The Best Benefits of Smart Home Automation

Though the Internet of Things (IoT), or the use of digital products equipped with a network address and specialized sensors, is a surging trend across the globe, a 2020 PETRAS survey revealed that many consumers still feel anxious about the adoption of smart technology in their homes. 

But home automated devices are receiving an unfair rep. Those who argue that machines that can “think” for themselves are unsafe, or more dramatically, are a sign of the pending apocalypse, are generally a little under-informed. These smart devices, though able to sync and communicate with other electronics in the home, remain at the bidding of the owner and pose a variety of benefits to homes including energy savings, money savings, and theft prevention. 

Saving Energy

In an age when carbon footprint reduction is not just a trend but a necessity, improving energy savings is one of the most convincing arguments for smart technology introduction into the home. Implementing connected devices simply makes them play better, and more efficiently, together. 

Smart devices include lighting systems, thermostats, and appliances that allow the owner to pre-program settings and usage based on their individual needs and preferences, and can then be operated remotely via smartphone. The energy savings occur when usage is limited only to what is needed. Additionally, these smart devices proactively alert homeowners when performance issues could occur so they can be managed or prevented before they become wasteful or costly. 

Though the improved efficiency achieved depends on the degree of automation and other factors, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine estimates smart devices create about a 34 percent reduction in electricity and 48 percent in natural gas efficiency in residential homes. 

Saving Money

Financial savings are another perk of home automation that occurs when smart home thermostats, lighting automation, and appliances perform at their peak for appropriate durations. Though some smart technology is programmable, a true smart device will actually learn your patterns and adapt to suit them. This means adjusting heating and cooling levels depending on occupancy and altering lighting depending on when someone is due home. In areas where energy use cost varies depending on the time of day or year, the adaptability of these devices means never having to worry about on-peak and off-peak hours. The technology senses and adapts.

Though specific savings can vary, on average, a home that costs roughly $2,400 per year to power, cool, and heat can reportedly experience a reduced cost of 15 percent with the implementation of smart devices and appliances that support sustainable housing. 

Increasing Security

Home automation doesn’t offer just savings — it can also offer peace of mind. With the IoT, homeowners can sync smart devices with home security cameras, all viewable on their phones, so that they can manage the performance of their appliances and systems while monitoring the interior and exterior of their homes. 

When a homeowner is away, their automated lighting system can vary the sequence of lights that are on and off throughout the day to create the appearance that someone is home. Additionally, specific smart products, such as smart home locks, let homeowners allow entry to or prevent exit from their homes, and can alert authorities in the case of forced entry. 

Opt for Automation

As indicated, smart devices and home automation are a far cry from the creepy “rise of the machines” reputation some might have you believe. Smart home automation saves you money, all while reducing energy use and improving your home security. If you’re ready to take the plunge into the IoT and harness the best home automation benefits, find a provider of home automation services. With a little knowledge of the reality of smart devices in the home, you can feel confident in investing in the right home automation features for your needs.