[byline]Image: R Architecture via Unsplash.[/byline]
Smart home living is nothing new. In fact, as of 2019, 83 million households across the U.S. had at least one smart device within their home. That’s the very definition of what a smart home is: Using at least one or more devices connected to the Internet to control different aspects of the home. You don’t necessarily need a total home makeover in order for your living space to be considered smart. But what are the key benefits of smart home living?
People choose to invest in smart living for a variety of reasons. Smart devices are often meant to add convenience to your life or make things easier. Furthermore, they often reduce energy consumption or may boast some other kind of eco-friendly feature.
Some of the most popular smart home additions include lighting, speakers, thermostats, and cameras. While all of these devices are designed to improve your quality of life and make things easier, do they live up to the hype?
Smart homes and digital accessories for the home might be here to stay, but are they worth it? Let’s cover some of the benefits and potential drawbacks of smart home living.
What Makes Smart Home Living So Great?
The biggest positive to having a smart home is convenience. Wouldn’t it be nice to adjust your thermostat from anywhere, just with the touch of a button on your phone? What about looking at your security cameras when you’re away from home to make sure everything is safe? Smart homes put you in complete control, no matter where you are. Some of the additional benefits of smart home living include:
- Can allow for independent living (especially for those with disabilities);
- Can make life easier and more organized;
- Can deliver improved energy efficiency;
- Allow all of your devices to be managed in one place;
- Deliver better home security.
How smart your home is may also eventually have a positive impact on your home insurance. Smart devices are meant to keep you and your home safer, which can lead to insurance premium discounts, especially as some companies are stepping forward with a new approach to home insurance.
In the wake of COVID-19, more people are turning to smart home technologies like voice control and air quality monitors, recognizing the importance of a healthy and functional home. With a significant surge in work from home arrangements and general concerns about virus infection, many people are still staying at home more often than not. It’s a great time to look into which smart devices would most benefit you.
Are There Drawbacks?
With so many benefits to owning a smart home, it’s hard to think that there could be any disadvantages. There are some myths to be aware of, like the safety of smart meters (spoiler alert; they are perfectly safe). But, there are certainly some potential drawbacks to keep in mind. For instance, if you’re creating a smart home from scratch, the initial investment could be quite steep.
Granted, you will likely save money in the long run by using energy-efficient devices. But if you want to transform your entire home, you could be spending quite a bit. Additionally, there is a technology learning curve that comes with smart devices. If you don’t know how to use your devices properly, you won’t get the most out of them.
Finally, security systems and cameras are some of the most popular smart devices available. While they can certainly keep your house safer, they might also be putting you at a greater risk of cyber hacks. That can lead to a violation of privacy. Always make sure any devices you’re using are as secure as possible, and never share information with anyone. Foremost among the safety tactics here are keeping the device app and firmware updated with the latest available code.
Smart homes will only continue to grow in popularity as more technology becomes available. If you understand some of the potential issues you might face and know how to handle them, having smart devices in your home is a great way to make your life easier and more convenient.
