Digitization has picked up speed in the last few decades and there is no end or slowdown in sight. Quite the contrary: forecasts show that not only the job market is still subject to extensive restructuring, but also one’s own household. Quality Of Life devices are becoming more and more affordable, suitable for the masses – and, above all, more normalized.
But what exactly is a smart home? A home is called a smart home if the technology it contains – namely the control and networking of light, energy, security, and household appliances in particular – can be controlled from a central hub. They can be operated using one or more apps, as well as speakers and voice activation. The best-known and best-connected systems currently available are the Google Nest, Amazon’s Alexa, and the Apple Homekit. If you would like to learn more about how different devices interact with each other, you can find helpful tests and comparisons online.
Benefits of a smart home
Okay, but what exactly does the switch from, well, analogue to digital get us? After all, it is associated with some costs and effort to change over. The biggest impact can certainly simply be thrown into the room as buzzwords such as comfort and consumer friendliness. A major goal of digitization is to automate routines and processes and take them off our hands. Result? Less time wasted, fewer resources consumed and a wonderful “out of sight, out of mind” mentality once our setup is in place. Especially in the energy crisis and the rising electricity costs, the value of energy efficiency is also a very big criterion here. Even if the control hub itself is constantly on call, smart socket strips and regulation of the heating system, for example, can also be used remotely via app to control all other equipment, avoid standby times, and only use it when it is needed. And the feeling of building security is also served. More and more devices such as cameras or sensors can be connected to the hub and allow problem-free monitoring of your own property and rooms, no matter where you are.
Disadvantages of a smart home
So, only advantages all around, right? While we think these predominate, there are still a few things to consider when expanding your smart home. For all processes to function smoothly, clear, and stable networking is necessary for all rooms. A strong Wi-Fi signal and a constant connection to the internet are necessary, even if many of the devices also work via Bluetooth – albeit much more slowly. Some of the equipment can be backed up, but it can still be an annoying disruption to everyday life. A well-designed smart home also needs a lot of hardware and sockets. The latter can be supplemented and added with some renovation work (don’t forget to have the necessary knowledge and power tools such as socket testers at hand if you approach it as a DIY!), but the whole thing can be done especially at the beginning in old buildings – or not yet modernized apartments can also quickly become a nuisance.
Speaking of backup – how exactly does it work? Although the operation via voice activation and app is theoretically quite user-friendly and barrier-free (and can therefore be used by all age groups), there is still a threshold of technical ability when the system is to be installed for the first time or expanded over time. And then there is the question of security and cyber-attacks.
A good smart home can provide an incredible amount of freedom and more time in everyday life, reduced costs (even the high acquisition costs can pay off over time), and a higher quality of life – but at the same time requires a certain amount of knowledge and technical talent. However, the search engine of choice can help with many tutorials and videos and provide relaxed answers to any uncertainties, for example regarding the cost-benefit factor or general usefulness.