Smart home devices last for years, but eventually you want to replace them, sub them out for something more useful or just clear out space and apps in your home. But before hitting the recycling box, take a minute to see if that device can live again as a useful component in another part of the house.
As I review a constant stream of smart devices and home AI features in my home, I’ve found ways to re-use everything from smart plugs to old security cam in innovative ways. That gives them extra use and can even save money. Here are my favorite examples.
Read more: This Free Hack Turns Any Old Smartphone Into a Security Camera
Turn a cam into a birdwatcher
Outdoor cams can serve many purposes, including watching wildlife once their main job is through.
Security cameras eventually reach the end of their current life, especially when you upgrade to a higher resolution, choose to stop paying for video storage or move to a different home. But that doesn’t mean the camera is destined for the dustbin: These cameras generally still have working motion detection and apps that support live view. If they’re wireless, you still have the option to put them in many different spots.
One of the most popular new uses for old security cams is a bird or wildlife watcher. You can post these cameras in front of a birdfeeder or salt lick, for instance, to get up-close views of what wildlife comes near, along with (if you prefer) notifications about their movement. Open your live view to take a look and nab a screenshot if you want.
Bring an outdoor cam inside as a nanny cam
The end-gen Arlo Essential Indoor cam is an all-around nanny cam winner.
Outdoor security cams can run into major problems, including broken mounts, scratched lenses, poor fields of view or even legal troubles. If its time as an outdoor monitor has run out, don’t throw it away: Bring that camera inside for another task.
One effective job, even for a damaged camera, is keeping watch over a baby’s crib, pet bed or other nanny cam job. You can set up the old cam on a shelf or nearby table without needing a mount, and even a damaged camera can get a clear enough view and activate motion alerts to let you know about disturbances or changes in behavior that need your attention.
Revive a smart display as a digital photo frame
Old smart displays are perfect digital photo albums.
Whether you’re worried about privacy, upgrading to a new model or choosing a new method of home control, smart displays can reach the end of their useful lives, too. But even if you don’t use them to control smart homes, ask voice assistants questions, or watch videos anymore, they can still serve a purpose even if they aren’t a central hub anymore.
One of the best ways to use an old smart display is by converting it to a digital picture frame. All it needs is access to an outlet, and you can put the display on a shelf or table to showcase a favorite album of pictures, like an eternal screensaver of happy moments.
Echo Shows, Nest Hubs, and Lenovo smart displays all have the ability to tap into online photo albums like Google Photos or Amazon albums that you can manage and adjust whenever you want. Then, you can enable a photo mode on the smart display to show them off. That could give your display years of extra service at no additional cost.
Recruit a smart plug as an energy monitor device
You’d be surprised how many new purposes you can find for an old smart plug.
If you’re switching around appliances, lighting solutions or entertainment setups, you may find a smart plug or two you no longer use. In these cases, there’s another way you can use smart plugs even if you aren’t scheduling or controlling devices from afar. Most smart plugs can still work as energy monitors, giving you an idea of how much electricity any plug-in device in your home uses.
Passive energy monitoring can be useful for spotting ways to save money or finding the real energy hogs in your home, but that’s just the start. Even basic on/off functionality can have its uses as well, especially when it comes to safety. Some people, for example, like to recruit a smart plug where they plug in their blow-dryers or curlers so they can always know for certain if they are turned off or not. Others like to put one on small freezers, so they know if it has unexpectedly shut off.
Retrofit an old home security system
Wired home security systems don’t have to stay forgotten with retrofits.
Finding remnants of an old security system, especially a wired system that can’t be easily removed, is more common than you’d think for new homeowners and renters. While you must be careful accessing these devices, you can often retrofit them with a smart upgrade to make them functional again and play well with app controls — if you have the patience.
The key is using a solution like Konnected.io, which offers kits that convert old security alarm systems (and other things like old smart garage doors) into versions ready for Wi-Fi and advanced smart features. You can then use popular platforms like SmartThings, Home Assistant and Hubitat to control the security system with updated features.
The only downside to this conversion is that it will require some DIY work, including wiring in the new panel. It’s not going to work well with modern wireless security sensors, although those may be supported through Zigbee connections for other types of workarounds.
Can I remove components from my smart home devices and use those?
As an option to tinker around and learn about electronics, sure; as a way to reuse smart home technology — don’t expect anything. Hobbyists with the right tools, parts and coding platforms may be able to make something functional, but again, this is mostly for fun. And, of course, it will void your warranties and make products ineligible for trade-ins, donations, and so on.
For more information, visit our guide on how to start making your home smarter, how to reduce the number of smart apps you have to use and how specific smart home devices can save you money.
