You've probably heard about smart home technology, but is it worth the investment? Whether you are looking to dip your toes in with one or two smart devices or fully automate your home, here are five ways smart technology can save you time and money and make your life easier.

1. Lower energy bills

Smart thermostats automatically adjust temperatures to save energy based on your schedule. They also include advanced features, such as remote control and self-programming. Smart plugs or smart outlets cut power to plugged-in devices that are not being used. Connect your smart devices to your smart home hub, and you can quickly and easily turn things down or switch things off using your mobile device or voice assistant.

2. Tidier cleaning experience

With a connected smartphone app or voice assistant, you can send a smart vacuum out to pick up dust, crumbs and other messes. These advanced vacuums can travel over hard floors and carpet before heading back to the dock to recharge.

Smart air purifiers are an excellent solution for keeping the air clean. They can monitor your home's air quality, capture dust and allergens, kill airborne germs and eliminate odors. You can keep your indoor air clean without having to lift a finger.

3. Upgraded security

Smart locks take the guesswork out of home security. You can lock or unlock your door remotely from your smartphone. You can pair the locks with a home automation system or an entire home security system.

Even doorbells are getting into the smart home act. With a smart video doorbell, you can answer the door from anywhere, keep an eye out for deliveries, and even catch a burglar.

4. More joyful cooking

Smart devices can help put joy back into cooking. Smart refrigerators have built-in cameras, so you can check what ingredients you have and plan dinner from the couch. With a smart range and a connected smartphone app, you can preheat the oven or turn on the stove with a few taps. With a connected smart speaker, you can do all of this with voice commands.

After dinner, a smart dishwasher can adjust its cycle settings based on the load size and time of day to cut down on energy and water waste.

5. Reduced laundry workload

With connected smart clothes washers and dryers, you can start a load of laundry remotely and get notifications when a cycle is finished. These advanced appliances often come with additional features that can save you time and money, such as cycle customization, detergent-level alerts and shorter cycle times.

Many smart washer and dryer models can make troubleshooting problems much easier with remote diagnostics. If something goes wrong, you'll receive a notification. Some smart models can even communicate with the manufacturer and schedule a service call.

As you can see, advanced smart home technology can help make savings, comfort and convenience a part of your daily routine.