Garden Gadgets: Incorporating Tech Into Your Backyard
Modern technology is transforming our homes, both interior and exterior. There are many ways in which you can integrate technology into your home’s outdoor space while benefitting from the convenience, utility savings, and safety features of these devices. While there are many personal benefits, the positive environmental impact is an element that attracts some people to incorporating technology in their outdoor spaces. Here are just a few ways to use tech in your backyard.
Use smart outdoor lighting
Smart technology allows us to control elements of our home remotely from a phone or tablet. Many homeowners have smart interior lighting, but you can also use smart technology to control your outdoor lighting remotely. Being able to control your outdoor lighting remotely makes it very convenient since you will have access no matter where you are in the home. Investing in smart lighting is useful from a safety and security standpoint; the lights can turn on when there is motion detected or on a schedule. There are also smart lighting collections that integrate with security cameras to help protect your property; once motion is detected, it will activate the integrated doorbell camera to start recording.
Embrace solar energy
Many of us use solar lighting in our yards, but you could also consider setting up solar panel chargers. You can charge up your devices like phones and laptops while using them outdoors without the need for an outlet. There are all kinds of solar charging solutions on the market, some of which can be surprisingly affordable. Bonus - you can take these solar panel chargers with you when you go camping.
Use electric patio heaters
To help keep your outdoor living space warm in the evening, you could consider buying an electric patio heater. While chimneys and fire pits are alternative options, patio heaters can provide constant heat without having to attend to a fire. You can buy freestanding patio heaters, tabletop patio heaters, hanging patio heaters, and wall-mounted patio heaters. Electric patio heaters extend your backyard use into the autumn months when it can get a bit chilly in the evenings.
Consider electric retractable awning
Getting the right balance of sun and shade in the summer can be tricky. Rather than using a fixed awning that you cannot move or having to use a temporary canopy which can be a hassle to move, you consider a retractable awnings operated by a button or a smart awning that you can control with an app. Popular options include glass roof canopies with retractable shutters that come over the top, giving you permanent shelter with the option to regulate sunlight. There are smart awnings on the market with features that detect what’s currently happening. If it detects the sun, the awning will automatically extend and when it detects wind, it will automatically retract.
Add pumps and fountains to ponds
If you have a pond in your backyard, a pump or fountain could be important for keeping the water oxygenated. This could be important if you’re keeping fish. Keeping the water flowing could also prevent mosquitoes nesting in it. The likes of these Shinmaywa pond pumps can offer effective filtration. Fountains and waterfalls can also help to oxygenate water while serving as an eye-catching water feature.
Consider smart lawn sprinklers
If you use sprinklers on your lawn, consider opting for smart lawn sprinklers that you can control with an app. Water conservation is important to a lot of homeowners not only to save money in water bills, but there are some jurisdictions that require smart water management especially in areas prone to drought. Most smart lawn sprinklers operate based on the weather so you won’t see the sprinkler on if there’s rain. Some sensors can even detect moisture levels in the soil so it will skip a scheduled watering when it’s above a certain moisture threshold.
Buy a robotic lawnmower
Grab your lemonade on a hot summer day and sit on your deck while your robot lawnmower does all the work for you. Finally, if you hate mowing your lawn, this is the perfect upgrade. These lawnmowers can cut the grass for you without your assistance. It’s the ultimate garden gadget! I’ve seen these machines in action at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas and they’re not only useful, they’re pretty cute too. You can compare models here at this T3 lawnmower guide. With a little bit of setup so your lawnmower doesn’t mow your neighbors yard, you can sit back and relax.