
In this past decade, there has definitely been a drastic change in the lifestyle of the average American. It’s easier to talk to friends and family that live across the globe, it’s become easier to control your home while being away yourself, it’s become easy to live more smart.
This is where Smart Homes come in. Smart Homes are here to automate your home in ways that serve your convenience and benefit. They make your homes safer, and accessible from miles away just from your smartphone. Are they really as useful as they seem to be? Here’s a breakdown of all things you should know about Smart Homes.
How Is a Smart Home Useful?
As opposed to a regular home, smart homes take things up a notch in several ways. What you should know is that a smart home is comprised of a collection of smart devices installed around the premises. It could be anything from 2 to 20 or more smart devices.
Here are some reasons that could entail that a smart home is definitely worth the investment.
1. Makes the Simplest of Tasks More Convenient
How do smart devices really work? Considering a smart home consists of multiple smart devices installed in a household, these devices connect to our smartphones, and laptops while some are compatible voice assistants, through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. They normally come with their own mobile applications that can be downloaded and used to configure and control the said devices.
Here’s a great feature however; smart devices, some of them, can be interconnected and synced to one another, like the Samsung Smart Refrigerator to a Smart Camera, or the August Smart Keypad pairing with the August Smart Lock or Sengled Smart bulbs to the Nest Mini Smart Speaker. And this is usually done through a central hub – one that connects all smart devices.
This is what makes it convenient for users – smart devices having the ability to be voice-enabled, controlled via our smartphones or even collectively through a central hub, regardless of whether you’re in the same room as the device or miles away.
2. Energy-Efficient and Cost-Effective
A purpose that certain smart devices are known for, is the ability to be energy efficient. Smart Thermostats for instance, or Smart lights and smart plugs can cut back on the usage of electricity unnecessarily. They leave no room for carelessness is what is, thanks to their remote and wireless access, along with features like scheduling and built-in motion sensors.
Cutting back on energy consumption automatically means a reduction in utility bills. That is what we mean when we say smart homes are cost-effective. It is because of the fact that smart devices can, and at the same time possess the technology to use energy in a more efficient manner that cuts back on the heating, cooling and electric bills, as well as water bills if you happen to have smart sprinklers!
3. Increase Your Property Value
Sprucing up your homes in any way can automatically increase the value of your property. Whether it means renovating the kitchen or the backyard, similarly installing smart devices around your home, which categorizes it as a smart home can also drive up the price of your property should you ever decide to put your home on the market.
However: Factors to Consider
When it comes down to shifting towards making your home a Smart Home, there are a few factors one should consider – because it’s not all that easy.
1. Seamless Internet Connectivity
The basis of the functioning of all smart devices is an internet connection, Wi-Fi connectivity to be precise. Although certain smart devices connect to our smartphones, tablets and hubs through Bluetooth as well, but it is mostly through Wi-Fi connectivity. And in order to have your smart devices work seamlessly, there must be full coverage internet and a plan that has enough data and bandwidth to support multiple devices connected simultaneously.
2. Price of Smart Devices
The price of smart devices depends on the category, while its affordability depends on an individual’s income bracket. Smart devices can go from anything between $19.99 for the Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED bulbs, to around $3000 for a Samsung SmartThings Refrigerator. But the total expense of smart devices really comes down to what devices you’re planning to install in your home.
3. Electrical Issues
Although smart devices are great at cutting back on the electrical bills every month, because of their energy efficiency, there are other issues that you should worry about – like electrical surges for instance. Electrical surges are one of the silent culprits behind the damage to any electronic device. These can occur at any hour of the day, and at random, and most of the time go undetected.
Just like all things, smart homes too have two sides to the story. They’re great for a lot of reasons but there obviously are factors one needs to consider when it comes down to shifting towards a smart home and a smart lifestyle. Anyway, if you’re looking into purchasing any smart devices or just want a look at what’s out there, head on over to www.firstenergyhome.com and browse through their smart home catalog.