There is plenty of talk these days about "The Internet of Things" and how our offices, automobiles, and homes are becoming smarter. Some new innovations for the home are pretty cool.

But just how smart does your Connecticut home need to be? If you’re someone who really enjoys playing with technology, some of the new intelligent home applications and gadgets may be a great idea—and they may actually make your home a more comfortable and enjoyable place to be.

Not everybody reacts that way to technology, however. Some people feel that instead of being served by the technology, they become slaves to it; they feel obligated to use new technology, even if it makes them uncomfortable or takes them longer to do something than the old-fashioned manual way. A recent LinkedIn article raised a very important issue about smart homes: What’s missing in the smart home is the smarts.

How much attention should you pay to technology when building or remodeling your Connecticut home? Will you regret it if you don’t install the latest and greatest applications? Will you hurt the resale value of your home if your home doesn’t have the most advanced technologies?

While you don’t need to be afraid of new technologies, you also don’t have to let them run your life. Just because something is new or “more advanced” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice for your home. You’ll probably be in your home for a number of years. What do you think technology will look like five years from now? The technology that’s “cutting edge” today may well be obsolete in two or three years.

That being said, here are just a few of the new smart home technologies that we think can add a significant amount of comfort, convenience, and safety to your home. And in some cases, these new technologies can even save you money.

Nest

Your thermostat may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about smart applications for your home. But when you consider that your thermostat controls roughly half of your energy bill, which might be enough to grab your attention. Independent studies showed that it saved people an average of 10% to 12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. In less than two years, it can pay for itself. There are also comfort and convenience factors. The Nest thermostat learns your preferences. After you use it for a week, it programs itself to keep you comfortable. Click here for more information about the Nest.

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo devices (there are a variety of different devices you can use) have become extremely popular. These devices are much more than simple gadgets. Sure, you can use them to play music and to check the weather, but they offer a lot more. These hands-free, voice-activated devices can give you access to all kinds of information. You can use them in the kitchen to set multiple timers for cooking. You can also set reminders, look up recipes, and even answer calls hands-free while preparing a meal. You can also pair an Echo with lights, switches, and thermostats. Click here to read more and to explore the different devices that are available.

Google Home

Google also has a home app that can make like simpler and more enjoyable. The Google Home app helps you set up and control Chromecast (Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio, TV or speaker with Chromecast built-in), Google Home devices, and Google Assistant speakers. Plus, you can discover your favorite music, TV shows and videos to cast to your TVs and speakers. Click here to explore more.

If you enjoy the benefits of smart home applications—and you truly feel they will make you more comfortable, secure and relaxed in your Connecticut home, then by all means, do your research and invest in the applications that make you feel safe and comfortable at home.  But don’t lose sight of the major factors that will make your home a place you’ll love to be: Great design, quality communities and a builder who has the experience and expertise to build you a home that fits your specific tastes and needs.