Top 3 Smart Home Tech Features Millennials Crave

There's no doubt about it — today is the age of the Internet of Things. Tons of devices across a huge range of industries are now connected to the internet — from clothing to medical devices to vehicles — and so much more. Items that have an internet connection make life easier for the people who use them, and they also can track, record, and analyze data, which can help improve technology in years to come.

One of the most popular places that people enjoy smart devices is in their home. Today, tons of companies are making smart home tech features, which make living in a house convenient and easy — and do things like help homeowners save money, minimize energy usage, and have less of an impact on the environment.

For companies that build homes and want to target millennials, it's important to incorporate smart devices into a home. Millennials are tech-friendly and like convenience and personalization, so smart tech may just be the thing that convinces them to buy (and lack of it might the thing that turns them away). Here are three examples of very popular smart home tech features, which may bring in millennial buyers.

Smart Security Features

A recent study done by Wakefield Research shows that millennials are willing to pay more for a home if it has smart home security features. In fact, as renters, they're willing to pay at least 20 percent more per month if they can secure their homes with internet-connected devices. Smart home security features that millennials expect include video doorbells, mobile-controlled locks, mobile-controlled alarms, keyless locks, voice-activated assistants that can control security and entry features, and more.

If you want to appeal to millennials, make them feel safe in their home — even when they're away. Smart security features allow them to check on the status of their home remotely, and they're also convenient: they can let themselves in if they lock themselves out, set the alarm from work if they forgot to set it before leaving the house, and let friends or family members in when they're not available to do it physically.

Internet-Connected Thermostat

Millennials aren't just into convenience; they're also a relatively eco-friendly and socially conscious generation. For that reason, they focus a lot on not making an impact on the environment, and on making lifestyle choices that are considered sustainable. For that reason, they value a smart thermostat system in a home — like Nest. Connected thermostats can be programmed so that they set the right temperature for a person automatically when they're in the house, then change it when they leave. This ensures that no excess energy is used unnecessarily when the house is empty. They also learn peoples' patterns, so eventually, they can set themselves.

In addition to regulating the temperature of a home, smart thermostats can also do things like ensuring that homeowners save as much as possible on utility bills, light up when someone walks in the room, predict if a temperature-related accident or emergency will happen (like freezing pipes), and much more.

Automated Lighting

Lighting plays a huge role in a home. Not only does it illuminate a space for seeing, but it can also set a mood or aesthetic, or serve as a security measure to deter intruders. Millennials value smart lighting for both convenience and safety. Internet-connected outlets and light bulbs allow homeowners to turn lights on and off from the convenience of a smart device. Smart outdoor lights allow them to conveniently employ another safety measure when it's dark out — even when they're away from home.

To view the original article, visit the Chime Technologies blog.