How smart home tech can protect your home this winter

There are lots of ways to prepare for winter, like cleaning the gutters and putting snow tires on your car. But did you know that smart home devices can help you winterize your home too? And Verizon Connected Home experts know the best ways to do so—from using a smart thermostat to lower your energy bills to using your smart doorbell to check on a package, we’ve got you covered for the cold weather.

Here’s how to winterize your home with smart home devices.

Smart home thermostat

One of the best tips for winterizing your home is to invest in a smart thermostat. It learns your schedule, lets you remotely control the temperature, and uses energy-efficient settings when you’re asleep or no one is home. If you forget to turn down the heat before leaving on a two-week vacation, no problem. With a smart thermostat, you can remotely adjust the temperature by using an app on your smartphone. It can also save you—on average—about 8% (or $50) a year on energy costs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Smart dimmer switch

Smart light dimmers and smart switches let you set up lighting schedules, consume less energy than traditional lights, and some automatically adjust based on the weather. If your mood and energy levels plummet in the winter months, devices like smart dimmers and smart bulbs might help support healthy circadian rhythms by gradually adjusting the brightness and color temperature based on the time of day. As Consumer Reports points out, smart bulbs alone won’t boost your mood or ensure you get a good night's sleep, but they might be able to help you create better habits, and that’s worth trying.

Going out of town for the holidays? Smart dimmers can also make it appear as if someone’s home even when you’re not. You can program them to turn on and off at certain times of the day, plus many brands have a vacation mode option.

Smart locks

For some families, winter vacation is a time for beach getaways or visits to the slopes. Wherever you go, smart locks give you more control over who can access your home while you’re away.  Forget about handing out spare keys to neighbors. Smart locks let you lock and unlock your door with a keypad, a fingerprint scanner, or an app. You can also create unique access codes for different people (the pet sitter, the plumber, an Airbnb renter) and revoke that access at any time. Plus you can set up alerts for when your door is locked or unlocked.

Smart home video doorbell

Worried your college-aged kid might throw a New Year’s party while you’re out of town? Wondering whether the package you ordered has been delivered? A smart video doorbell lets you check in via video and use the device’s smartphone app to talk with the person at your door. Using built-in motion sensors, your video doorbell can also record brief clips when someone approaches your front door and monitor it live.

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Whether you’re out of town or have friends house-sitting over winter break, smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will instantly alert your phone when they detect a problem. You can also set up the devices to let your houseguests know when there’s an issue. Another bonus: Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors let you use your phone to mute the alarm, avoiding what often happens with traditional devices—you turn them off but forget to turn them back on, leaving your home unprotected.

Smart water leak detector

Winterizing your home wouldn’t be complete without protecting against frozen pipes and the possibility of leaks. A smart water leak detector (or smart alarm flood sensor) can help you avoid soggy floors even when you’re reading a novel on the beach or taking your kids up the bunny slope. These water sensors alert your smartphone about plumbing issues or basement leaks so you can take immediate action after a pipe bursts, preventing significant water damage. Some models work with a compatible automatic water shutoff, saving your home from flooding.

Window and glass break sensors

Talk about useful smart home technology. These devices send an alert to your phone if a window is open. That’s especially helpful on a rainy or snowy day, plus it can give you peace of mind that there are no intruders breaking in.  Want extra protection against burglars or falling ice? Add glass break sensors, which blare an alarm and notify your smartphone (or the police) when they detect the sound of shattered glass.

Verizon Home Device Protect customers can get video doorbells, TVs, security cameras, and other devices installed for just $49 per product (or $0 for Verizon Home Internet customers). You can also call or chat with an expert to discuss your home tech today.