Many Portland neighborhoods feature the old Vics and brick buildings the city is known for, as well as plenty of craftsman style homes. However, with so many young professionals flocking to Stumptown, it’s only natural that new housing would start to go up and that developers would convert empty industrial buildings in the popular downtown region into modern Portland lofts.
If you happen to call one of these chic lofts home, you may be on the lookout for smart devices that add convenience and help you make the most of your modern residence. Here are just a handful of products that will turn the average Portland condos or lofts into so much more.
1. Nest Learning Thermostat
Portland is a city that likes to keep it weird. Many residents also commit to keeping Portland green and beautiful. If you’re looking for ways to cut your carbon footprint via smart devices, few are going to better serve your needs than the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Nest, the purveyor of some of the smartest home gadgets on the market these days, has outdone itself with the learning thermostat. This thermostat is not cheap at nearly $250, but it will pay for itself and then some over time.
Not only does it offer programming capabilities and wireless control via smartphone, but Nest will learn your habits and mimic them. All you have to do is turn it up or down for a few days, adjusting it when you’re home, away, or sleeping, for example. The thermostat will learn your patterns and begin to implement them automatically.
You can also monitor energy usage and look for patterns and aberrations, giving you the information you need to further adjust usage and cut your carbon footprint (and utility costs) even more.
2. Samsung SmartThings
You started with a smart thermostat that recognizes when your smartphone is in range and adjusts to your presets. Then you got a security alarm, sensors, and even appliances that incorporate smart home features.
Now you’re running a dozen different apps to control everything. There are several products available that help you integrate all of your smart home devices within a single application. Samsung’s SmartThings gets top marks from consumers on price, peripherals, and compatibility with other products.
3. WallyHome
The safety and integrity of Portland modern homes and lofts is a top priority for inhabitants. In the city that rarely suns, water damage is always a concern. Enter WallyHome, a water monitor device with sensors that you can place under sinks, toilets, water heaters, or other areas where a leak might spring.
The device will notify you wirelessly should so much as a drop of water fall. You can also monitor temperature and humidity in the meantime. This device isn’t cheap, but it’s certainly less expensive than repairing a massive leak.