In the world of home improvement, technology is the future. As time passes, more homes are becoming automated, whether that’s to turn on lights, start our coffee machine or draw the curtains. In its most basic form, home automation is the automatic control of electronic devices in your property. By connecting to the internet, the devices are able to be controlled remotely- and this can either be done via an app or voice assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
The invention of home automation devices are designed to make your home life operate with ease, and smart home devices are appearing more frequently in everyday homes. Although some products are quite costly, the benefits of these devices match the price. If you’re considering upgrading to your home to a smart home through automated devices, here at We Buy Any House have listed the pros and cons of home automation devices.
Pros:
#1- Remote Access:
No matter where you are in the world, home automation devices allow you to access the functions of your property. This means that if you are abroad for example, you can control the light settings in your home to make it seem as though someone is home, or, you can unlock the door for a plant sitter.
#2- Energy Efficient:
Home automation devices enable you to be kinder to the environment, and your outgoing bills. This is great for people who perhaps forget to turn the heating off before they leave the house. With home automation, you can set things like your heating system to a schedule to make sure you’re not wasting energy.
#3- Comfort:
Perhaps the biggest selling point of home automation devices is that they provide comfort and ease. How many times have you got comfy in bed, only to realise you’ve left the bathroom light on or the curtains open? With the function of smart bulbs and smart curtains, you can turn them off from the comfort of your bed simply using an app.
#4- Safety:
Home automation isn’t just about the little luxuries- security measures are a huge bonus too. There is a wide variety if smart home automation devices that are specially designed for home safety, such as camera systems, automated locks, sensors for windows and doors and even video doorbells. All these devices aid in ensuring your home is protected from danger and unwanted visitors.
#5- Increased Value:
Adding automated devices to your property can add value to the price of your home. As the world becomes more technologically savvy and sophisticated, homeowners are looking to incorporate this into potential properties. A property with automated devices demonstrates not only the futuristic element of your home, but also its ability to function as an eco-conscious home.
Cons:
#1- Cost:
Although they automated home devices are more eco-friendly, they are also extremely expensive to buy and install. IoT (Internet of Things) devices cost far more than their counterparts. For example, a regular light bulb costs around £3.50, whereas a smart bulb cost around £22.50. In addition to this, you must consider additional features such as remote control, maintenance and repair issues and installation fees.
#2- New Technology:
Since smart home technology is relatively new, this means you may run into some problems. Firstly, there is the risk of technological bugs destroying vital devices like smart home security systems, or trouble connecting to the internet or experiencing lag. Additionally, there will always be a newer model that will be desired, so you may have to upgrade your automated devices- therefore reiterating point one regarding cost.
#3- Security Issues:
Although a smart home security system may seem like a savvy way to protect your property, it can leave room for mistakes. Smart home are quite convenient, but in the world of technology the notion of hacking devices is rife. Hackers may be able to hack your devices and intrude onto your property or steal your data. This is an issue homeowners should be aware of before investing in automated home devices.
#4- Accidents:
At the best of times, technology is unreliable. If your smart home devices begin to act incompetently, then you may end up locking yourself out of your own property. You may end up feeling helpless if your technology fails, especially if you rely on this technology to work to your behavior. Additionally, the interconnectedness of household devices may cause a surge. If your home is not protected properly, your chances of a fire started by the devices increases.
#5- Preference:
Some people are just old school, and don’t enjoy the benefits technology has to offer us. This may be a problem if you’re looking to sell a property that is full of home automated devices- especially non-removable ones such as a whole smart home security system. It may deter potential buyers from your home, therefore prolonging the moving process.
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