The exponential increase of technological advancement during the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought futuristic dreams to reality inside the home. Smart devices abound within more and more dwellings, and the change is altering the way people live and the promise of tomorrow.
Greater Convenience
No piece of knowledge or culture seems to be outside the reach of the ordinary individual on the "information superhighway." A person does not have to sit at a computer or even pick up a smartphone to learn about upcoming weather or current events. By simply calling out the name of one's smart home device, information is even faster than fingertips.
Home devices can be turned on or adjusted vocally for a perfectly tailored environment and entertainment in each area of the house. Shopping lists and calendar agendas can be changed with a sentence or two spoken out from anywhere. Some traditionalists lament the abundance of convenience, but this level of accessibility is here to stay and provides impressive benefits for differently-abled individuals.
Dependence on smart home devices can become a liability when power outages occur. However, this supposed weakness in the system is supplanted with workarounds, such as an uninterruptible battery back up, to allow online systems to continue running without a pause.
Increased Security
Home monitoring is available from anywhere in the world in real time. A film camera would cost a hefty portion of one's salary decades ago. Now, high-definition digital cameras sit in nearly everyone's pocket, and webcams can be placed in any inconspicuous area around a property. Remote access permits families to trigger lights on timers and turn music and television on and off as if someone were in the house while everyone is away.
Doorbell cameras track visitors and unwanted guests by recording as soon as someone approaches. Homeowners can answer their door from the office or while on vacation. A physical key is no longer necessary as smart locks permit a householder to let in guests while away or accept a delivery into the garage with one-time access.
If an intruder enters the property, all activity is recorded and can be forwarded to home security services instantly. While the ethical considerations of device tracking remain a hot debate, criminals have a harder time finding an alibi when devices in their pockets and vehicles ping nearby towers for signals and provide reasonably accurate location data.
Higher Home Values
Bathrooms, phone lines, and electricity were once frills for the standard home. Just as these advancements have become commonplace, home automation will soon be considered a necessity, and tech-deficient properties will take a hit to their value.
Homeowners who adopt smart home tech invest in the dwelling's future resale price. Appraisers already note that smart homes fetch higher prices and may be easier to sell. Because of careful monitoring, buyers will be confident that the house is in better condition. New owners will be happy to have access to everyday conveniences.
More Efficient Dwellings
Being able to control temperature, lighting, and appliances from any location adds to home efficiency and a greener world. A water leak, motion, extreme temperature, and humidity lead to costly problems when not detected early. The homeowner is alerted to any oddity on an app the moment it appears.
Families no longer have to set one temperature for the entire house abode. Instead, each member can customize the climate of their individual room. Homeowners can schedule HVAC systems to regulate while they are away. Plus, monitoring software can alert users on how to increase efficiency and save on costs.
Innovative technology is quickly becoming the norm for modern homes. Adoption of these valuable tools provides increasing benefits for users.