Smarthome Appliances

Smarthome Aplliances

By Katie Roiger | Submitted photos

“Hey Alexa: Turn on the oven!” There’s no doubt that modern technology has the power to make our lives more pleasant. It can give us an upbeat soundtrack for our morning commute, provide a hands-free chat with a good friend while we drive or juggle groceries, and even protect our homes through video surveillance. Over the past few years, smart appliances have become homeowners’ best friends, thanks to the security and time-saving services they provide.

“People like the convenience of it,” said Erik Kindgren of DeGroods’ Appliance. “It makes life a little bit easier.”

With over 20 years of experience selling appliances, Kindgren has seen smart-home appliances become more and more sophisticated. The first appliances on the market were relatively simple, such as washers and dryers that paired with smartphones. Great for busy people whose other duties and chores make it hard for them to remember if they put their socks in the dryer, the smart laundry room appliances send notification to the owner’s phone to remind them when the washing or drying cycles are finished. Downloading the machine’s app also provides the option of turning on a cycle from a distance, in case those socks need a quick fluffing.

Next, the same concept made a leap to a similar appliance – the dishwasher. No more wondering if your plates are clean, because several companies now offer dishwashers that notify you when the plates are sanitized and dry.

Kindgren said that he finds that many of his customers enjoy the text update option, even if they aren’t sure how technologically advanced they want their dishwasher to be.

“I think a lot of times, customers feel unsure about having something that is that ‘smart,’ and notifications are one of those things that people feel comfortable with and see some value in,” he said. “It’s handy.”

Notifications are just the beginning of what smart home kitchen appliances are capable. Companies such as LG Appliance and Kitchenaid offer ovens that can be turned on or off with voice control.

“Let’s say you’re in the kitchen and you’re cutting up

DeMars Construction Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. DeMars Construction Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. DeMars Construction Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. chicken,” said Kindgren. “You’re halfway through the job and you realize you should have preheated the oven before you started cutting up work or exit the grocery store. This preheating feature also has a built-in safety device. Before leaving the house, a homeowner must press an DeMars Construction Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. the chicken and now your hands are a mess. Rather than having to wash up, start the oven, and go back to cutting chicken, if you have a voice assistant authorization button on the appliance to permit it to preheat. If anyone in the home opens the oven before it is set to preheat, that feature automaticallyin the kitchen, you can just ask the turns off. assistant to preheat the oven.” Kindgren gave an example of

Certain smart ovens can also be set to roommates who keep plastic storagepreheat from a phone app. This feature containers in their oven. If one is especially handy if a homeowner roommate removes the dishware has a tight schedule. Instead of setting in order to set the ‘remote enable’ the oven’s temperature right after button, but the other later opens thethey they rush through rush through oven to replace the containers, thethe the door and then door and safety feature prevents the possibilitywaiting waiting the 10 or the 10 of having an oven fire rather than a more more minutes minutes it delicious casserole. takes to heat, a homeowner can prep t h e oven a s they leave takes to heat, homeowner can t Ovens aren’t the only appliances equipped with safety features. Smart refrigerators and freezers can send alerts to your phone if a door is left open and the appliance starts to thaw. Others send notifications when its time to change a water filter. Smart grills have seen a steady rate of popularity. With the aid of a temperature probe that sends digital

Smart Home Appliances, alerts, chefs don’t have to hover are all GE products. over their meats. They can enjoy the company of family and friends and rely on their phone to check the burgers’ temperature.

The latest advancement in smart home technology is a heat-sensing range top. Rather than guessing the temperature of a pan based on the stovetop dials – or realizing that the pan is too hot based on how badly they burned the bacon – homeowners can set their stovetops to an exact temperature in the same way that they set their ovens.

“That’s pretty neat because we’ve never been able to do that before,” Kindgren said.

According to Kindgren, one of the best things about these new smart appliances is that they won’t break your bank. In general, the more advanced, energy-efficient appliances are now being equipped with smart technology. If you are willing to pay a little more for a quieter dishwasher, the likelihood is that it will also be programmed for text notifications. You’ll have a reasonably priced appliance with some time and effortsaving features thrown in.

From conception to completion, DeMars Construction employs a personalized approach to make From conception to completion, DeMars Construction employs a personalized approach to make each custom project a rewarding experience for their clients. Explore the possibilities for your home From conception to completion, DeMars Construction employs a personalized approach to make each custom project a rewarding experience for their clients. Explore the possibilities for your home From conception to completion, DeMars Construction employs a personalized approach to make with DeMars Construction. each custom project a rewarding experience for their clients. Explore the possibilities for your home with DeMars Construction. each custom project a rewarding experience for their clients. Explore the possibilities for your home with DeMars Construction. with DeMars Construction. Where Experience Meets Extraordinary Construction Where Experience Meets Extraordinary Construction Where Experience Meets Extraordinary Construction

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 • DeMars Construction 327 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato www.DeMarsGC.com Where Experience Meets Extraordinary Construction DeMars Construction 327 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato www.DeMarsGC.com 507-387-5933 DeMars Construction 327 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato www.DeMarsGC.com 507-387-5933 DeMars Construction 327 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato www.DeMarsGC.com 507-387-5933