Deck your halls with tech this season! We’ve got holiday home gift ideas that will not only lower your bills but also your stress level.
Whether your home is a recent new build or has been around for quite some time, there’s always a new piece of tech to help upgrade your life. This holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of smart presents that not only protect but also help to maintain your home. As an end-of-the-year bonus, some of these holiday home gift ideas can even lower your bills and keep your family safe and connected this season and all year round.
Secure your heart and home
Make sure this is a holiday to remember for all the right reasons with the help of a home security system. When you sign up for ADT, you’ll get the peace of mind of 24-hour monitoring that protects your home when you’re away and protects your family when you’re in it. Some plans offer a free video doorbell for added security, and homes with a security system generally qualify for savings on their insurance.
Knock no more
Speaking of video doorbells, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 is great for the holidays, especially if you’re hosting. Get instant mobile alerts with motion detection, 1080 HD wide-angle videos (so you can see exactly who is on your doorstep), and built-in microphone and speakers that lets you greet your visitors when they arrive. If you’re getting presents, then you’ll see when they arrive, who drops them off, and if someone else approaches your doorstep afterward.
The future of calls by Facebook
Portal by Facebook is the perfect accent to your smart home. The Portal makes video calls with Messenger and WhatsApp, and the built-in Alexa gives you control of your entire smart home from this one device. Check the front door or read the weather forecast or get the latest news with a simple command. Not to mention — but we feel we need to — the Portal was designed with privacy in mind. You can easily disable the camera and microphone, and even block the lens with the camera cover. And all Portal video calls are encrypted. Choose the size that’s best for you — 8″, 10″, 15.6″, or the Portal TV.
The future of heating by Google
(Okay, there’s a lot of futuristic presents this season, so I guess the saying is true — the future is here.)
Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat is a necessary addition to your home. The first thermostat to get ENERGY STAR certified, this digital gem learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature in your home according to your daily life. Like to eat breakfast at 70 degrees? Nest will adjust your home to be 70 when you wake up. Off to work? Nest will automatically lower the temperature while you’re away. If you’re getting off work early, you can raise the temperature from your phone, so your home is cozy when you walk through the door.
Independent studies have found that homeowners saved an average of 10-12 percent on their heating bills and 15 percent on their cooling bills with the Nest Learning Thermostat. Find out more ways to save money on your heating bill with “Winter is coming: 10 Ways to cut your utility bill.”
The future of home maintenance
Give your house a home this holiday season with vipHomeLink. Our app helps homeowners save time and money with personalized reminders for routine maintenance, and tailored improvement recommendations help you avoid costly repairs. We’ll also keep all your home’s important documents accessible in one secure place. To keep track of all your new gadgets and gizmos aplenty, use the Home Log for your home inventory.
Not a member? Download the app now!
Security and convenience are the name of the game this holiday season with these smart additions to your home. If you’re going to brave the malls or click online to do your shopping this year, we hope you enjoy a safe and “smart” holiday season!
