Smart Home Technology Spending: Where Should You Invest in Your Smart Future?

The future of smart living isn’t just arriving—it’s being custom-built, one investment at a time. As more homeowners plan their upgrades, one question rises to the top: where should you invest your smart home technology spending to get the most comfort, efficiency, and long-term value?

From whole-home automation and surveillance to solar power, EV charging, and immersive entertainment, smart homes are evolving beyond luxury—they’re becoming essential. Whether you're designing a new residence, remodeling your forever home, or elevating a short-term rental into a premium stay, today’s smart home technology investments offer real returns.

But not every upgrade is equal. Some systems improve daily convenience. Others drastically reduce energy costs, improve property security, or enhance resale value.

This guide walks you through the top areas of smart home technology spending, organized by function—from automation and access control to solar, pool, Wi-Fi, and custom AV. Let’s explore where your smart money should go—and how to future-proof your home along the way.

Automation Systems That Simplify Daily Life

Smart home automation is no longer a futuristic perk—it’s the heartbeat of a modern home. Whether you’re managing lights, shades, climate, or audio systems, investing in smart home automation gives you the power to control everything from a single interface. The result? Comfort, consistency, and control with zero effort.

Homeowners are increasingly turning to platforms like Loxone and Crestron for scene-based automation that adapts to lifestyle routines. Imagine your home knowing when to warm up in the morning, dim the lights at sunset, or activate your nighttime security—without pressing a button.

This category of smart home technology spending is one of the most future-proof, especially when built on a wired backbone during new construction. Automating lighting, temperature, and shading not only enhances comfort but also supports energy efficiency and resale value.

Smart Home Technology Spending

1. Access Control: Smarter, Safer Entryways

Gone are the days of hiding keys under the mat. Today’s homes demand smarter, more secure ways to welcome family, guests, and service professionals. That’s why smart home technology spending on access control systems is on the rise.

From keypad locks and video intercoms to license plate recognition and remote garage access, modern access control isn’t just about security—it’s about convenience, flexibility, and peace of mind. Systems like Loxone allows you to open the door for your dog walker while you’re away or set temporary access codes for contractors.

For custom estates or gated properties, automated gate systems and geofencing technology provide seamless and elegant entry solutions. These integrations not only boost security, they also enhance the daily experience of coming home.

Smart access control is one of the top ROI areas in home tech investment. It helps prevent break-ins, monitors deliveries, and offers complete control over who enters and when.

2. Surveillance & Security: Eyes on What Matters Most

If there's one category where smart home technology spending consistently proves its worth, it’s surveillance and security. Homeowners are investing more in proactive systems that do more than just record—they think, alert, and even act.

With solutions like UniFi Protect, LTS, or Loxone-integrated cameras, today’s smart surveillance setups offer real-time motion alerts, license plate capture, person detection, and 24/7 remote access to your home’s surroundings. These aren’t just cameras—they’re intelligent monitoring systems designed to protect property and loved ones without requiring constant attention.

Pair your surveillance system with smart motion-activated lighting, automated blinds, and alarm triggers to create a fully integrated security ecosystem. Going a step further, some systems allow voice-activated lockdowns, sirens, or emergency routines triggered from your mobile device or control panel.

With more homeowners prioritizing peace of mind and property value, investing in security is no longer optional—it’s foundational.

3. Audio: Invest in Sound That Elevates Your Space

When considering your 2025 smart home technology spending, audio should be high on the list—not just for entertainment, but for lifestyle enhancement. Music and sound design are no longer confined to a single room. With whole-house audio systems, homeowners are turning their homes into immersive sound environments.

Distributed audio—such as Dolby Atmos-enabled living rooms, outdoor zone speakers, or multi-room streaming setups—is a hallmark of luxury living. Systems like Loxone Audio Server, Russound, Sonos, or URC Total Control allow you to enjoy synchronized music in every room, automatically adjust volume based on time of day, or even wake up to curated playlists.

Want your lights, music, and shading to react to your mood or daily routine? Scene-based automation makes it possible. Whether it's classical in the morning, nature sounds in the spa, or party mode on the patio, smart audio isn’t just a speaker—it’s an experience.

With increasing demand for high-performance, invisible, or in-ceiling audio, this is a top area where spending on smart home technology pays off in both ambiance and resale value.

4. Video: Smart Displays and Media Rooms That Do More

In the evolving landscape of smart home technology spending, video isn't just about having a big screen—it's about creating immersive visual environments that are integrated, automated, and customized to your lifestyle.

