From school to work to travel, technology has changed virtually every aspect of life in the United States. In fact, 64 percent of American adults own a smartphone, and more than half of them use their smartphones almost exclusively for banking and to get health information. There’s no doubt that the demand for connectivity and high tech improvements has never been greater. The next big tech trend: the smart home.

Today’s homeowners are demanding convenience and style in upgrades that feature leading technology. Smart home enhancements really are just that – they make it easier to live comfortably, allow you to monitor your home while you’re away and also provide significant cost savings.

Here are five smart home upgrades to jumpstart your home’s futuristic appeal.

Smart smoke detectors
A basic smoke detector protects lives, but modern smart smoke detectors do much more. Not only do these devices better detect real smoke, such as burning toast, but they communicate with you about other concerns, too, such as dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and toxic indoor air quality. This information is immediately sent to your digital devices so you know about concerns even if you’re not at home.

Smart heating
Pellet stoves have long been considered a smart choice, as they offer efficient heat and cut back on fuel costs. The Harman Absolute43 takes pellet heating a step further and brings it into the future, with an innovative and intuitive touchscreen control that allows homeowners to accurately set the stove for ideal heat levels all day via a built-in scheduling feature. The system automatically sends alerts when maintenance is needed, plus it monitors performance for added efficiency to help homeowners save money. It’s also whisper quiet and features a flame enhancer for a more beautiful fire. Learn more at www.HarmanStoves.com.

Smart lighting
Lighting your home makes up 12 percent of your annual energy bill, according to Energy Star – so cut costs and be more comfortable and safe by installing smart lighting indoors and out. Sensors placed outdoors turn lights on when movement is detected, helping illuminate pathways and alerting you when someone may be in your yard. Inside, wake up peacefully by setting lights to slowly turn on in the morning; then, to save energy, program them to automatically turn off when you leave the home.

Smart locks
There are a variety of smart locks available—some replace the entire lock, while others fit over the existing deadbolt. Features vary, but some of the most notable provide digital notifications when someone knocks on the door, photos of people who come to the door, and the ability to open a lock with a quick wave of your smartphone.

Smart thermostat
Want to adjust the temperature of your home remotely so it’s perfectly comfortable when you return after work? That’s just one feature of a smart thermostat. Where homeowners get real value from this tech-savvy home upgrade is that it monitors and reports energy usage so you can make adjustments that save you money on utilities. And since heating and cooling account for 46 percent of your annual energy bill, those savings can add up fast.

Smart home technology upgrades can save you money and keep you safe, comfortable and connected to things that truly matter. Once considered a luxury, they’re now simply considered a smart investment.