By Frank May, Realtor
Having a tech-enabled home isn’t as much of a luxury as it is becoming a necessity in 2021. We can attribute a large part of this to the pandemic and how it transformed the living situation for most of us in the blink of an eye.
Any home can become tech-enabled to some extent. You can add an Amazon Echo device or a smart plug that can be used from your phone. Or you can go all out and have your home completely wired to be a smart capable home completely automated by voice or wireless adaptor of some sort.
With this in mind, I wanted to share with you some of the most innovative tech items that you can add to your home right now.
Cool Sheets
Outlast sheets (from $150) are seriously cool. “Outlast® technology proactively manages heat and moisture to give a better, more comfortable night’s sleep,” according to Outlast.com. “From menopausal women to thermally incompatible couples, Outlast® technology is tested and proven to alleviate spikes in skin temperature that cause sleep disturbances.” These sheets are meant to proactively manage heat from the body, according to the company.
Water Saving Dishwasher
KitchenAid’s Architect Series II dishwasher with AquaSense ($1,749) saves some of the water from the previous cycle and uses it as a pre-rinse on your dishes. Living in the desert it is crucial to always think about the future of our water supply. This is of the coolest dishwashers I have seen, and it isn’t a new model. Find it at KitchenAid.com.
Antimicrobial Tiles and Floors
This was a first for me! TOTO’s Hydrotect ceramic tiles are “the product of an agreement between the Casalgrande Padana research centre and TOTO, the industry leader in sanitary products. TOTO are pioneers of HYDROTECH® photocatalytic technology, which makes use of the antibacterial properties of titanium dioxide, a natural material that gives off no harmful emissions and, in fact, significantly reduces the amount of harmful substances in the air in both indoor and outdoor spaces, thus making the atmosphere healthier and removing bad odors.” Learn more at CasalgrandePadana.com.
Utilizing a similar photocatalytic titanium-dioxide coating that works like a plant, breaking down volatile organic compounds, viruses, molds, and bacteria, the Lauzon Pure Genius hardwood flooring can do the work of up to three trees in a 1,300 square foot room. Learn more at lauzonflooring.com.
Thermal Leak Detectors
Thermal leak detectors help you detect leaks and fix the insulation in your home. According to TinyHouseBigIdeas.com, the best thermal leak detection device is the BLACK + DECKER TLD100. They love it because it’s a no-frills leak detector that has the solid branding of BLACK + DECKER. With a price tag of around $50 (I found it for less on Amazon), this is a great tool to have around your home. Checking for thermal leaks can make a huge impact on your electric bill and prevent those pinhole leaks in your pipes from becoming a big deal by the time you finally see them reaching the surface of your wall.
I hope I have given you some fun ideas to up the tech in your home and not your average plug or wireless lightbulb that we are all familiar with today. If you do want to know more about those items, give me a call or shoot me an email and we can discuss how to enable your home in a tech-savvy way and take advantage of the savings you will incur when using them. I can be reached at 623-203-1800 or [email protected].
Frank May grew up in the Valley, graduating from Northwest Christian School and NAU. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and has been helping both buyers and sellers for 18 years. Frank May is also a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider.
