Q:

It’s that time of year again, and I’m in the market for holiday gifts. As I get older, I’m becoming more interested in gifts that might provide peace of mind around the house or make homeownership just a tad easier. Anything come to mind?

A:

Gadgets and technology that can make life more pleasant and convenient are always welcome, and they can also offer benefits like safety and efficiency. Here, rather than dive deep on a single idea, we cover a few you might want to consider.

The first may not be the most exciting (unless you think smoke detectors are exciting), but it could save you in more ways than one. It’s a smart water leak detector.

Undetected leaks can lead to numerous problems — spiking water and energy bills, dry wells, flooding, etc. — that can cost money, time and headaches. In fact, water damage is a leading cause of property damage and homeowner insurance claims.

If you have a garden, you could consider deploying timers on your watering system to reduce some of the manual labor, help optimize water consumption and avoid overwatering.

Smart water leak detectors aim to limit water-related surprises by alerting you via alarms and smartphone notifications of pooling or dripping water before disaster strikes.

Place one of the puck-shaped devices on the floor where a leak could occur (some versions also use cabling to extend their range) and then just wait and hope you don’t hear anything. A side benefit is that if there are worrisome spots that you check regularly, a leak detector can provide relief from bending down and straining your back to take a look.

Smart water leak detectors shouldn’t break the bank — you can find highly reviewed basic models for as little as $30 or $40 — and could help prevent some really unwelcome scenarios.

A step beyond leak detectors are smart water shutoff valves, which monitor water flow rates and can actually turn off your home’s water supply line if needed. These are pricier and generally require a plumber to install, but they can be lifesavers, particularly if you’re frequently away from home or concerned about burst or frozen pipes.

Sticking in the realm of home water usage, if you have a garden, you could consider deploying timers on your watering system to reduce some of the manual labor, help optimize water consumption and avoid overwatering. There are also drip irrigation setups that use tubing with emitters to slowly drip water into the ground. This approach lets you pinpoint specific plants or areas to receive water, using it more efficiently.

One other category of gift ideas I want to mention is motion-sensing lighting. As the name suggests, these lights turn on when they detect movement, and they can be hardwired or battery powered.

Inside the home (such as in a closet, cabinet or dark corner), they can improve accessibility and convenience while limiting unnecessary energy usage; outside (by an entry door, gate or steps), solar-powered variants can charge up during the day and then serve as a safety and security measure at night.

So, there you have it. We touched on a few types of gifts to consider, and hopefully something caught your eye that can make your everyday home life a bit easier.