Want to upgrade your home's tech? First, assess your energy maturity - here's how

As homeowners, few things get us lathered up quite like comparing our homes to the homes of our friends, family, and neighbors.

Whether it's a point of pride -- "Check out the new sod I put in. If you squint you'll think you're on the 18th fairway at Augusta" -- or a point of frustration - "I've got so many birds holed up in my dilapidated roof, I think they've just elected themselves a new mayor" -- we have a hard-wired need to share and overshare our home-related wins and losses.

Also: Stop waiting for an emergency to upgrade your home's tech - there's a better way

There are certain areas of the home, however, that have elevated potential to bring value to our lives beyond bragging rights or short-term fixes. Home energy tech, in particular -- while much of it is still nascent and yet ...