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Gone are the days when most people see smart homes as luxurious or fanciful. Instead, more homeowners are opting for the smart option, which will most likely sustain the trend into the long foreseeable future. Why? We now have tons of devices specially built to automate household processes. In addition, experts are constantly exploring the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide even more convenience and security for homeowners.

However, these are just one side of the coin. So let’s talk about the other side. As much as smart home technology is winning more homeowners’ hearts by the day, it also comes with a few important downsides. Never thought of that? You should!

So, if you plan to incorporate any of these devices into your home, take your time to read this blog. Among other things, we will show you the upsides and downsides of making your home “smart.”

Why should you make your home “smart”?

Let’s start with the good side.

  1. It brings convenience.

The feeling of sitting at a spot in your home and controlling everything around with a voice command or a single button is highly satisfying. Recall those days you forgot to turn off the radio, oven, iron, washing machine, TV, or lights when leaving home? Or the moments you doubt you turned them off or not? They can be quite stressful.

Smart home technologies will eliminate this stress. You can easily control these items remotely from a personal device, whether you are home or not. And, that is cool and convenient.

  1. More efficiency.

Our population is growing, but the energy resources are not. So, it only logical that we will maximize what we have. This is why we have smart solutions that optimize energy. For instance, smart thermostats can regulate your home temperature automatically, using your recurring patterns to create the most comfortable temperature conditions at the right time.

Smart light bulbs make up another interesting group of smart solutions. These bulbs can turn on and off based on movement in the room. There are also smart faucets that ensure zero water misuse and smart TVs that automatically turn off when you unknowingly doze off.

  1. You save more money.

If you have smart home appliances that use less energy, you will spend less on utility bills. It is that simple. Likewise, some smart home solutions can work with no human input, removing the need for a human controller or operator. For example, you can buy automated sprinkler controllers, pool cleaners, vacuum cleaners, and even lawnmowers. That’s another avenue to save money.

Yes, they may be expensive, but it is always a smart financial decision in the long run. So buy, pay once, and enjoy them for as long as you want without paying an extra dime.

  1. It is secure.

The security aspect of smart home technologies is not talked about enough. For instance, you can easily monitor your house when you are not around by installing smart surveillance devices. Your home becomes more secure with smart cameras, motion controls, and smart locks that can detect intruders. How about the convenience that comes with spotting a visitor at the entrance door and answering them while away using remote controls? That’s some top security!

  1. You enjoy proper personalization.

Another impressive quality of smart home devices is their flexibility. Considering that different people have different preferences, smart home technologies allow you to tweak them to suit your routines, habits, and needs. You can customize them to track your motion patterns, sleep, and health. They can easily track your schedule, adapt to it, and even adjust when there is a change.

Why should you not make your home “smart”?

This article is brought to you by Howarth Litchfield architects in the North East UK.

Now, let’s discuss the ugly sides.

  1. They are prone to hacks.

One major loophole of the internet is the possibility of a hack. Malicious activities by dark elements online can compromise your home’s safety. For instance, your in-and-out schedule is not 100% private. They can tamper with your security system and rob your house. The conversation of which is better between the traditional security systems and the smart security technologies will continue for a while, at least until the smart solutions are no more prone to hacking.

  1. Be ready to splash the cash.

Most smart home technologies out there don’t come cheap, and this is why they are not that common. Only affluent people can afford to make their homes fully smart.

  1. It can be difficult to navigate.

It is new stuff, so it is understandable why people struggle to get the hang of most of the smart home techs out there. You must be tech-savvy to navigate and maximize the potentials of these things.

  1. There is no inter-device communication.

There are many brands of smart home appliances out there. Yes, having so many options is great. But it becomes a problem when you realize that these devices do not communicate with each other. So even if you want to go 100% remote, you must be ready to install several apps, one for each device.

  1. Manufacturers often misuse them.

We have seen instances where the manufacturers of smart home technologies are obtaining information about users without their knowledge or permission. Such information is usually about their preferences or habits, which are usually used for marketing purposes. This helps them target clients more efficiently, considering that the advertised products will work according to individual preferences.

In Conclusion

Making your home “smart” (or not) remains your personal decision. However, if you are not bothered about the cost, security risks, and demands of these techs, they can easily transform your experience as a homeowner. From all indications, the smart home technology for homes is here to stay. So, the question is, will you be joining the train?

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