Creating a Healthy Home with Smart Technology

Tod Caflisch
7 min readNov 21, 2023

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November 21, 2023

Creating a healthy home with smart technology involves integrating devices and systems that contribute to a safer, more comfortable, and environmentally friendly living space. By strategically incorporating smart technologies into your home, you can create that healthier living environment, contributing to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. And with regular monitoring and optimizing smart home systems you can easily maintain a sustainable and health-conscious home.

That all sounds fantastic but how do you get there? Where do you start? When Debbie and I started our smart home journey, we were thinking about simple things like automating lighting. But as our smart home footprint grew, it became apparent there were all types of devices and platforms to make our homes healthier as well. Here are some ways to use smart technology to enhance the health and well-being of your home and links to previous articles for specifics on devices and technology:

Smart Thermostats for Comfort and Energy Efficiency

By investing in a smart thermostat, it’ll allow you to control the temperature remotely and create schedules for heating and cooling. Some smart thermostats also offer energy-saving features.

Air Quality Monitoring

Using smart air quality monitors enables you to keep track of indoor air pollutants. You can measure factors like particulate matter, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and humidity. They provide real-time data and alerts for maintaining optimal air quality.

Adequate control of temperature and humidity levels is essential for a healthy home. Maintaining a comfortable and consistent indoor climate helps prevent issues like mold growth and supports overall well-being. Proper ventilation and air filtration systems also help achieve and maintain optimal air quality.

Smart Lighting for Circadian Rhythms

If you install smart lighting systems, you can set routines to mimic natural light patterns. Some smart bulbs and fixtures are designed to adjust color temperature throughout the day, promoting a healthier circadian rhythm.

Smart Window Treatments for Natural Light Control

Using smart blinds or shades that can be programmed to adjust based on the time of day or controlled remotely helps in optimizing natural light exposure and maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle. They can also be integrated into your smart thermostat to open or close based on room temperature.

Exposure to natural light has been linked to improved mood and well-being. A healthy home maximizes natural light while also providing well-designed artificial lighting to reduce eye strain and create a comfortable atmosphere.

Water Quality Monitoring

Consider smart water monitoring devices to assess the quality of your tap water. These devices can detect contaminants and provide insights into water usage, promoting better hydration and water safety.

Access to clean and safe water is fundamental to a healthy home. Water quality is essential for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Regular testing and proper water treatment measures contribute to maintaining good water quality.

Smart Appliances for Energy Efficiency and Healthy Eating

Upgrade to energy-efficient and smart appliances. Many modern appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, come with smart features that optimize energy usage and can be controlled remotely.

Incorporate other smart kitchen devices, such as smart scales or smart cooking platforms, that can assist in preparing healthy meals. Some devices provide nutritional information and recipe suggestions.

Smart Home Security for Peace of Mind

Using smart security systems with features like doorbell cameras, motion detectors, and smart locks enhance the safety of your home. And remote monitoring capabilities provide peace of mind when you’re away.

A healthy home prioritizes the safety and security of its occupants. This includes measures such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, secure windows and doors, and a reliable home security system.

Sleep Tracking Devices

Smart sleep trackers or devices that monitor sleep patterns can provide insights into your sleep quality and help you make adjustments for better rest.

Fitness and Health Monitoring Devices

Use smart fitness devices and wearables to monitor your physical activity, heart rate, and other health metrics. These devices can help you stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Synch health-related apps and platforms with smart devices like thermostats to adjust home temperature based on your activity levels.

Automated Cleaning Devices

Employing smart cleaning devices like robotic vacuum cleaners or smart air purifiers to maintain a clean and healthy living space can automate cleaning tasks and improve air quality.

Some smart devices incorporate UV-C light for sanitization purposes. UV-C light can help eliminate bacteria and viruses on surfaces, contributing to a healthier living environment. Regular cleaning and proper hygiene practices are crucial for a healthy home. This includes maintaining cleanliness in living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms to prevent the spread of germs and allergens.

Voice-Activated Assistants for Hands-Free Control

Utilize voice-activated assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Homekit to control smart devices hands-free. This can be particularly useful in reducing the need for physical contact with surfaces.

Smart Garden Systems

Explore smart gardening systems or devices that assist in growing indoor plants. Indoor plants can improve air quality by removing certain pollutants and adding oxygen to the environment.

A healthy home may incorporate elements of nature, such as indoor plants or outdoor green spaces. Access to nature has been associated with various health benefits, including stress reduction and improved cognitive function.

My goal with this post is to inform about ways in which smart technology can be used to create a healthier home, improving air quality, nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, and more. A healthy home is a holistic concept that encompasses various aspects of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It prioritizes safety, comfort, and environmental factors that contribute to the overall health and happiness of its residents.

As you can see there are plenty of great ways to create a healthier living environment. Possibly what I like best is that no two smart homes are alike as they reflect the wants and priorities of their owners. Flexibility is organically built into the process to support your unique needs.

By following these tips and carefully selecting smart home products that match your needs, you can gradually transform your home into a smarter, more comfortable space to improve your health and well-being. Smart home technology is designed to be accessible, making it possible for everyone to enjoy the benefits of a connected and automated home. If you’re new to smart home or just getting started, I’d encourage you to explore smart home solutions and take the first step in upgrading your home.

What do you think about building a healthy smart home? It makes sense but there are a lot of interesting devices out there. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, it may be an opportunity to grab those devices you’ve been holding off buying. Make sure to keep your overall smart home plan in mind though. Obviously, there are a lot of things to consider here.

Let Debbie and I know what you think in the comments, DMs and emails as we really enjoy hearing from you. Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’

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In full disclosure, I’m not an affiliate marketer with links to any online retailer on my website. When people read what I’ve written about a particular product and then click on those links and buy something from the retailer, I earn nothing from the retailer. The links are strictly a convenience for my readers.

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Tod Caflisch

Smart Home technology thought leader with passion for out of the box solutions for smart home integrations, focusing on efficiency, safety and sustainability.