Are you building the home of the future today? You’re not alone. Analysts anticipate a $15.23 Billion growth in smart home technology by 2025. But which technologies will win out? And which ones will fade into the dark obscurity in the coming year? Due to their practicality, here are the ones we expect to see in a lot more homes over the next couple of years.

1. Smart Speakers

These are already becoming a mainstay in many homes. We can expect that to continue as these devices become compatible with more smart home technologies, allowing you to run your home automatically and through voice. But we do expect the playing field to expand. In the US, a lot of people know Google and Amazon. But LG and Samsung are quickly gaining market share.

2. WiFi Smart Plugs

Smart plugs give you greater control over devices and lighting in your home to regulate power usage, ambiance, and safety. You can control them using the app or a voice-enabled assistant like Alexa. In addition to enhancing home automation, smart plugs can pinpoint where you’re using vampire power (standby power). That’s the power appliances use when they’re plugged in but not on. Experts estimate the average household spends around $130/year on this “unused” energy, but some homes use much more. Another major benefit of smart plugs is that they help you home in on energy-hogging appliances, so you can make a more energy-efficient appliance choice when that appliance is on its way out. Or you might decide to off-load it in a yard sale now and shrink your home’s carbon footprint.

3. Smart Mailboxes

Smart mailbox technology can retrofit a traditional mailbox with smart sensors that notify you of mail arrival. Or you can go all out with a special package delivery mailbox to outsmart porch pirates.

There are many benefits to knowing exactly when the mail is delivered:

• Know the best time to put out outgoing packages
• Identify when is the best time to meet your mail carrier in person
• Get a letter you’ve been anticipating as soon as it arrives (if you work from home)
• Avoid leaving perishables in a hot or cold mailbox
• Safely receive larger packages with some models
• Identify and have proof of a discrepancy between tracking and actual delivery.

4. Smart Thermostats

In some parts of the country, as much as 27% of the family budget goes to heating and cooling the house. Anything you can do to shrink this spending matters. Like smart plugs, smart thermostats can help you identify where and when you’re wasting money. In the summer, are you leaving the thermostat too low while you’re on vacation or at work (outside of your home)? A smart thermostat will help you identify this. Did you forget to lower the temperature a few degrees before leaving for work? You can fix this remotely on your phone or laptop. These are just some smart thermostat benefits.

5. Smart Locks

Surprisingly, these are taking so long to catch on. With smart locks, you can check, lock, and unlock your door remotely. They can notify you when your teenager has gotten home from school or if they leave contrary to house rules while you’re at work. Some locks use RFID key tags (similar to those used on pet doors) to unlock the door for you as you arrive, so no fumbling for a key with your hands full. Or you can open the door using your voice on your smartphone.

6. Smart Leak Detectors & Shut Off

Smart leak detectors have been around, but they’re getting better, so we expect them to become more of a mainstay in the modern home due to the outrageous costs associated with undetected leaks–rotting floorboards and supports, damaged flooring, black mold, etc. These smart devices notify you of a possible leak and can be fully integrated into your other smart home or security system technology. Not only can they detect leaks. Some devices actually have the means to temporarily shut off that leaky pipe to avoid sudden water damage from a burst or root-infiltrated pipe.

7. Smart Robot Vacuums

Like other smart technology, this one has been around for several years. But technology is getting better. Use your voice to start cleaning or set your robot vacuum to clean on a schedule. It does its job then returns to its base to charge itself, minimizing the work required from you. If you have pets that shed or small children who tend to make messes, this is a great way to keep your space cleaner between major cleaning. Extend the period of time you get to enjoy a clean space without having to constantly clean.

Like all smart tech, robot vacuums take some of the monotony out of life while saving you time and often money.

Photo: ReShip.com

Improved Security

Several kinds of smart technology will make you feel safer in your own home. Through programmable apps, you can activate lights in your home, even if you’re not there. Lights discourage thieves from entering, as they believe that an illuminated home has people in it.

Similarly, automated door locks ease your fear that you forgot to lock the entry points to your home. With a single click, you can verify that your doors and gates are shut. You can also add security cameras throughout your home. These devices are easy to install, and you can monitor all your rooms from your phone. Many of these products will also record video of unexpected movements. Should burglars get inside, the video can bust them and guarantee that they’re going to jail.

Photo: Engadget

Updates on Pets and Children

Smart technology also enables you to feel like you’re at home while at work. The side benefit of having cameras everywhere in your home is that you can monitor your children and pets. When you’re at work and feeling homesick, you can pull out your smartphone and see what’s going on at home. A napping child or playful pet is sure to put a smile on your face.

Photo: Top Dog Tips

Cheaper Energy Bills

The average American spends $110.21 per month on energy. A lot of the energy you consume gets wasted. That’s because you set your thermometer to a certain temperature, and it turns on whether you’re home or not. Smart devices like Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat overcome this issue.

The Nest will track your energy consumption, uncovering ways to save on consumption. It’ll turn off your device when you’re not home. It also learns the times when the ambient room temperature is sufficient. Google estimates that a Nest will save a consumer at least $131 annually on an energy bill, meaning that it’ll pay for itself in two years.

Photo: Heating & Colling Two, Inc

Comfort and Convenience

Do you hate those moments when you’re finally settled in and comfortable on your couch, only to realize that you forgot to turn off the light? Did you leave the oven running at 400 degrees? When these situations occur, you have to get up and walk over to the switch. Sure, it’s a small aggravation in the greater scheme, but it’s still annoying.

With smart technology, you no longer have this problem. As long as your smartphone is close at hand, all you have to do is unlock your phone. Then, use the applicable app to manage your smart technology. In three seconds, you can turn off the oven and the lights, all while remaining nestled in on your couch. Due to its convenience, smart technology makes your house feel more like a home.

Photo: Mac Rumors – HomeKit

Your Smartphone Does Everything

The most amazing part of smart technology is how easily you can control it. Inventors understand that the average American’s phone is never farther away than a purse or back pocket. As such, they’ve built apps that function as remote controls for the house. Once you unlock your phone, you can turn off the lights, check security footage, or change the temperature on your thermometer. You can operate every smart device in your home from your phone.

Since your smartphone is now the hub for all your technology, you need the best one possible. You should purchase the best one on the market, which is the iPhone 7 Plus paired with a reliable network such as T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network. The iPhone effectively started the smartphone craze in 2007, and Tom’s Guide research shows that T-Mobile is the best wireless carrier today. With this combination, you will always have full control of your home apps. Best of all, you can buy your iPhone using your savings from smart technology!

Adding smart technology to your home is a no-brainer. Everything you add will improve your quality of life, and some of the enhancements will save you money, too!