Moving into a house that was the polar opposite of a smart home presented a unique challenge of integrating cutting-edge technology without compromising historical aesthetics or ruining the vintage vibe. After six months of research, learning, and careful implementation in a house built during the Roosevelt administration, the property now feels a harmonious blend of old and new. It demands considerable effort, but the journey remains exceptionally rewarding.
Upgrading the Heating and Thermostat
Addressing the heating system was an immediate priority on day one due to a faulty furnace emitting carbon monoxide, requiring local experts in the basement right away. For daily climate management, we paired the new furnace with the Ecobee Enhanced smart thermostat, which features a larger touchscreen than the basic Essential model and built-in radar motion detection.
Consulting detailed reviews highlighted the Ecobee's intuitive interface and straightforward setup process, making it a preferable choice over alternatives like the Google Nest, which lacks comparable presence sensors. The unit provides monthly energy recaps tracking furnace usage and home temperatures. With an uninsulated, drafty house, these insights prove extremely valuable, alongside local utility rebate programs offering monthly bill credits for operating a smart thermostat.
Positioned unobtrusively in the dining room, the modern display offers a digital touch without clashing harshly with the historic environment, even if vintage-style backing plates remain an option for future consideration.
Smart Air Conditioning for Vintage Windows
Installing a whole-home central air conditioning system proved prohibitively expensive as an initial project. Instead, we selected smart window units from Midea, designed to fit standard windows while simultaneously cooling, dehumidifying, and ventilating spaces.
These units excel in home bedrooms because they operate with whisper-quiet efficiency, housing the condenser externally. Their innovative U-shaped design allows windows to remain open by only about six inches rather than the twenty inches required by traditional window units. This feature proved essential given our old windows that do not open fully.
The companion app offers robust scheduling capabilities and remote operation, which proved especially delightful when activated while driving home from a camping trip. A clever sleep function gradually cools the room during bedtime and warms it slightly as outdoor temperatures drop overnight, complemented by an easily accessible filter.
Keyless Entry Without Hardwiring
Front door security needed immediate attention upon arrival, leading us to choose a smart lock system by Philips. This efficient and affordable unit eliminates the hassle of traditional keys by integrating Wi-Fi connectivity, unique fingerprint recognition, and temporary access codes for guests and pet-sitters.
Unlike many locks on the market, the Philips 4200 operates without requiring an external hub or dongle, featuring built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while running entirely on batteries. Priced reasonably around $120 without mandatory subscription fees, it offers seamless automation, allowing family members independence of movement and remote door status verification.
Upgrading Bathroom Comfort
Bathroom facilities from the 1970s received a comprehensive overhaul, highlighted by the installation of the Toto Aurora Washlet+ 7A with Integrativity System. This advanced toilet features automatic seat lifting, lowering, and flushing, alongside superior heated seating, adjustable oscillation, and pulsed washing actions.
Working with a professional plumber and electrician helped resolve specific installation requirements involving older pipe configurations and proximity to electrical outlets. The dual-phase cleaning system ensures pristine bowl hygiene while consuming only one gallon of water per flush, outperforming standard efficiency benchmarks.
Ambient and Smart Lighting Solutions
Navigating the complex and outdated electrical wiring of a historic home called for creative lighting strategies. Feit Electric smart bulbs enabled us to retrofit vintage fixtures and incorporate voice-controlled automation via smart home ecosystems in bedrooms. Additionally, Bluetooth-enabled sockets from Zoiinet allowed us to add overhead lighting in rooms lacking proper wiring without requiring a professional electrician.
Automated Pet Care and Cleaning
Household cleanliness is maintained effortlessly with Whisker’s Litter-Robot 5 Pro, an AI-enabled automatic litter box selected to accommodate our rescue cat, Jojo. The unit sends functional notifications regarding waste bin capacity and tracks usage data while neutralizing odors effectively. For general cleaning, retro-styled vacuum cleaners from Sebo provide robust filtration and aesthetic charm without requiring constant concealment.
Revitalizing the Yard with Smart Irrigation
The quarter-acre yard required substantial rehabilitation, starting with clearing invasive English ivy, enriching the soil, and planting a wild meadow mix. To manage irrigation across the expansive lot, we installed an OtO smart sprinkler, a solar-powered and app-controlled watering unit that operates via a standard garden hose and permits customized zone scheduling.
Kitchen Renovations and the Aquifier System
Kitchen remodeling represents a major ongoing project due to an awkwardly positioned layout. Initial steps involved installing the Aquifier 4-in-1 faucet system, which delivers filtered, hot, and sparkling water on demand, reducing reliance on bottled beverages while offering timeless aesthetics.
