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Collection by David Glenn

DIY Home Automation Gadgets for 2013

Home automation is an incredible way to simplify the life of a homeowner. By automating all of your technologies, you can not only make your life easier, but you can save yourself a lot of money and hassle. And it is surprisingly easy to do yourself. DIY home automation is not only easy, but it is cheap. Here are nine cool gadgets that you can use to automate your house for 2013.

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Automatic Door Opener Don’t you hate it when someone knocks on the door, and you know that it is just one of your roommates or family members who has forgotten their key? This problem is easily solved through the use of an automatic door opener. It is also handy if you happen to be carrying a lot of heavy things, and need to get through a closed door. Photo via SafetyEd.
Automatic Door Opener Don’t you hate it when someone knocks on the door, and you know that it is just one of your roommates or family members who has forgotten their key? This problem is easily solved through the use of an automatic door opener. It is also handy if you happen to be carrying a lot of heavy things, and need to get through a closed door. Photo via SafetyEd.
Smart Power Strip One of the best things about home automation is that it not only makes life easier for you, but it can save you money and the environment at the same time. A smart power strip is a great way to do this, as it will detect when your appliances are doing nothing but wasting energy, and turn them off.
Smart Power Strip One of the best things about home automation is that it not only makes life easier for you, but it can save you money and the environment at the same time. A smart power strip is a great way to do this, as it will detect when your appliances are doing nothing but wasting energy, and turn them off.
Video Doorbell This goes one step further than the door opener, and allows you to see who is at your door through a video camera that is attached to the door bell. This is a great way to add security to your home, as you only have to let in people that you trust. But there is also the added bonus of a remote control that you can use to unlock the door without ever having to leave your seat. Photo via Digital Trends.
Video Doorbell This goes one step further than the door opener, and allows you to see who is at your door through a video camera that is attached to the door bell. This is a great way to add security to your home, as you only have to let in people that you trust. But there is also the added bonus of a remote control that you can use to unlock the door without ever having to leave your seat. Photo via Digital Trends.
Smartphone Control You may not realize it, but you probably already own a useful home automation tool: your smartphone. All you have to do is download one of the many home automation apps, and use it to link together your various technologies. Photo via Vivint.
Smartphone Control You may not realize it, but you probably already own a useful home automation tool: your smartphone. All you have to do is download one of the many home automation apps, and use it to link together your various technologies. Photo via Vivint.
Floor Cleaner If you don’t want to, you won’t even have to vacuum your floor yourself in 2013. And not only are there smart vacuums that will do the work for you, but there are smart floor cleaners that will tackle surfaces that need more than just a vacuum. Photo via RobotShop.
Floor Cleaner If you don’t want to, you won’t even have to vacuum your floor yourself in 2013. And not only are there smart vacuums that will do the work for you, but there are smart floor cleaners that will tackle surfaces that need more than just a vacuum. Photo via RobotShop.
Automatic Pet Feeder Now when you go out for a long day, you do not have to worry about who will feed your pet. Automatic pet feeders can be set to a timer, and will release small amounts of food gradually throughout the day. Photo via Luxist.
Automatic Pet Feeder Now when you go out for a long day, you do not have to worry about who will feed your pet. Automatic pet feeders can be set to a timer, and will release small amounts of food gradually throughout the day. Photo via Luxist.
Keyless Door Entry A keypad is a much safer way to lock your door than a key. And now you can hook it up to a remote control, or your phone, and lock or unlock it from anywhere.
Keyless Door Entry A keypad is a much safer way to lock your door than a key. And now you can hook it up to a remote control, or your phone, and lock or unlock it from anywhere.
Grocery List Manager A grocery list manager will hook up to your computer or phone and let you create a list, ready for you to print out when you are going shopping. This is the precursor to a cool smart fridge that is being released this year. The fridge will connect to the internet, allowing you to access your grocery list from anywhere you have access to the internet. Photo via TechCrunch.
Grocery List Manager A grocery list manager will hook up to your computer or phone and let you create a list, ready for you to print out when you are going shopping. This is the precursor to a cool smart fridge that is being released this year. The fridge will connect to the internet, allowing you to access your grocery list from anywhere you have access to the internet. Photo via TechCrunch.