Our home is not only likely to be the biggest investment we make in our lifetimes, it is the place we spend the bulk of our down time and where we raise our family. Home is where the heart is, so when building a home, a lot of people really put their heart into the design. This most often takes the shape of the layout of the house and the care paid to certain details such as the kitchen or bathroom.   As there has been an ever-increasing environmental concern, some will also try to keep this in mind when they are planning the design of their home. The use of passive technologies, quality materials, and common sense in construction can dramatically increase the efficiency of the home and reduce the number of resources that are used in the construction of said home.   There are, however, certain things that many home builders fail to consider and that is the benefits of integrating what are called smart home technologies when building your home. Not only will these technologies allow you to reduce your carbon footprint and resource usage, they can also help you save money on utility costs. Smart home systems give you control over many aspects of home management, wherever you are. And smart home technologies can even give you the peace of mind of added personal security for your family.   There are any number of different pieces of technology that are encompassed under the umbrella term of "smart home technologies." What these are, in essence, is automated technologies that give homeowners a greater level of control over the management of many aspects of their home.   First and foremost, smart technologies allow you to do things like monitor your heating and cooling system, lights, and more, remotely, using an app on your smartphone or tablet. This gives you the convenience of keeping the thermostat exactly where you want it and not having a bunch of lights left on unnecessarily.   Smart home systems most often include a variety of cameras and intercom systems that not only make life a bit more convenient, but they enhance security as well. With these systems, you can easily check in on your kids while at work, see who is at the door, and many of these systems are connected to local emergency services so they will contact the police or fire department in the event of an emergency.   These systems are easy to use, convenient, and have the potential to save homeowners a ton of money on monthly and yearly utility costs. A smart home will be easier to manage, give you more control over the basics, and provided added security and peace of mind.   If you are interested in building and are in the SW Florida area, give Harden Custom Homes a call. (239) 205-5075 or visit www.hardencustomhomes.com.