Understanding the Pros and Cons of Home Automation

It’s now possible to automate nearly every process in your home with your voice or the touch of a button. Whether you want to change the temperature in your home, turn on a light or the TV, feed your pet or activate the vacuum, the home automation options available to you are nearly limitless. You can also automate flood sensors, home audio systems, sprinkler systems, security and lots more.

Smart technology is revolutionizing our homes. Before you consider installing home automation, consider these pros and cons.

PROS

It’s convenient.

Do you want to adjust the lights? Change the TV volume? Tweak the thermostat? There’s a home automation device to help you do these tasks and others. Even when you’re away from home, you’ll have control over these functions.

It’s efficient.

With home automation systems installed in your home, you can greatly reduce your energy consumption. For example, energy management devices like smart power strips, light controls and smart plugs lower your energy usage. You can also invest in water sensors and automated thermostats to further reduce your impact on the environment.

It promotes safety.

Smart home automation extends to home security, too. For a fairly low cost, you can invest in a simple security monitoring system, like a doorbell camera. It’s also possible to increase security by installing window sensors, investing in internal and external video monitoring, or hiring a security company to do remote monitoring of your home’s security.

CONS

Consider compatibility.

Your home automation devices need to play well together. Some automation tools may not sync with others. So before you purchase, do your research and invest in a system that will deliver on all of your needs.

Beware of outages.

All of these devices depend on internet and Wi-Fi strength. If you lose connectivity during a storm, a brownout, or some other event, you won’t be able to depend on these tools. Consider investing in a backup power system to maintain these connections.

There are vulnerabilities.

While being interconnected offers many upsides, your home automation system is still susceptible to security breaches. A clever hacker could take over your devices. That’s why it’s important to maintain the highest security. Use strong passwords for your Wi-Fi network and change them frequently.

If you need help with the installation and electrical capacity of a home automation system or devices, contact BCU Electric’s residential services. We’re happy to advise you on all your electrical needs.