Verizon at Home

[#1]

Blog courtesy of Verizon #SmartHome Ambassador Jean Parks (@geekbabe)

Have you ever wished for a ‘Smart Home?’ I don't know about you but I've longed to be able to control my home heating/cooling, lighting and security all from one central place that I can access from anywhere I might be. Yes, there are various individual systems out there but few of them do it all, and having to deal with multiple accounts, passwords and bills frankly annoys me.

Here’s what’s on my smart home wish list (besides a robot to fold my laundry!):

Conserve energy

My energy bills for heating and cooling are scary! I want to be able to adjust the temperature at home from wherever I might happen to be. Being able to use my smartphone to raise the temp just before I leave from work would be awesome. Being able to adjust indoor/outdoor lighting from the same system so I'm not coming home to a dark house and fumbling to get my keys in the lock would be a bonus.

A home security system

Counting up the number of days I had to leave work early last year to get a delivery or let a repair person into my house is at the top of my list of life annoyances. I would love the ability to unlock a door remotely in order to grant access to my home, without having to beg busy neighbors to help or leaving my house keys with strangers.

Give me a worry-free vacation

Going away is great but I have a cat and I go crazy worrying about what might be going on at home! Being able to set up video cameras inside and out of the house that will monitor the place would be excellent! Having a system that will let me easily set up a "vacation mode" that will let me know if something is going on that requires my immediate attention is what I need. Being able to log onto the same system and actually see what's happening would ease my mind considerably!

One home monitoring system for everything!

Well, now there is such a system! Verizon FiOS, well-known for its super smooth TV viewing and blazing fast Internet speeds, also offers Verizon Home Monitoring and Control. The smart home requires robust, reliable Internet access and the fiber optic network of FIOS is prepared to deliver. I figured a system like the one I've wished for would be out of my price range but a starter kit is only $89.99 and the ongoing service is only $9.99 per month.

The cost of getting started will easily be made up in energy savings! My house will be more comfortable, more secure and my family will have fewer worries!

What is your dream smart home? What household tasks would you like to handle remotely? How do you think Verizon's 100% fiber optic network technology can help you and your family?

Disclosure: As a Verizon Smart Home ambassador I have been compensated for my participation. Opinions expressed about the services offered are my own.

[#2]

Smart Girl, Smart Home....it only makes sense!