The Delicate Art of Making a 1907 House Smarter

When we moved into the old house, it was quite the opposite of a "smart home." The challenge was integrating modern technology into this historical structure without compromising its aesthetic appeal or ambiance. Over the past six months, we have been constantly learning, researching, and integrating cutting-edge technology into the house built in the Roosevelt administration, marking a delicate balance between the old and new.

One of the first changes we made was replacing the home's heating system. Our furnace was releasing carbon monoxide, and we acted immediately. We paired our new furnace with the Ecobee Enhanced smart thermostat, which boasts a larger touchscreen and built-in motion detection. We referred to WIRED's thorough review of the Ecobee, which highlighted its user-friendly setup and interface, making it an ideal choice over competing options like the Google Nest, which lacks the Ecobee's presence sensors.

The Ecobee provides monthly summaries of our furnace usage and the average temperature within our home.

We also took on the challenge of installing a smart air conditioner system for our old windows. The Midea units, which require no hardwiring, are installed in standard-sized windows and provide cooling, dehumidifying, and ventilation. With their U-shaped design, these units require only a six-inch window opening, making them ideal for our drafty home.

The Midea app offers scheduling, remote control, and a sleep function that allows you to set the room temperature as you fall asleep and gradually increase it as the night progresses. As we await a full-house air conditioning upgrade, these Midea units have already significantly improved our comfort.

Addressing the outdated front door locks was another priority. We opted for the Philips 4200 smart lock, which eliminates the need for keys and provides fingerprint recognition and remote access. These smart locks are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, eliminating the need for a separate hub or subscription. At $120, the Philips 4200 is an affordable and efficient solution that adds smart functionality to our home without drawing attention.

Finally, we transformed our old toilets with the Toto Aurora Washlet+ 7A with Integrativity System. This modern bidet toilet seamlessly integrates Toto's renowned S7A bidet, offering automatic seat opening and closing. The result is a luxurious and hygienic experience that has surpassed our expectations. The Toto Aurora Washlet+ 7A has elevated our bathroom experience, making it one of the nicest toilets we have ever used.