4 Techy Outdoor Projects to Take on This Spring

The arrival of spring signifies something new. And what better way to embrace the new season with fresh updates around your property. Whether you want to keep your yard looking green all summer or if you want to make your home a safer place for you and your family, these techy updates can help you do just that.

Solar Panels

Not only is solar energy renewable and sustainable, it’s affordable, too. Each year the cost of using solar to produce electricity goes down, which is great news for eco-conscious and budget-wise homeowners. If you need some convincing, consider that solar boasts financial returns and lower monthly utility bills. Additionally, solar panels are often viewed as upgrades, which means that the addition is likely to increase your home’s overall value. Here in the United States we have good to excellent solar resources. Even areas of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska can experience the benefits and cost-savings of going solar.

Home Security

Monitor and protect your home, family and property with a home security system. Today’s modern surveillance systems can give your peace of mind, whether you are away from home or enjoying a backyard barbecue. There are a wide-variety of indoor and outdoor home security systems to choose from, all of which are simple to install. When putting up your cameras or video monitors be sure to place them in the most effective places. Security experts advise placing the monitors in high-traffic areas including hallways and staircases, at entrances and windows, and nearby high-value items around your home.

Smart Sprinkler

Searching for a way to keep your grass green all summer long? You can use a traditional sprinkler system. Or you opt for Rachio, a smart Wi-Fi-connected sprinkler system. Rachio is compatible with almost all irrigation or sprinkler systems which means that you can use it with your existing sprinkler heads and pipes, and can be installed in 30 minutes or less. Setup requires no special expertise or tools. And there’s no plumbing or digging required. The smart sprinkler system uses local weather data to calculate how much water your lawn or landscape needs. Plus, you can use the advanced smartphone control to personalize watering schedules or customize zones that consider factors like sun exposure, slope and vegetation type.

Robotic Lawn Mower

Don’t spend your summer weekends mowing the grass. Have a robot do it. Not your father’s mower, the Worx Landroid uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to navigate and trim your lawn. Think of it as a Roomba, but for cutting grass. The robot lawn mower has a user-friendly control panel that features a programmable timer as well as a fully automated mowing system. The cordless mower can navigate narrow passageways around your lawn. And it has a built-in sensor that halts operation if it rains and resumes when grass is no longer wet. The Landroid even comes equipped with an anti-theft system. Now that’s smart lawn care.

The latest tech gadgets and gear aren’t just for the inside of your home. These smart outdoor home additions can make your home and property the smartest home on the block.