Do you want a smart home?

Not that long ago, the 1999 movie Smart House — which featured a fully-automated dream home run by a computer named Pat — seemed futuristic and farfetched. Fast forward to today, and they are not only on our country’s radar, but seem to be around to stay.

So what, exactly, are they?

Smart homes boast a number of interconnected devices and home appliances that perform certain actions or functions. While some of the smart devices could save you money, others simply enhance your home’s cool factor.