From 4K and 8K displays to projector-based media rooms, homeowners are investing in high-quality visual systems that elevate both entertainment and function, but smart video goes further. Think hidden TVs behind artwork, mirror displays in bathrooms, or centralized video distribution that sends cable, streaming, and surveillance feeds to any screen in the house.

Platforms like URC make it possible to design a single control interface for all your screens—whether it's a cinematic media room, a minimalist bedroom setup, or digital signage in a home office. Combine this with scene automation, and your entire room transforms at the press of a button: lights dim, blinds drop, and your content begins.

Whether you're a sports fanatic, a movie buff, or you simply want video intercom capabilities at the door, video integration is an investment in daily comfort and modern lifestyle.

5. Solar and Battery: Powering the Future of Smart Living

When planning your smart home technology spending, solar and battery storage are no longer just eco-friendly upgrades—they’re the backbone of energy independence, long-term savings, and grid resilience.

More homeowners are investing in solar energy systems and home battery backup as foundational components of smart living. But integrating these systems isn’t just about putting panels on your roof—it’s about automated energy management that knows when to charge, when to conserve, and how to power your home during outages or peak hours.

Platforms like Loxone can intelligently switch between solar, grid, and battery use based on real-time consumption and weather conditions. Want to run your HVAC, EV charger, and pool heater from solar without overloading? That’s where smart automation and load management come in. The system decides for you—seamlessly and efficiently.

Investing in smart solar and battery solutions now means reducing your dependence on rising utility rates while aligning your lifestyle with sustainability and future-proof technology.

6. EV Charging: Ready for Tomorrow’s Transportation

As electric vehicles continue to surge in popularity, investing in a smart EV charging station at home is becoming a must—not a luxury. If you’re evaluating smart home technology spending, EV charging should be at the top of your list for both convenience and future-proofing.

Smart EV chargers do more than simply refill your battery. Integrated with platforms like Loxone, they can charge your car when solar energy is abundant, avoid high-rate utility hours, or pause charging during power-hungry moments elsewhere in the house. It’s not just charging—it’s intelligent energy management.

Whether you’re driving a Tesla, Rivian, or future EV, your home should be ready. With the right automation system, your EV charger becomes part of a cohesive energy ecosystem, working in sync with your solar panels, battery storage, and home power monitoring system.

EV charging at home is fast becoming one of the smartest upgrades you can make—and one that keeps giving for years to come.

7. Pool & Spa: Comfort, Climate, and Control

Few upgrades enhance lifestyle like a pool or spa—yet without smart control, these amenities can become costly to maintain and energy-intensive. That’s where pool automation earns its place in your smart home technology spending.

With a system like Loxone, you gain effortless, centralized control over water temperature, air humidity, circulation pumps, LED lighting, and automated covers—all from the same interface that manages your home. Whether you're preparing the spa before guests arrive or scheduling nightly filtration to avoid peak energy hours, intelligent automation gives you unmatched comfort and efficiency.

For indoor pools especially, smart climate control ensures air quality and dehumidification are continuously balanced, protecting both your health and your building. And if your pool area doubles as a wellness retreat, automation can trigger music, lights, and aromatherapy to create immersive, spa-like scenes.

Your pool or spa can be more than a static luxury—it can be a smart, energy-conscious extension of your home.

8. Outdoor Entertainment: Beyond the Living Room

Today’s luxury homes are not confined by walls—your backyard, patio, or rooftop can become a dynamic extension of your smart lifestyle. If you're evaluating your smart home technology spending, outdoor entertainment is one of the most rewarding investments.

With systems like Loxone, URC you can extend multi-zone audio, video streaming, lighting, and even climate control outdoors. Imagine music that follows you from the kitchen to the pool, a TV that rises from a weatherproof enclosure at sunset, or pathway lights that respond to guest arrival.

Smart outdoor entertainment goes beyond convenience—it elevates ambiance, security, and property value. Whether it’s a movie night under the stars, a game-day cookout, or an elegant garden party, automation ensures seamless control over every detail.

And when integrated with surveillance and lighting, your outdoor spaces remain both fun and functional—day or night, all year round.

9. Internet & Wi-Fi: The Backbone of Every Smart Home

Before smart lighting turns on, before music plays in sync from room to room, before security cameras stream in HD—there must be rock-solid internet and Wi-Fi infrastructure.

If you’re mapping out your smart home technology spending, this is the foundation. A high-performance network isn’t a luxury—it’s a requirement.

