The Pros and Cons of Having a Smart Home

As technology advances, smart homes, also known as connected houses or home automation systems, are becoming more popular. These homes are outfitted with internet-connected gadgets that let residents control many parts of their home remotely via a smartphone or tablet, such as lighting, temperature, and security. While there are numerous advantages to having a smart home, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider.

Pros of Having Smart Tech Integrated:

1. Improved energy efficiency: 

Smart home systems enable homeowners to remotely control their house's energy usage, allowing them to save money on their energy bills. For example, homeowners can program their thermostats to automatically adjust the temperature when they are away from home or sleeping, which can help them save energy.

2. Smart homes can sometimes save up to 30-40 % of energy

Smart thermostats can save some of the 48% of the energy used for heating and cooling. Electronics, lighting, and other appliances that consume 30% can be reduced with smart outlets, smart switches in conjunction with LED light bulbs, and better-designed appliances (such as the June Oven with its advanced carbon fiber heating elements and large-volume convection fans that speed cooking). 

Nest Labs published a smart thermostat study that concluded that using a smart thermostat may save the typical household 10-12% on heating expenditures and 15 percent of the total on cooling efficiency.

Tejani Al-Kuwari and Potdar presented a study titled Energy Conservation in a smart house, which examined energy conservation across four homes utilizing a Z- Wave system for home automation. They discovered that using smart home technology in four different dwellings reduced energy usage from 14789.813 (kWh) to 12023.935 (kWh) (kWh).

3. And thus, lower energy bills:

Smart thermostats can generate energy-saving programs that can lower heating and cooling energy use by up to 30%.

4. Increased security: 

Smart home security systems can include features such as motion sensors, cameras, and remote-controlled door locks. This can provide homeowners with a piece of mind, knowing that they can check on the security status of their property at any time and make improvements as needed.

Also, read 10 Best Smart Door Locks to Upgrade the Security of Your Home

5. Improved convenience: 

Smart home technologies can make homeowners' daily duties easier. Homeowners, for example, can use voice commands to control their lights, thermostat, and other gadgets, saving them time and effort.

6. Remote monitoring: 

Smart home systems enable homeowners to remotely monitor their houses while they are at work or on vacation. This can provide homeowners with peace of mind by allowing them to check on the status of their house at any time and make improvements as needed.

A smart home can be a game-changer for your living. Therefore, 20 Best Smart Home Devices to Make your Home A Lot More Automated

Cons of Living in a Smart Home:

1. System Cost: 

Smart home systems can be costly to buy and install. To fully automate their houses, homeowners may need to invest in a substantial quantity of equipment and technology, which can be a significant financial strain.

2. Complicatedness: 

Smart home systems can be complicated, and homeowners may need to invest time in learning how to utilize them correctly. This can be aggravating for some people, particularly those who are not extremely tech-savvy.

3. Privacy problems: 

Because smart home systems can gather and store vast amounts of data about homeowners' behavior and habits, privacy concerns may arise. Homeowners could be concerned about who has access to this information and how it is used.

4. Dependency on Technology: 

Because smart home systems rely largely on technology, they might be vulnerable to hackers, power outages, and other technical issues. This can be a source of concern for homeowners, particularly those concerned about the security of their houses.

Hackers evading your Smart Homes

If we begin to accumulate several useful smart devices around our home, we may wonder how secure a smart home is and whether someone might conceivably hack it. You're not at much risk of a smart home takeover, and smart platforms are becoming increasingly secure as a result of critical updates – yet smart gadgets are online, and online devices can have weaknesses. This is especially true for your Wi-Fi network and its settings.

Some of how the system can be hacked are listed below:

1. Weak or readily guessable passwords: 

If the homeowner uses a weak or easily guessable password for their smart home system, it can be easily hacked by an attacker.

2. Unsecured Wi-Fi network: 

If the smart home's Wi-Fi network is not properly secured, an attacker may be able to connect to it and obtain access to the smart home system.

3. Flaws in smart devices: 

Smart gadgets may have vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit to obtain access to the smart home system.

4. Phishing: 

Attackers may employ phishing tactics to mislead homeowners into giving them access to their smart home system.

5. Remote access: 

Attackers may employ malware or other means to gain remote access to a system.

To keep your smart home safe from hackers, use strong and unique passwords, maintain your devices and smart home systems up to date, and exercise caution when clicking on links or submitting sensitive information online.

Some of the ways to protect smart homes from hacking are listed below:

• Password-protect your Wi-Fi network
• Virtually segregate your smart devices
• Create unique logins for all your smart devices
• Enable a two-factor authentication system
• Enable auto-updates

How Hackers can misuse your Home's Data 

In today's digital world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect your behavioral data from being sold to manufacturers without your consent. As technology advances, so do how our data can be accessed and used without our knowledge. Whether it's through apps and websites we use, or even through our smart home devices, our data is being collected, stored, and potentially sold. 

Some of the ways your data can be misused:

• Hijack your usernames and passwords. 
• Steal your money and open credit card and bank accounts in your name. 
• Ruin your credit. 
• Security break in your home. 

Selling of Data to Manufacturers without Consent - 

The current data privacy controversy brings to light how businesses use you as "marketing prey" for manufacturers that are buying consumer behavior data without your permission. With these smart homes, you will be constantly being watched by tangible objects all around you 24/7.

Smart homes provide a wide range of advantages, including better energy management, increased safety, improved comfort, and the ability to observe remotely. Despite the advantages, there are certain limitations, such as cost, complexity, potential privacy problems, and reliance on technology. Homeowners should consider the pros and cons before investing in a smart home system, assessing their individual needs and financial resources, as well as being aware of the capabilities and restrictions of the technology. Here, at Planndesign we regularly blog about the latest technology updates in Architecture, keep reading.

Lastly, take a read to The Benefits of Having a Smart Home in Architecture

and The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Smart Homes