Page 45 - January 2016

MIKE COYNE
Blueleaf Lending wishes all Lodge 7 members and their families a very happy and healthy New Year
Turning your home into a smart home
FINANCE
Everything is "smart" these days, from smart- phones and smart TVs to smart thermostats and smart lighting systems. Together, they all add up to the "smart home," in which residents can con- trol systems and appliances whether they're home or away.
Experts predict that the global smart home market will grow to $72 billion by 2018, which means new products will continue popping up. But are these cool new gadgets all they're cracked up to be? Do they make your home safer, or should you be concerned about new risks, like hackers?
Let's take a look.
One of the most popular products in smart home technology is the smart thermostat. Research shows that “Nest,” one of the more popular Internet-connected thermostats, can save home- owners between 10 percent and 15 percent on heating and cool- ing bills. Some experts, on the other hand, worry that this technology is vulnerable to hacking.
Smart-home technology reaches into the bedroom, too, help- ing residents sleep more soundly. For example, Sleep Number knows when you're sleeping and when you're awake. The brand's “SleepIQ” technology can track your sleeping habits and then transmit them via Wi-Fi to the tracking app on your smartphone. A higher-end model also boasts a snore prevention
feature that raises your head with the touch of a button or a sim- ple voice command.
If you're tired of fumbling for your house keys, smart locks might be for you. They can work with either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, depending on the model. Worried about safety? Some experts say the Bluetooth-only locks offer more security than locks that connect to the Internet. d
Mike Coyne (NMLS #222935) is vice-president of Blueleaf Lend- ing. If you have questions for Mike, call him at 773-774-4900.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2016 45