4 Smart Home Myths De-Mystified

It was once a common belief that smart-home technology and connected homes were only for the rich and famous, and the tech-savvy. Today, smart-home solutions are being increasingly adopted by consumers across every generation and residence type.

From studio apartments to large family homes and elder-care communities, smart-home technology is changing the way we live. Companies like Resideo and our partners are making it easier for homeowners to have the smart home of their dreams.

While smart-home device usage is on the rise, many misconceptions still exist about what a smart home really is and the benefits it can provide to everyday families. Let’s take a minute to debunk some common smart-home myths.

Myth No. 1: “The smart home is just a fad.”

From door locks, to smoke alarms, to microwaves, to central air conditioning, consumers have always valued new technologies that keep their families comfortable, safe and make their lives more convenient. Today, smart-home solutions offer new ways to provide the same comforts of security and convenience that consumers desire.

It’s not just about a flashy device. These solutions add real value to peoples’ lives. That’s why the smart-home market is expected to become a $94 billion industry by 2023¹. Plus, smart-home devices are designed with the future in mind. Automatic updates can be pushed to smart-home device software to keep them up-to-date.

For many, a smart thermostat is an entry point into the smart home – and recent Parks Associates research shows that it’s a gateway product for other smart devices, such as a voice assistant². If a homeowner adds a lighting routine into the mix, these smart solutions add real value to busy working parents and empty-nesters alike.

Myth No. 2: “I’m not tech-savvy enough to use smart-home devices. They’re only for millennials.”

New technology that controls your home with a single touch can seem daunting, but it’s a common myth that you must be a techie to benefit from these devices.

Smart-home solutions are not just piquing the interest of early adopters or tech-minded millennials. The 2017 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trend report states that 43% of Americans with smart-home products are millennials, 33% are ages 33 to 54 and 24% are age 55 or older.³

From the new mom who is concerned about the quality of air in her home for her newborn, to the retired couple who spend time traveling away from home but want to monitor it remotely, there is a smart-home product for every generation.

“Demand for cameras has risen as people want to remotely watch their pets, an elderly family member, or children coming home from school,” said Dave Foster from Holmes Security Systems in North Carolina. “And they like being able to see that right on their computer, cell phone or tablet.”

Foster said that “porch pirates” and package deliveries are the two biggest reasons homeowners seek added surveillance outside.

With Resideo’s “Do It For Me” (DIFM) approach, our network of more than 110,000 professional installers will install it for you, ensuring it’s done right and that you feel comfortable in knowing exactly how it operates.

Myth No. 3: “A smart home is expensive. I just can’t afford it.”

Benefiting from smart-home technology doesn’t mean you have to turn your house into something out of a science fiction movie. Smart-home solutions are simple, programmable devices that are offered at a wide range of price points.

Consumers don’t have to spend a fortune on a whole-house makeover; they can choose the products they want. They can start with a simple smart thermostat, like the T9 Thermostat, and then build on that with additional solutions as their needs expand, such as installing water-monitoring devices or whole-home automation solutions, like the Lyric Security and Home Control System.

While it is an investment, many smart-home solutions help consumers optimize energy consumption, which results in utility savings. Plus, most insurance companies offer plan discounts⁴ for having home-monitoring systems installed.

Myth No. 4: “I can’t use smart-home technology because there’s no way for me to reduce the risk to my privacy.”

It’s only natural to be cautious and concerned, but if you take proper precautions it is not necessarily true that using smart-home devices means you must also sacrifice your privacy. It is always a good idea to be careful, and that’s why Resideo emphasizes the importance of using cyber security best practices to all our users.

Home- and building-control devices, particularly those that are internet-facing, must be properly secured. A secure, password-protected internet connection is vital, and our professional installers will assist you with the proper initial setup, but security is an ongoing responsibility for everyone. Keeping your products and systems up to date with the most current software versions is one way to ensure you always have the newest security protocols installed.

Resideo products have features to automatically update themselves to the latest protections, keeping them properly maintained and monitored, and giving you peace-of-mind.

Ready to take the next step? Contact a Resideo Pro

Because smart-home automation is a relatively new technology, it is subject to many misconceptions. The benefits and power of the products far outweigh the myths surrounding them. See for yourself by contacting one of our local pros today.

Footnotes:

¹ 2023 Smart-home market forecast sources: IHS, Navigant, BSRIA
² https://www.telecompetitor.com/parks-smart-thermostats-are-the-gateway-to-buying-more-smart-home-devices/
³ https://www.securitysales.com/automation/smart-home/consumer-expectations-smart-home-technology/
⁴ https://www.safehome.org/blog/home-security-home-insurance-discount/