At the end of the tiring day, you walk into your house and all you want to do is rest. Rather than you trying to find the keys or looking for a switch to turn on the lights, your house does it for you. The front door unlocks, the lights come on, and your preferred music begins to play. It is like a dream come true.
All this can be done by a Smart Home.
Smart homes have changed the way people used to live and nowadays more and more people are converting their traditional homes to smart homes. The technology of smart devices and home automation enable a person to control almost everything in their houses using a phone or even just their voice. These tech homes make lives easier, more convenient, and save energy.
From smart lights and thermostats to security cameras and kitchen appliances, there is a lot that smart homes can offer. But like with anything, they are both a good side and a bad side.
Smart homes are the future as many say. But does that mean that having a smart home actually improves one’s life? Or is it just some expensive fashion?
To find out more about it, it will be best to look at the positives and negatives, which we explore in this article.
How a Smart Home Works
A smart home is equipped with connected devices.
You can control your lights, the music, locks, and security cameras from your smartphone through apps. You can set up tasks, for instance, you can program your lights to turn on at certain times or set temperatures to adjust automatically. You can also do it through voice commands if you have Siri or Alexa. These devices can talk to each other with the help of smart hubs—like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
The one major prerequisite for running a smart home is a Wi-Fi connection that allows you to manage all these gadgets through the apps on your smartphone. Xfinity internet is known for its stable connectivity. Plus, Xfinity home security solution makes for a perfect combo with its internet service. You can get more details about that through the Xfinity phone number.
Benefits of Having a Smart Home
· Convenience
Smart homes make life super easy. You can control lights, locks, and temperature from your phone or a smart hub like Google Home or Alexa. No need to get up! Just say, “Alexa, turn off the lights”.
You forgot to lock the door? Do it from your phone. Some devices even learn your routine! For example, Alexa’s Hunches is an AI-based technology that can remind you to turn off lights or appliances at night. It’s like having a personal assistant at home.
· Remote Control
Smart homes let you control things even when you’re not at home. Did you forget to turn off the lights before leaving home? You can do it from your smartphone. Someone is at the door while you’re at work? Check and talk to them through your Arlo smart doorbell.
Smoke alarm go off when you’re not home? Arlo smart doorbell gives an instant alert so you can call for help. Even if you forget to lower the heat, a smart AI-based thermostat like a Google Nest thermostat can let you fix it anytime.
· Home Security
Smart home security keeps your house safe in real-time. Smart cameras, and doorbells like the Arlo Video doorbell and Ring Peephole Cam have motion sensors to alert you if someone’s outside.
You can check live footage from your phone anytime with the Echo Show. Smart smoke and CO detectors send warnings even when you’re away. Some systems even call the authorities if there’s a break-in or fire. So you can leave home with complete peace of mind.
· Energy Efficient
Smart homes help save energy. Smart thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat learn your schedule and adjust the temperature when you’re away. Likewise, Smart lights like Philips Hue turn off when no one’s in the room; they can detect movement through built-in sensors. Smart plugs track electricity usage so you know which devices waste power. Some even shut off automatically when not needed.
As a result, you get lower bills, so having a smart home is considered a budget-friendly lifestyle in the long-term.
Drawbacks of Having a Smart Home
· Added Costs and Maintenance
Despite its various benefits, smart homes cost a lot. Buying smart gadgets is pricey, and a complete smart home can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. A smart doorbell like Hello Nest? Over $200. A normal one? Just $50.
Plus, smart devices need updates and repairs to fix them. Smart plugs can stop working, apps can glitch, and fixing them takes time and money. Power surges? You have to spend on a full replacement. So, before buying, think if your savings are worth the high price or not.
· Security Concerns
Smart homes make life easy, but their biggest con is security risks. Hackers can break into your smart cameras or doorbells, see your home, and even disable alarms. Worst case? They lock you out and demand ransom.
Since smart devices store data online, hackers can learn your daily routine, get the house layout, and even access your videos. Even Alexa and Google Home aren’t 100% safe. A strong password helps, but nothing is completely hack-proof.
· Wi-F Dependency
Needless to say: smart homes need WiFi. If your connection is slow or keeps cutting out, your devices won’t work right. No footage saved in your smart doorbell. Smart lights will not respond.
Unlike a normal home, where no WiFi just means no streaming, a smart home stops being functional without it.
Key Takeaways
Smart homes make life easier with energy saving, better security, convenience, and automation, You can control everything with your phone and enjoy more convenience. But they also have big downsides. The cost is high, and devices need regular maintenance. While smart homes offer comfort and efficiency, they come with hidden costs and risks. So, think before making a thoughtful decision.