Are smart homes a good idea? It’s a question that many people are asking themselves these days.
If you’re wondering whether or not to invest in one, this article will help answer any questions you have and provide some sound advice on the pros and cons of smart home technology.
The convenience of a smart home
It’s hard to deny the convenience of smart homes. With a swipe on your tablet or phone, you can control your lights, thermostat, and more from anywhere in the world.
But are smart homes worth it? The answer is different for everyone!
Some people love them because they save money on their energy bills, while others think they’re too expensive to justify the little things they do besides saving money.
And then, some believe that having a smart home makes them vulnerable to hacking.
Let’s talk about all those topics…
What are the benefits of having a smart home?
Now, let’s talk about the benefits of having a smart home.
Control everything remotely
The convenience of being able to control your lights or lock your door on the go is priceless.
You don’t have to worry about remembering where you left the key because it’s in whatever pocket you put it, and as long as someone has their phone with them, they can get inside!
You will also enjoy more convenience with controlling the lights or locks from anywhere in the world via an app.
Save money
One huge advantage is that your smart home may save you money.
If your smart thermostat can figure out when you’re at work and set the temperature to a lower setting, you’ll see savings on your energy bill!
A smart home can save you money by turning off high-energy devices when they’re not needed or being able to control them remotely with an app on your phone.
It’s possible to control the temperature, lights, and locks of your home from anywhere in the world.
This may seem like a small thing, but there are significant savings that add up over time!
Increase the property price
Yes, a smart home helps increase the property price.
This is because smart homes are now more desirable to buyers. Thanks to new technologies like Amazon Alexa being included, some homeowners have found they’re getting a better return on their investment reasonably quickly!
As of May 2018, Forbes reported that an average home with smart technology is more valuable and will sell for more than the average home without smart technology.
Increased energy efficiency
Since your home is automated, it will have increased energy efficiency.
It’s not only a question of saving money, but you can also preserve the environment and be proud of your collaboration with nature 🙂
Home management insights
Rather than worrying that your smart home will be hacked, think about how handy it would be to have a breakdown of all the data from your automated system?
It helps detect any faults, keeps on top of maintenance, and gives you insights into energy usage, which can help you make smarter decisions.
The disadvantages of having a smart home
While smart homes are a great idea, in theory, there are some disadvantages to having one.
The smart home cost
The most significant disadvantage is the cost. A typical fully smart house automation costs about $15,000 to build, and it can take up to 18 months for all of the features included in the home to be installed.
There is also an additional monthly fee of around $100 for internet services that your smart home requires each month.
Another disadvantage is that these types of homes usually require professional installation, which only adds to the price tag of your new home!
Your smart home can be hacked
Many people worry about their smart homes being hacked and losing control over everything they have invested into this technology.
Do you remember when the ring cameras were hacked and all of the videos and pictures were leaked?
This is a major concern with smart homes.
While many companies take steps to ensure that their product won’t be hacked, there’s always a risk involved when talking about technology in general.
The main concern is to have something critical such as your smart lock hacked. That is the worst-case scenario because it allows a stranger to get into your home.
If someone can get past your security system and into your house, they could take anything that isn’t bolted down.
Maintenance and repair issues.
Having a smart home brings maintenance and repair costs to the table you may not have had before.
For example, are you going to change your light bulb? You need to purchase a new one that is smart and more expensive.
You will need a smart app that usually brings an upfront cost and an ongoing maintenance fee to save videos in the cloud or connect to a monitoring center.
More technology means more maintenance and repair costs.
Of course, not having a smart home can also be costly in certain ways- such as when you need emergency repairs done or hire an electrician because of outlet issues.
System Compatibility
If you try to use smart devices from different brands, you may have a compatibility issue.
This will mean more money for upgrades and replacements and the time it takes to figure out what is going wrong with your smart home.
The best approach for a smart home is to use a technology that integrates everything seamlessly and doesn’t give you headaches.
Ohhh boy, this reminds me of the motion sensor on my kitchen connected to Alexa… sometimes, it simply stops working and leave me in the dark 🙁
The bottom line
The smart home can be a wonderful thing, but it does have its downfalls.
I believe that smart homes are a good idea, and there are much more pros than cons. I suggest you try using such amazing technology.
Thank you for getting here, and please share this article with your friends.
