How Much Does a Smart House Cost?

For a long time, the concept of home automation seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie or futuristic comic. As Internet connectivity grows, however, smart homes are becoming more common. As more people recognize the many ways in which smart home tech can save time and money, the once far-off future has become a current reality.

With such a wide range of smart home technology on the market today, no two smart homes will look or function the same. Not all of us have the resources to pull off something like Bill Gates' super-smart home.

But variation means you can customize the smart home features you want. It also means you can control how much you spend.

Smart Home Automation System Costs by Type

Interested in smart home automation but worried—or just curious—about the cost? Here’s a closer look at some of the general product price ranges and installation costs for some of the most popular smart home devices on the market.

Smart Light Bulbs and Smart Lighting Fixtures

Smart light bulbs are a popular way to customize the lighting in any room from an app on your phone —down to the exact color, hue, and warmth you prefer. Most smart bulbs can be used in a variety of lighting fixtures throughout your home. Some smart bulb manufacturers even offer smart lamps or smart light switches as well.

Prices for smart light bulbs range widely. The least expensive are under $3.00, while the priciest are over $90. According to the most recent data available, the average U.S. household has 40 light bulbs. Changing all of those out with the least expensive option will only cost a bit over $100. Installing the priciest options will cost $3,600. Of course, if your home is considerably larger or smaller than average, those numbers will vary.

Thankfully, with smart light bulbs, there are usually less installation costs, since most bulbs can be switched out by a non-professional.

Smart Home Security

Smart home security has gained popularity among homeowners for several reasons. It allows users to access security camera feeds from all around their property, receive notifications when doors or windows have been opened, and activate their alarm system from their phone.

The range of cost—and features—among home security products varies significantly. Depending on what you choose, purchasing and installing a smart home security system could cost anywhere from $200 to $5,000. Such a system would include a variety of gadgets like smart doors, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and security cameras. Larger residences and those with more complex exterior lighting needs will require greater spend for adequate smart home security.

After you purchase all the smart security devices you need, you’ll also want to pay for a monthly security monitoring service. These average around $40/month.

Cooling and Heating

The ability to control the temperature of any room in your house from your cell phone is an appealing convenience. While a smart thermostat alone will work wonders, smart home owners can also purchase smart fans, smart air conditioners, and other smart devices to help with automating a home’s heating and cooling.

Depending on the size of your home and how many devices you need, the average cost of purchasing and installing smart cooling and heating ranges from about $400 to $2,000.

Smart Kitchen Appliances

Smart kitchens are easy to customize to your exact specifications. And you don’t have to replace every single appliance with a smart counterpart—unless you want to. Depending on which types of smart devices you want in your kitchen (dishwashers, ovens, fridges, stovetops, etc.), a smart kitchen automation makeover can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $16,000. Some typical prices for smart kitchen appliances are:

• Smart Refrigerator: $2,000 - $5,000
• Smart Oven: $299 - $995
• Smart Dishwasher: $429 – $1,599
• Smart Microwave: $400 – $1,500

WiFi Costs in a Smart Home

The right smart home devices can streamline your daily life to a great extent. But it’s important to note that these devices require a reliable and speedy Internet connection to function.

Be sure to always include the monthly cost of your WiFi in your total smart home automation estimate. Without the right Internet package, you could experience major slowdowns in your WiFi speeds or even end up paying hundreds more per year just to keep all of your devices connected.

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