The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
The idea of a connected home really intrigues me. It is a great way to make certain things easier, safer and to save money. That’s why I’m excited about the Nest Learning Thermostat and the newest Netgear Router – The Nighthawk DST/AC1900, these 2 devices combine for a perfect smart home starter kit.
The one device that most people start their smart home journey with is a thermostat. It is a great way to save money, you will recoup the cost of the thermostat in a fairly short time if you use it correctly, and the best one out in the market just got better.
Nest Learning Thermostat just released its 3rd version, it is thinner, has a larger and crisper display and it’s smarter. You can connect your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your thermostat and control your temperature anywhere you have an internet connection. We love this, if we go on a trip, we never have to come home to a cold or hot house. We are able to change the settings remotely and have our home ready for when we arrive.
Nest allows you to program your preferred settings and preferences if you like, but there is no need to do that. If you want, Nest can start programming itself, it learns your habits and adjusts the temperature based on your schedule. Nest has a sensor that can tell when you are walking by or moving, it will light up, and it is amazingly easy to read from afar.
In addition to self-programming, it also monitors your heating and cooling equipment and notifies you if it is not working correctly. You can also set it up to notify you if the temperature goes above or below set limits.
Nest does all of these awesome things, you will save on your energy costs with proper usage and many utility companies offer rebates. Also, Nest provides your energy usage, tracks how much you have used and provide tips to help you conserve and save money and energy.
There are so many options available right now to bring your home “into the future.” If you ask me, it ALL starts with your wireless router. You need a strong signal, no dead spots and the ability to connect well over 10 devices at a time.
I love the appearance of the Nighthawk DST Router, I compared earlier versions of it to a Stealth Fighter, it is black, sleek looking and has multiple antennas, and looks like it’s ready for space. The new Nighthawk DST Router – DST stands for Dead Spot Destroyer – comes with 2 additional features, one DST adapter, to extend your range even more so, and also comes with Geek Squad protection included.
The average US house has 7 connected devices – phones, tablets, laptops/desktops, and also many smart home devices. Your average router that comes from your internet service provider probably doesn’t have the strength to support all of your devices, especially if you have kids.
Your smart home starts with your router, the Netgear Nighthawk DST eliminates dead spots, extends your coverage area, and can prioritize your devices for gaming and streaming. When you team that up with Geek Squad protection, you get a major win!
The Netgear Nighthawk DST and the Nest Learning Thermostat make a great smart home starter kit. If you are considering making the leap, these are 2 amazing products which will set you on your way to becoming an connected home.
How smart is your home?
