RTC's Communicator for Summer 2018

4 SUMMER 2018 The newest smart home technology increases safety, comfort, and convenience Many individual components can be part of a smart home. The most important is the hub or controller you use. If you have a smart speaker, such as Amazon Echo, you’re already halfway there. All you need to do is purchase and set up compatible smart items—such as outlets, lightbulbs, an entertainment system, and appliances —and suddenly your home will be a lot more intelligent. Because the costs of all these items can add up, you’ll want to think about what’s most important to you. Want to save money on your electric bill? Get smart lights that turn off and thermostats that turn down when everyone leaves the house for the day. Concerned about security? Check out smart locks, cameras, and floodlights. To help you explore smart home technol- ogy, the next few pages feature a guide to the best hubs and controllers as well as highly rated appliances and tools to enhance your lifestyle. Remember, home is where the smart is! Technology continues to develop at an astonishing pace in all areas of life. From driverless cars to cryptocurrency to amazing apps, the world seems more like a sci-fi movie every year. Our houses are no exception, and consumers are taking steps to create smart homes that automatically turn on lights, play music, and even clean at the push of a button or voice command. QUICK TIP: To get started with smart home deployment, think of tasks you already do regularly and find smart solutions to automate them. SMART WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HOME’S IQ