AI-Powered Home Renovations: What to Do With All the Old ‘Smart Home’ Tech

Because technology is advancing so rapidly, many modern homes already have a lot of outdated AI technology lying around. Old AI tech can be as annoying as locking you out of thermostat features and as urgent as security systems failing to distinguish between people and pets. If your tech lags, you should start renovating. But before you start, you’ll need to know where to put all those outdated smart switches and tablets.

Why You Can’t Just Trash Old Tech and E-Waste

It’s tempting to throw away your old technology. However, tossing out smart devices comes with consequences for you and the planet:

• Environmental impact: Only 22.3% of e-waste is collected and disposed of properly. Most technology includes hazardous substances or toxic additives.
• Data security risks: Your address, phone number, facial recognition data and other personal information are on every device. You won’t want that info getting out.
• Wasted resources: Modern technology contains rare earth elements, conductors and precious and structural materials. All of them are limited and difficult to reproduce.

There are a few things you can do with old smart home tech. For operational tech, you could repurpose it. For everything else, sell on the second-hand market or take the devices to a certified technology recycling center after wiping all information from them. Then you can turn your attention to the renovation.

A Strategic Offboarding Plan for Your Old Smart Home

Knowing what to do with old systems and dysfunctional plugs is vital. Take these steps to dispose of and upgrade your smart tech safely. 

1. Audit and Inventory Your Tech Ecosystem 

The most organized renovations begin with a plan. About 58% of homeowners say renovations take longer than expected. Creating a detailed inventory of all devices will speed up the process and give you an idea of what to replace and why. 

Write the names of every smart device on your network in an Excel spreadsheet or notebook. You can use a network scanning tool or your router’s admin interface to view all connected devices. Locate hubs for items like Amazon Alexa and SmartThings, as these brands have dedicated hub channels in the app. If you haven’t already, label your tools in your router settings so they’re easy to find in the future.

For devices you plan to keep, do a safety audit. This is a time-saving measure for when you connect the old tech to the new. Be sure to change default logins, upgrade to WPA3 Wi-Fi encryption and disable the often vulnerable WPS. 

Use a unique password for all smart tools. A strong password includes a random string of numbers, letters and special characters and is over 16 characters long. 

2. Repurpose Old Technology in New Ways

Old technology is still useful with a few tweaks. Even if you have little to no tech background, you can adjust smart appliances. Keep in mind that you may not be able to connect old systems to new ones. If that’s a deal breaker, check compatibility between your old and new devices before purchasing upgrades.

Think about the Mottainai organization method during the audit, which involves reusing items instead of throwing them away. With that in mind, here’s how to repurpose old tech:

• Smart speakers: Kitchen timers, garage music players or white noise machines
• Smart displays: Wall-mounted picture frames or connect to assistant apps
• Smart plugs: Use for devices that don’t require automation, like dehumidifiers
• Smart cameras: Place in low-priority areas inside, like near a pet crate
• Smartphones: Great for remotes to control your smart home ecosystem
• Smart security systems: Kits can convert old systems to Wi-Fi-ready versions

Avoid reusing security systems and locks for exterior windows, doors and cameras for your safety unless you’re certain they still provide optimal protection. 

3. Secure, Sanitize and Wipe Your Digital Footprint 

Disposing of old technology can expose you to data risks. Approximately nine million Americans have their identities stolen every year. Thieves can use this data to open credit cards, commit tax fraud and purchase large items under your name. For these reasons, you must scrub all data from your smart tools.

The steps to remove your personal data depend on the device. Delete the account email tied to the smart devices first. If you’re using your main email, change the email address on every app or device. Make an email specifically for your smart home in the future. 

A factory reset is a necessary process and can make data very difficult or impossible to retrieve. Go beyond that and delete linked cloud accounts, disable voice recording in settings and remove SIM or SD cards. If you won’t use a specific app again, delete your account and the app itself. 

To be extra safe, consult a data removal service. These companies can scan and remove your personal information from data brokers who may already have it. 

4. Think About New Technologies Before Renovating

Before removing anything from walls and floors, start shopping for something new. Doing this step first will help you understand what fits in your home and what may be compatible with your old technology. Focus on upgrading outdated tech, and if you’re shopping for an entirely new suite, make sure you follow these strategies:

• Adopt Matter standard: For seamless communication for old and new devices
• Centralized control: Transition to a single system under one app
• Strengthen Wi-Fi network: Upgrade to a mesh system for full coverage
• Localized processing: For faster response times than cloud-dependent tools

Consider adopting AI security products before thinking about convenience. Smart gadgets, such as smart garage door openers, will enhance the security and safety of your property. 

With this in mind, you can start removing your tools from the drywall.

DIYers can carefully remove drywall and patch holes to change mounted equipment, but use caution when interacting with wires or plumbing. For this step, hire a professional electrician. 

Rent a dumpster to dispose of drywall. Don’t throw out smart devices or electrical wires unless the dumpster company is a certified electronics recycler. 

5. Recoup and Resell, Tapping Into the Secondhand Market 

You can sell anything you haven’t thrown out but don’t want to keep on the secondhand market. Some electronics can sell at a premium to the right buyer. 

To increase your chances of selling, stick to tools in good condition. For anything with visible dents or scratches, be honest about the wear and tear, missing components or damage in the description. Clean the device until it’s dust-free. Take high-quality photos and use good lighting. Your smartphone should have a good enough camera.  

It also helps to sell your electronics on popular websites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Swappa and Back Market. Before creating a listing, research pricing by looking up similar items and select a price a bit lower than average. 

Retailers like Best Buy offer trade-in programs for gift cards. Not all devices are eligible, and older smart tools often have a lower trade-in value.

If you think someone could benefit from your device, but you don’t want to sell it, donate it. 

6. Recycle Responsibly: Finding a Certified E-Cycler 

After exhausting all of your options, throw out your tech.

It’s unsafe to dispose of all electronics in a regular dumpster because they contain toxic chemicals. Some of the worst contenders are batteries, cathode ray tubes, circuit boards, mercury switches and brominated flame retardants. You can find a mix of all of these components in most smart home devices.

To safely dispose of electronics in the United States, contact a company with an e-Stewards or R2 certification. You can find a list of certified companies by going to their website and searching the directory. Ask about the company’s data security services, as many offer them as an add-on at an extra cost.

Also consider contacting local government programs and ERI Direct. Both can point you to designated drop-off locations for electronic devices. 

7. Set Up Your New Smart Home With Markers

Your old tech is gone, so you can start installing the upgrades. Follow all of the installation steps for your device and test that your security, lighting and HVAC systems are working first. Ensure proper wiring once equipment is set up by calling an electrician.

Whether you install the technology yourself or have a qualified professional do so, be sure to patch all holes afterward. Always check that your tech is fully operational and communicating with other devices before closing up your walls. 

Throw any extra debris that isn’t an electric device or electric wiring in a regular dumpster.

Since technology moves quickly, mark where your wires and pipes sit in the wall. The next time you need to replace any tool, you’ll have a clear indication of where not to drill. You can expect to pay $200 to $1,578 on average every time you upgrade your smart home system.  

Building a Future-Proof and Sustainable Intelligent Home 

True smart home ownership is about responsible stewardship of technology. Always dispose of your electronics properly before starting your renovation. Not only is it better for the environment, but you’ll have the peace of mind that your information won’t end up in the wrong hands.