The year is not half over, and already the home tech market is proving to be one of the very few shining stars of the economy. For all sorts of reasons, prices of things like smart locks, surveillance cameras, and energy conservation apps are moving counter to inflationary trends. The good news for manufacturers is that sales are high. For consumers, it means 2022 is an excellent year to stock up on the home technology products they need and want.
What is at or near the top of most homeowners’ wish lists? Besides the perennial best-seller, smart locks, other favorites include small solar setups, home lifts, lighting apps, and sonic pest control systems. Buyers tend to seek security, convenience, energy savings, or some combination of those features when they purchase new products. Here’s a brief overview of the hottest items in the market right now.
Smart Locks
Smart locking systems have been around for more than a decade, but during that time, two important developments have taken place. First, prices have fallen to about half their original level. Second, the sophistication of the locks has risen considerably. It’s still possible to install them yourself, but some of the higher-end versions call for a professional to put them in. Smart locks are one of the essential features of a home security system overall and they are certainly high value.
Home Lifts
Homeowners who decide to install a home lift do so for a number of reasons. Some opt for the elegance and amazing look of an in-home lift. Not only do the devices add to the overall beauty of a home, but they also have the potential to boost resale value. Placing a home on the market and selling it quickly is more easily achieved when there are unique features included, like home lifts, swimming pools, extensive decks, and roof-mounted solar panels. For some owners, a life-changing home lift delivers a different set of benefits. There are aspects of safety and ease of mobility to consider. Older or disabled people get a high degree of utility from a personal lift, which eliminates the need to climb stairs and walk long distances to get from one level to another.
Lighting Apps
Lighting apps and intelligent power systems have transformed the way people use their homes. Easy-to-install, inexpensive lighting apps can be set to control lights in the entire house or just a room or two. The simplest versions take about 10 minutes to set up and install, but they give you the power to choose which lamps, ceiling lights, and other bulbs come on, when they switch on, and how long they stay lighted.
Passive Solar Mini-Kits
Solar roof panels are now appearing in smaller, less costly packages that are easier to mount and can be placed on roofs or on the ground. Some owners like the idea of experimenting with affordable solar solutions before deciding to commit to pricier systems that cover a large section of the roof. These newer mini solar panel kits are just the thing for consumers who wish to ease into the solar energy market.
Sonic Pest Control
Sonic rodent and insect control devices are entering a golden age in the 2020s. Once a rarity, they’re now sold in most hardware and big-box stores right alongside sprays, mouse traps, and sticky strips. Prices have come down, too, which means more people can use chemical-free methods of eliminating creepy, crawly guests.
