There are a number of compelling reasons to go with smart home technology whether you are building from the ground up or in need of a retrofit.
I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly reminding my son to turn off the lights when he leaves a room. And I distinctly remember my father singing the same chorus to me when I was growing up. And then there’s the battle my husband and I have over the thermostat. I like the house warmer in the morning and I crank up the heat to help get me going. The problem is that I often forget to turn it down when I leave the house. But with today’s technology, these sorts of battles (and charges) are unnecessary. Automation and modern building techniques give homeowners new levels of control, comfort, and security.
Convenience is a strong motivator for many homeowners deciding to incorporate smart home technology. There are products that offer users remote access to systems including music and multimedia devices, heating and cooling systems, intercoms, elevators, garage doors, and more. In Sun Valley,
General Manager Russ Vukonich of Eyehear Technology Group says, “A ‘smart home’ is a reliable way to interact and control various systems via a smart device in the home or remote access.” Eyehear has been doing business in the Flathead Valley for more than a decade serving Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and surrounding areas delivering a broad spectrum of leading- edge design, installation, project management, programming, maintenance, and support services for automation solutions.
But convenience is only one reason to smarten up. Efficiency and resale values also play into the equation. Because smart homes are more efficient, you save money over time. The initial expense that goes into the technology—a factor that deters some—has less impact when you consider the monthly savings that the technology produces. As for resale value, more and more owners are looking for fully integrated homes and won’t settle for anything less because of the energy conservation, security, and resale value according to Vukonich.
The staff members at Eyehear Technology Group have extensive experience with home automation. From dedicated studio- quality home theaters, to the complete automated control of a house, Eyehear can upgrade your home or help advise you on integrating the right systems before you build. The Eyehear Technology Group takes pride in offering fair prices, professional installation, and most importantly, servicing the system for years after the original installation. Vukonich says, “At Eyehear, we find success every day in the referrals and comments we receive from our client base, which in many cases is over 15 years old. By far and away, clients value their security systems to protect person and property and next is their utter excitement and enjoyment to listen to music throughout their home on their Sonos systems.”
Eyehear can scale solutions to any budget and their aim is to simplify life at home. “We constantly strive to educate our clientele first, then emphasize that properly designed solutions are supposed to make their lives easier not more complex. To get there reliably involves making an informed purchase,” Vukonich suggests, “Because of warranty concerns, it’s wise to avoid buying things from the Internet or 800 numbers.”
Vukonich says that it’s all about the partnership between homeowner and technology advisor when integrating tech into a home. He recommends finding a technology partner who will listen to the way you use technology and the way you hope technology can enhance your life. The team at Eyehear stays up on all the latest technology and can help guide clients in selecting the best products for their needs. Vukonich says, “Phenomenal changes have occurred in both capability and costs, particularly pointing towards the average priced home.” He adds, “Nearly every home has a laptop, tablet, or smartphone and owners are comfortable using app’s to control things. Upper scale second homes needing more energy conservation and control from afar, can obtain such without stressing the budget. The Jetson’s home is here. And Netflix and similar services have become a game changer.”
Looking at the services provided by Eyehear, it seems they offer automation systems for nearly everything you can think of in your home. And the technology is ever improving. Eyehear pros are keeping their eyes on developments in artificial intelligence and systems that will be able to perform daily tasks for the user with less physical interaction. And for clients looking for a sense of security? The Eyehear team reveals that hitting a home or away button will control lighting scenes, motorized shading and security, and multiple lights or motorized shades. “With one push of a button, it’s easy and safe,” Vukonich says. “In addition, a homeowner has the ability to have easy viewing and controlling over multiple zones of heating and cooling from a tablet with viewing exterior cameras.” The ability to control security and see video of the home or exterior is peace of mind for the homeowner. In resort areas where many residences are second homes, this sort of technology is very useful.
The products that Eyehear carries are from the most respected names in the industry. Vukonich reveals, “Design, installation, and service for various systems and budget are scaled to client’s needs. Some of our products include Lutron, Crestron, Elan, Control 4, and RTI automation systems. We’re also a licensed security company for monitored systems designed to meet current code and insurance requirements.”
As for Vukonich’s must have smart-home tech devices or systems? He says, “Sonos Music systems, lighting control in the most basic form, and security systems that can be viewed and controlled through the Internet or a cellular system.” In the future, Vukonich predicts that homeowners may have the ability to control their home from their wristwatch and receive communications from their home and smart appliances notifying service companies of issues as they happen. “Major companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and the Internet service providers, to name a few, are investing to bring more and more products to the mass market for smart home features,” Vukonich says. “This is the wave of the future.”
As for Vukonich’s must have smart-home tech devices or systems? He says, “Sonos Music systems, lighting control in the most basic form, and security systems that can be viewed and controlled through the Internet or a cellular system.” In the future, Vukonich predicts that homeowners may have the ability to control their home from their wristwatch and receive communications from their home and smart appliances notifying service companies of issues as they happen. “Major companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Samsung, Sony and the Internet service providers, to name a few, are investing to bring more and more products to the mass market for smart home features,” Vukonich says. “This is the wave of the future.”
