In out last post, we exposed the first 5 common smart home myths. In this article, we will discuss myths #6-10.
- Smart home technology is just a gimmick.
- Smart home set up requires technical knowledge.
- There’s no privacy in a smart home.
- Smart homes are easily hacked.
- Smart homes are too complicated to operate.
- All smart devices are compatible.
- Home automation is too expensive.
- Smart home devices are not reliable.
- Smart homes consume a lot of energy.
- Creating a connected home isn’t a worthwhile investment.
Myth #6: All Smart Devices are Compatible – Many people think that just by getting the latest internet packages and the latest devices, they can convert their house into a smart home. In reality, you will need to do thorough research before creating the perfect setup for yourself. You will need to consider things such as cross-compatibility, range issues and home requirements before you find the perfect system. And we realize that there are a lot of choices when it comes to the latest smart home devices. We did our due diligence and discovered that Amazon Alexa is the best overall voice assistant to use to build a connected home. The Amazon Echo family of smart devices offers the greatest number of choices, with products fitting everyone’s budget and lifestyle.
Myth #7: Home Automation Is Too Expensive – Another big deciding factor in home automation is its cost. You may be reluctant to build a smart home because you think it will be too expensive. It’s true that home automation products were pricey initially, but things have changed now. When building a smart home, the first thing to remember is that there’s no need to buy everything at once. The key to keeping a smart home simple is to start small and build out piece-by-piece from there. To begin smartening up your home, we recommend starting with the Echo Dot (4th Gen) with clock that includes a built-in smart home hub. That way, you will have the ability to voice control lights, locks and sensors. From there, the best thing you can do is to watch for deals, and add additional devices as they fit your budget. Once you make the initial investment & complete the setup, you can continue to save both time and money for years to come.
Myth #8: Smart Homes Devices Are Not Reliable – Another common myth about smart homes is that they are not reliable. You might be worried that your home automation product or system will go offline or lock up. Or, you may think that you will lose control over your home if smart devices start to malfunction, creating chaos in your home. However, the reality is far from that. Most of the popular devices in a smart home have a failsafe built in to them. This ensures that your home stays operational even while experiencing glitches. Minor problems can be easily handled through a reboot.
Myth #9: Smart Homes Consume A Lot of Energy – This is the biggest smart home myth ever. Smart appliances are specifically designed keeping in mind the power consumption needs of the future. Always, without exception, they consume far less energy than their old-fashioned counterparts. In addition, devices like the popular Nest Learning Thermostat make your home both smart and energy-efficient. The Nest Thermostat is designed to learn your habits and adjust the temperature, thereby reducing energy use. Homes of all shapes and sizes can make use of smart technology and gain lots of benefits, including saving money. In the end, your energy consumption will always depend on how much you are using your smart devices, just like with regular appliances.
Myth #10: Creating a Connected Home Isn’t a Worthwhile Investment – Those of us who believe this myth might think that smart technology is just a cool way to make your home look more impressive. Therefore, they may be resistant to the idea of spending money on home automation. In reality, it all depends on how you view a smart home investment. We believe that the investment in any smart device has an immediate ROI because it makes your life easier, quicker, safer and more accessible. Beyond that, smart home tech increases the desirability and overall value of your home. Even if you don’t plan to sell your house in the near future, you will benefit from continuing to use the smart devices yourself. Upgrading your home with smart technology can pay you back many times over by preventing a burglary, flood or fire. It reduces your energy bills, makes day-to-day life easier and provides valuable peace of mind.
Conclusion – Smart home automation, being a new technology, is subject to many misconceptions. But, whether or not anyone likes it, we are fast moving to an era where smart homes will become commonplace. Turning your house into a smart home is definitely a big change, and it takes some time to get used to it. The key is to start small, build up and keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune. Smart home automation is affordable, time-saving, easy-to-use and cost-effective. Don’t let common misconceptions keep you from enjoying the benefits of having a smart home!
Go here to read “10 Smart Home Myths Exposed – Part #1 of 2.”
*Interested in going smart this year? The best place to start is GotSmartStuff.com!
