow cook, steam, broil, and even sous vide your food—how cool is that? Because it has so many cooking modes, you won’t get bored of your meals and feel tempted to get takeout.
I often use my crockpot to put together fast and easy meals, but you can only eat stew so many times before you get tired of it! Although the Suvie system is more expensive than a crockpot (it costs $350 for a refurbished model), it will pay for itself in just a few months if it keeps you from ordering delivery.
I’m thinking about buying a Suvie system and will update you on how I like it if I do!
3. Use a Smart Water Sensor to Detect Costly Leaks
A few months ago, my basement flooded with water after our new water heater was improperly installed by the technician we hired. We had to replace all of the flooring on one side of our basement, which wasn’t cheap. The leak had been going on for several days before we caught it because we aren’t in the basement frequently.
Since then we’ve installed smart water sensors to detect leaks under all of our plumbing fixtures. The key to preventing damage from faulty pipes or faucets is to catch the leak early, and these devices help. They send an alert to your phone if they detect unusual moisture levels in a certain part of your home, giving you a chance to fix it before the problem escalates and becomes more costly to fix.
You can even install a smart water valve that integrates with the water sensors. If the sensor detects a leak, the valve will automatically shut off your water to prevent damage to your home. We haven’t installed a smart water valve yet, but it’s definitely something we’re considering.
Other Ways to Save Money With Smart Home Tech
I’ve barely scratched the surface of ways you can save money with smart home tech. You can install smart light bulbs that turn off when you leave the room to lower your electric bill. Smart thermostats that shut off the air conditioning when you leave the house can also help reduce your energy costs.
If you have a garden or water your lawn, you can use a smart sprinkler controller to cut down on water usage. It monitors local weather patterns to ensure you don’t water your lawn or garden before or after a rainstorm.
Although kitting your home out with smart tech requires a bit of an upfront investment, it could save you a bunch of money in the long run.
What smart home technology do you use in your home? Has it saved you time or money? Let me know in the comments section below!
Read More
8 Ways to Save Money on Summer Activities
20 Creative Ways to Save Money and Still Enjoy Your Life
Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.