Featured News

Advantages and Disadvantages of Smart Home Devices

Smart home devices include technology that can automate and control security, air-conditioning and heating and ventilation and which can extend to household appliances such as washers and dryers and refrigerators. This technology is becoming more popular.

Home automation at the touch of a button. Image courtesy of martawalsh.com

These devices can be remotely controlled and monitored, usually through the Internet using a central hub. However, an article in digital journal.com highlights the fact that there are very few worldwide accepted industry standards that are applicable for smart home systems. This is causing problems for homeowners wishing to automate their homes. Without industry standardization, it’s possible for someone to invest in an entire system that will fail to communicate adequately with all the devices. Then there is the problem of hacking. Often a consumer must purchase an entire smart system from just one vendor although the article points out that there is some open source software that can be used with proprietary hardware.

The advantages of integrating smart home devices into everyday life are easy to see. Users can program their security, lighting, and heating to exactly meet their daily needs with many features being controllable remotely. Then there’s the opportunity to customize smart home systems, adding and removing products as needed. While some people may decide a smart thermostat is the most important feature for them, others may choose an automated home security system and many systems are relatively inexpensive and can be easily installed. When properly used, smart home devices can save money and enable homeowners to track expenditure and energy usage. However, most depend on an Internet connection and may fail to work properly without it. Another potential problem is the use of wireless signals which while economical, leave these products open to the possibility of different signals interfering with each other.

The average cost spent on home automation was recently estimated to be $1331 but products are available for as little as $75. Obviously, it is possible to spend much more depending on budget and requirements. The article suggests that smart thermostats are a good device, to begin with since the energy savings can provide a return on this investment. Other recommended devices to start off with include smart locks and alarms.

Allison Halliday

Allison Halliday is a Realty Biz News contributing writer. She handles International Real Estate and is a seasoned blogger.

Share
Published by
Allison Halliday

Recent Posts

Mortgages with Low Credit Scores - Your Guide to Affordable Home Financing

'Mortgages with Low Credit Scores Mortgages with low credit scores can appear challenging, but there…

14 hours ago

Best Cars for Realtors in 2023

In the fast-paced world of real estate, a reliable and efficient vehicle is often an…

2 days ago

How is immigration affecting the real estate and housing market

Immigration can have several effects on the real estate and housing market in any given…

2 days ago

TKI’S QUARTERLY nSKOPE PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS REPORT:  300,000-PLUS CORRECT 2023 PREDICTIONS SHOW FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN ARE DRIVING LISTING INVENTORY

The nSkope Predictive Analytics Report unveiled today showed that families with children under 24 years…

3 days ago

ERA REAL ESTATE EXPANDS PRESENCE IN INDIANAPOLIS METRO Top-Performing Independent Brokerage in Putnam County Becomes ERA® Powered

ERA Real Estate®, a global franchising leader within the Anywhere portfolio of brands, announced today…

3 days ago

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Equity Loan: 6 Optimal Strategies

In this ever-changing financial landscape, homeowners now have the keys to unlock a new wealth-building…

3 days ago