What Is a Smart Appliance?

Refrigerators have advanced technologically over the past decades. Depending on the model, smart refrigerators are loaded with attractive features that allow you to see what’s stored inside without opening the door, get notifications if the door is left open, add items to your grocery shopping list and more.

Some smart refrigerators have large screens on the front that allow you to customize it with a picture slideshow, mirror movies or sports from your TV, monitor other rooms in the house, and more.

Smart ranges have the same features as conventional ranges but with added high-tech functionality. There are a range of options available:

• Single oven gas ranges
• Double oven gas ranges
• Single oven electric ranges
• Double oven electric ranges
• Single oven induction ranges
• Dual fuel ranges

Smart ovens monitor food temperature and can lower the setting once food is done to keep it warm until you’re ready to eat. Or you can even turn the oven on remotely.

Get all the features of a smart range in a space-saving design. A wall oven takes advantage of unused space in your kitchen and creates an almost-seamless, streamlined look. Whether it’s a double wall oven that lets you cook two or more meals simultaneously, a self-cleaning wall oven microwave combo, or an electric wall oven with True European Convection, a wall oven offers ease of access. Most wall ovens are installed at or around eye level so there’s no crouching or bending which reduces back strain. A smart wall oven lets you conveniently and remotely pre-heat, monitor and control the oven.

Washing dishes is many people’s least-favorite chore. As dishwashers continue to evolve, they’ve become one of the hardest-working appliances in the kitchen. Smart dishwashers do more than just wash dishes. They’re packed with technology that lets you control and monitor the dishwasher from your smartphone.

Doing the laundry is another household chore that’s made easier by technology. Want to know when a wash or dry cycle has finished? A smart washing machine and smart dryer can send notifications straight to your phone letting you know when your clothes are clean and dry. You can even diagnose appliance problems from your phone as well.

Years ago, microwaves revolutionized the way we cook. Today, smart microwaves have come a long way. They’re more versatile, giving you more cooking options. Smart microwaves feature Wi-Fi connectivity, which lets you scan bar codes on food packages to download cooking instructions, start cooking cycles remotely, view videos and recipes directly on the screen, and more.

Once you get comfortable with your smart appliances, you may want to branch out to other areas of the home. A smart garage door opener can give you real-time alerts, open and close the door from anywhere, and give you the status of the door. Smart air conditioners can connect to other smart home technology, like smart thermostats, so you can control your home’s comfort level. Install smart light bulbs to turn lights on and off with your phone. These LED bulbs also use less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer. Smart plugs let you transform regular outlets into smart outlets and automate devices. Video doorbells are extremely popular in many homes and are a great added security feature. A smart water heater or Wi-Fi-ready water heater lets you control and monitor your hot water system from a mobile device. Some can even turn off the water to the unit and alert you when they detect a leak. Choose from smart-compatible electric water heaters and Wi-Fi-compatible tankless gas water heaters. Smart water leak detectors let you stay on top of more water issues, informing you of burst pipes, a clogged toilet and more. Install them in areas around the home where water damage could occur.

Smart technology is great for your landscape as well. Smart irrigation takes watering your lawn to the next level by monitoring soil conditions, automatically watering the grass and adjusting irrigation based on moisture. When it’s time to cut the grass, a robotic mower with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity can do all the work for you.