Amy Hoak's Home Economics: 5 tech gadgets you need in your home today

Homeowners are increasingly looking to technology for home security solutions, to save on heating and cooling costs and even to help them cook the perfect steak.

In fact, 46% of consumers recently surveyed by ERA Real Estate and HGTV said it was important for their current or next home to have smart home technology. And 51% of the 2,437 consumers polled said theyd consider installing smart home technology in their home to make it more appealing to future buyers.

Smart home technology often refers to a home that is connected using the Internet. Whether we are inside the house or 1,000 miles away from the house, we can control and monitor it, said Dave Pedigo, senior director of learning and emerging technologies for the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association.

A big reason smart home technology is becoming more mainstream: Theyre making things so user friendly, so its easy for people to adopt the technology, said Jon Ellen Snyder, a Montana real-estate broker with ERA Landmark in the Bozeman/Livingston area. It is also becoming more affordable, which helps in bringing it to the masses, she said.

Here are some of the top smart home technology products.

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Amy Hoak's Home Economics: 5 tech gadgets you need in your home today