Systems from UniFi or enterprise-grade mesh solutions provide seamless whole-home coverage, advanced traffic management, and high-bandwidth performance that ensures your smart devices work together without lag or dropouts.

Proper planning includes wired backbones with Cat6 or fiber optic cabling for high-bandwidth zones (like home theaters or office spaces), plus PoE (Power over Ethernet) for security cameras, wireless access points, or smart lighting control modules.

From smart TVs to video doorbells, every interaction depends on a responsive, reliable connection. Don’t let beautiful technology underperform due to weak Wi-Fi or poor bandwidth planning.

A fast, secure, and scalable network ensures your investment in automation, entertainment, and security systems performs to its fullest—now and in the future.

Custom Technology Add-ons: Personalized Automation for Elevated Living

Every smart home has lighting, security, and climate control—but what makes your home truly yours are the personalized touches that turn automation into lifestyle design.

That’s where custom technology add-ons come in—features tailored specifically to your home, business, or passions. This is often the most meaningful part of smart home technology spending, as it reflects your unique habits, hobbies, and future plans.

Imagine these possibilities:

• Smart Wine Cellars that monitor temperature, humidity, lighting—and even play curated music when you step inside.

• Indoor Pool Environments with Loxone automation for air quality, water temperature, dehumidification, and spa lighting—all controlled from a touch interface or completely automated based on use patterns.

• Multifunctional Wellness Rooms that sync audio, circadian lighting, aromatherapy diffusers, and climate to create a restorative retreat at the touch of a button.

• Commercial Franchise Automation—from Dunkin' Donuts to boutique spas—using Loxone to control HVAC, lighting scenes, music, and energy use with precision and minimal human intervention.

• Gate Access with License Plate Recognition for farm properties or gated estates, integrated into your surveillance and lighting system.

• Solar Roofs with Smart Load Management—prioritizing EV charging, HVAC, and battery storage depending on time-of-use energy rates or weather patterns.

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re part of a new wave of experiential automation—blending design, engineering, and digital control to create deeply integrated environments.

At Heyo Smart, we don’t just install devices. We design immersive technology ecosystems—for your passions, your property, and your peace of mind.

Heyo Smart: Nationwide Design, Custom Coding, and Support for Complex Smart Home Systems

Heyo Smart doesn’t just install technology—Heyo Smart engineers it. Our team goes beyond simple device pairing to deliver custom-coded smart home solutions that work exactly the way you want them to. Whether you're building a modern residence, luxury estate, boutique hotel, or a mixed-use commercial space, we provide nationwide technology design and support backed by deep technical expertise and a passion for problem-solving.

What sets us apart? Custom programming. When your smart home or building system needs devices to “talk” to each other in ways they weren’t originally designed to—we make it happen. Our developers write custom code and bindings to bridge platforms, protocols, and hardware.

We build that logic ourselves—no third-party middleware or kludged shortcuts.

Our capabilities include:

• Developing custom APIs and integrations for third-party systems

• Writing custom bindings and control logic for platforms like Loxone

• Creating event-driven automations based on real-world sensor data

• Designing solutions where no native driver or plugin exists

From initial concept to final commissioning, Heyo Smart is your one-stop team for technology integration, structured cabling, network design, automation programming, and long-term support. And because we operate nationwide, you’ll never be stuck without help—even when the tech gets complicated.

So whether you’re an interior designer needing a flush, hidden control system, a builder planning centralized low-voltage, or a homeowner seeking a no-compromise automation experience—Heyo Smart delivers the code, the care, and the craftsmanship to bring it all together.

Invest Smarter, Live Smarter—With Heyo Smart

In 2025, smart home technology spending isn’t just about gadgets—it’s about investing in a better way to live. From automation to audio, security to solar, EV charging to immersive outdoor experiences, each system you choose shapes how your home responds, protects, and enhances your daily life.

But the difference between a smart home that works and one that truly understands you comes down to the integrator.

Heyo Smart isn’t a plug-and-play installer—we’re your nationwide partner in high-performance technology design, custom coding, and long-term system support. Whether it’s building custom bindings for Crestron or Loxone, optimizing wireless coverage for outdoor entertainment, or designing automation logic to unify solar, HVAC, and smart lighting, our team solves what others shy away from.

So if you're ready to build a smarter home—or smarter business—that’s tailored to your lifestyle, your needs, and your future…

Let Heyo Smart help you invest with intention.

Contact Heyo Smart today to start your custom smart home journey.