Written by Krystal Rogers-Nelson
You don’t have to rely on someone else to have a secure and energy efficient apartment. Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to secure your home and reduce your energy usage without relying on outside services. These five apartment-friendly smart gadgets will not only help you feel safe, you will save money as well.
1. Wi-Fi Smoke Alarm Battery
Most renters don’t want or aren’t allowed to make many upgrades to their apartment. Instead of installing a smart smoke alarm, you can transform a traditional one into a smart one with the Roost Wi-Fi battery. Compatible with any 9V battery-enabled smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and Wi-Fi connection, this battery will help you feel reassured that your home is safe. Receive alerts on your smartphone if the alarm sounds and give one-touch access to an emergency contact or 911. Stock up on a couple of batteries so you’re set for years.
2. Smart AC Controller
In some locations, air conditioning is a must, but it also consumes a lot of energy. With a smart AC controller, you can do just that—remotely control your apartment’s standard AC unit and save up to 40% on energy costs. Through the app, the controller can use your smartphone’s location to adjust the AC, turning it off when you’re away and on before you get home. This controller is great for those who turn off devices before they leave the house or just want to come home to a cool and comfortable apartment.
3. DIY Home Security System
Gone are the days of bulky home security systems. Today’s lineup of the best home security systems includes sleek and compact cameras, window and door sensors, and motion sensors. Some also integrate with smart devices, such as a smart thermostat or smoke alarm, and many have an app that sends you alerts if the system detects unusual activity. Whether you’re running to the grocery store or going on a three-week vacation, you can feel more confident knowing you can monitor your apartment at all times.
4. Pet Camera
Most pet owners wonder what their cats and dogs get up to during the day, but you may not want a neighbor going into your apartment to check on them. A pet camera allows you to check in on your pet any time of day from your smartphone. Place the camera in a room, or set multiple cameras throughout the apartment, and watch footage in real time. Some pet cameras feature a microphone so you can talk to your pet as well as the ability to record or save footage.
5. Smart Lightbulbs
Control your apartment’s lighting from any location and save energy with the most straightforward smart gadget installation ever. With smart lightbulbs, you can use an app on your smartphone to check and see which lights are on, control them, and schedule them to turn on or off at certain times of the day. This is a great feature if you’re on vacation but don’t want your apartment to look vacated. As smart lightbulbs are LEDs, they’ll also last longer than a traditional bulb and save you energy costs. Screw in the bulb and connect to your Wi-Fi, and you’re set.
With any smart device, look for ones that feature 128-bit encryption and other security protocols to help you prevent hackers from infiltrating your system. For additional protection, make sure your router uses WPA2 encryption, update your router’s firmware, and use a VPN service to establish a secure connection by hiding the location of your device.
Which of these smart gadgets do you think are the most useful? Share your thoughts and recommendations.
About the Author:
Krystal Rogers-Nelson is a freelance writer living in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in cyber security, tech, green living and home security. You can read her other articles here: https://krystalrogersnelson.contently.com
Good ideas!! Going to look into these for my apartment.
Hi Karen, Glad you found them helpful. Thanks for the comment!
Another great article with smart tips! I am very fond of smart light bulbs and any other products that are energy saving. We all need to do our part to work towards sustainability. I was not aware of the wifi smoke alarm battery. This is very useful and I will be investing in a few as soon as possible.
Hi Conrad, I am glad you like the ideas in the post! Money savings and sustainability are both good results from making these changes. Thanks for the comment.
I would so get a pet camera if I had a pet now. My apartment didn’t allow pets when I moved in but they do now. I don’t really use apps so need to get on the techy band wagon I guess!
If you’ve managed without them, you are fine, but some are more helpful than others. I have a limited number of apps that I use. Some of them are useful and I don’t mind having them, however some are too intrusive and require access to a lot of info. Just have to decide what’s “worth it” as far as your privacy.