“Do I really need a smart home?” is a question I am asked quite often, quickly followed by “are they more efficient?, how simple can you make them, can they do x, y and z, oh, and how much does it cost?”. Renovating, no doubt about it, is expensive and cost savings are made by the majority of people.
With your renovation some items will be simply cut from the budget by purchasing a cheaper version (downgrade), an alternative (substitute), forego or a reduced quantity.
A Smart Home can be added to in functionality if you choose to – the big-bang approach may not be your best option.
The starting point has to be really clear with what you want to get from your smart home ‘investment’ – and this is where it gets intangible. Apply the term investment with a lens applied in terms of safety, security, simplification, efficiency and ease of operation.
If you are wanting to install a complete or parts there of to compete with your friends, neighbours or boss, then I suggest you have missed the point of ‘why’?
You may look at the options of a smart home like buying an oven – there is a baseline of functions and features. Some features you will use regularly. They make for a simpler life (self clean, auto turn on/off), and safer (child lock), and more efficient (don’t we ALL want more energy efficiency stars on every household appliance!).
Making life simpler does not mean you need to have everything automated.
There are many other renovation areas you focus on that do not make your life simpler but you use regularly – compare how much you plan to spend on specific aesthetics verse home smarts. Lighting, for example, can improve your quality of life if you have the right light type, good colour render and in the right physical location – all without automation.
Automate some of your lights and, all of a sudden, some of life’s basics just got better because it has to be simpler to use and tailored to your need, e.g. reading, watching TV, etc.
There is no smart home blueprint!. Every family, renovation and house is different and home smarts tailoring is required.
I think some level of automation would make the majority of abodes a better place to live in. Rubbish I hear you say!. Think about how many times you have thought of, or said, if only that wasn’t so dark/light/closed/open we would use that space. If you use a space more often, or your home is safer or, very importantly, is more cost effective to operate, I dare say you would be happy with your home automation and control.
Think Wisely. Stay Safe. Be Smart!