Smart home technology seems to be the latest and greatest feature that home buyers want. Estimates are that right now more than 30% of all homes have some type of smart home technology, and that number is expected to reach 53% by 2022.
In a smart home, the resident can use his or her phone or other mobile device to lock and unlock the doors, and that’s just the beginning. They can also control heating and air conditioning units, security systems, sound systems, light fixtures, window blinds, refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers.
Some appliances, such as refrigerators, are now computers in their own right. They can do everything from coordinating your family’s schedule to alerting you when you’re low on milk or eggs. Learn more here.
Manufacturers say that a smart stove can even make you a better cook. Of course, both smart refrigerators and smart stoves run on WiFi to connect you to the Internet.
Who wouldn’t want that? WHY wouldn’t they want it?
For starters, cross-compatibility is still an issue. Just as one size of ink cartridge might not fit all of your printers, one program might not run all of your smart home technology.
More troubling is the fact the technology is far from problem free. Anyone who uses a computer with regularity knows that glitches do occur, and hacking is always a threat.
You’ve no doubt heard of ransom-ware. What if you were locked out of your home until you paid a ransom? Or, what if a hacker simply stole your code and gained easy access to your home the next time you were gone for the day?
Infections spread quickly through computers and networks. If your laptop or desktop computer is hacked, the cyber thief might easily gain control of the technology controlling all of the systems in your home.
Code flaws happen. These are computers, and like all computers, they sometimes have glitches. Your glitch might turn off the heat in the dead of winter or turn off your refrigerator or freezer in the heat of summer. Or – it might lock you out of the house.
Support is not what you might expect. Face it, human tech experts cost money, so manufacturers rely more and more on artificial intelligence to provide support. If you’ve ever tried to explain a technology problem to an automated voice, you know just how frustrating that can be.
Maintenance and record-keeping are crucial. If you don’t love the idea of managing passwords, regularly reviewing system data, and carrying out routine maintenance/ backups for both individual equipment and the whole system, smart home technology might not be a good choice for you.
Remember that you’ll also need to keep a detailed inventory of your smart home features, including date of purchase, brand, model numbers, and maintenance schedules/dates. You’ll use this information when calling for tech support, when making a claim under your warranty, when making an insurance claim, and when selling your home.
Care of your controller is essential. Just think, if you use your smartphone or iPad to control your systems, and something happens to that device, you could be in a mess. If your device is broken or the batteries die – what then? Will you or other family members be able to control your smart devices manually? Will you even be able to get into the house? And if it is lost or stolen, who knows what criminal might have just gained access to your home?
Only you can decide whether the conveniences outweigh the possible inconveniences. If you’re thrilled with the idea, only you can decide which parts of your home you want controlled by smart technology. You have plenty of choices.
Are you thinking of buying a home here in Tamaqua? If so, I’ll be happy to help you find it – whether you’re looking for a smart home, a home that can easily be converted to smart features, or a traditional home with manual control of everything.
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