For years, people have been focusing on what to add to their homes to make them more convenient, and more recently, people are also looking to make their homes more energy-efficient. Thanks to technology, it’s possible to do both, and upgrades for convenience can even be energy efficient. Here are eight home features that will make your home more convenient, energy efficient, or both!
Table of Contents
Luxury Amenities for Convenience
#1: Electric Vehicle Charger
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular due to being a more eco-friendly way of driving, and there’s no doubt that they’re the future of driving. However, one of the current disadvantages of EVs is that there isn’t an abundance of charging stations like there are gas stations.
With that being said, having an electric vehicle charger installed in your home will help ease the worries of finding a charging station. Unfortunately, you still won’t be able to drive significantly long distances without locating EV charging stations, but having one in your home allows you to drive your EV to local destinations.
#2: Home Elevator
Home elevators are not like your typical commercial building elevators. You can find elevators that are sleek, single-passenger pneumatic vessels that allow you to travel between the floors of your home. A home elevator is ideal for those living in two-story homes with people with physical challenges. They’re also good to have if you decide to stay in your two-story home as you age.
Investing on a home elevator has more benefits than you think. First, your property value can rise by 10% by installing one. Second, the home lift cost has gone down recently. Lastly, you don’t need a large space in your home to install an elevator.
#3: Gym Equipment
Nothing is more convenient than having a mini gym located right inside of your home. Although most homes aren’t spacious enough to accommodate an entire functioning gym, a simple home remodel can help you achieve more than just a “workout room”. Knocking down a wall to add more space will allow you to set up more than one machine, floor-to-ceiling mirrors (and maybe some windows too, for natural lighting), plus you’ll have more room to store your weights, yoga mats, etc.
Smart Devices for Efficiency and Safety
#4: Smart Appliances
Having smart appliances in your home makes cooking, washing dishes, and even washing clothes more manageable. Many everyday tasks can now be done with the push of a button or even a voice command. Having smart appliances saves you energy, and you can even control all of your appliances from your phone! Here are some examples of smart appliances available for purchase:
- Air conditioners
- Blenders
- Coffee machines
- Dishwashers
- Instant pots
- Microwaves
- Ovens
- Refrigerators
- Toasters
- Vacuum cleaners
- Washing machines
#5: Smart Locks and Cameras
Installing smart locks on all of the outside doors of your home can give you great peace of mind. Like other smart appliances, smart locks can be controlled with your phone. So if you can’t remember if you locked all of your doors before going on vacation, simply pull up the corresponding app on your phone, and you can lock up your home remotely.
An extra layer of security is added when you couple smart locks with a smart camera, such as the Ring camera. With smart cameras, you’ll be able to see who comes up to your front door. Some cameras even have extra security features that allow you to alert the local authorities if necessary.
#6: Smart Plugs and Light Bulbs
Smart plugs are great energy savers. Many people don’t realize that electronics and other devices that are plugged in— but turned off— still use a significant amount of energy. Smart plugs will help you save energy because they reduce the amount of electricity that flows to a device when it’s not in use.
Lamps attached to smart plugs with smart light bulbs is the ultimate way to save energy. Smart light bulbs already use much less energy than your traditional light bulbs, so you’re saving even more when the lamp or appliance that’s using a smart light bulb is plugged into a smart outlet.
#7: Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are probably one of the most impressive smart devices. They have the ability to learn a household’s heating and cooling patterns, according to when the residents are home. This means that when you’re away from your home during the day for work, school, etc, the thermostat adjusts accordingly, saving you energy and money.
#8: Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is also used in pipes and flooring. They’re one of the most energy efficient materials for windows because they’re great insulators, keeping the heat out during the summer and in during the winter. They’re UV resistant and also waterproof, meaning that even homes in wetter climates can benefit from vinyl windows.
Of course, you’re allowed to add almost any amenity you desire to your home. Fortunately, most luxurious amenities today leave a smaller carbon footprint on the earth, making it possible to be both trendy and eco-friendly.
