Home automation is so accessible and intuitive that more and more people are adopting smart home technologies. Smart devices enable homeowners to control their household appliances and devices from wherever they are in the world. Here are some of the reasons this tech trend is enjoying such widespread adoption.
1. Reduced Utility Bills
One of the biggest contributors to the growing use of home automation is the promise of reduced utility bills. When homeowners can automate their homes’ temperature or lighting needs, they can reduce energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable environment. Automation using a smart thermometer can see savings of 10 to 12 percent for heating, and 15 percent for cooling which translates to savings of $131–$145 annually.
A recent study by Statista found that more than 45 million smart home devices found their way into American homes in 2018. Last year alone, the average home invested $490 on home automation—a trend that is expected to increase by 22 percent every year.
2. Home Automation Is Easy
The plug-and-play nature of home automation makes it easy to add devices with both Google Assist and Amazon Alexa. Amazon’s Alexa is focused on growing its reach, now supporting 28,000 compatible smart home devices, with 4,500 new devices made compatible in 2018 alone. This is a 600 percent increase over its 2017 compatibility.
This increased device compatibility, and the ease with which these home automation devices and controllers are installed, will ensure you see them popping up wherever you go. For example, Marriott Hotels is partnering with Amazon in 2019 to install Echo devices in its rooms to give guests greater access to amenities. Google Home has partnered with Walmart so shoppers can order items online and have them delivered. Apple’s HomeKit is teaming up with the Brilliant Smart Home Controller which is able to control, thermostat and other home appliances.
3. Saves the Environment
IA recent study by Cone Communications showed that 68 percent of millennials bought products that would benefit the environment in the past year. Eighty-eight percent of consumers showed more loyalty to companies that supported environmental causes, while 87 percent said they were more likely to buy a product that had environmental benefits.
Homeowners can optimize appliances to reduce energy consumption and turn off lights, TVs and other appliances when not in use which reduces their home’s carbon footprint.
Appliances in stand-by mode account for up to $20 to $30 of your monthly utility bill and add to the carbon footprint of your home. Home automation can turn off power to appliances when they are not in use, helping to reduce energy consumption and monthly costs.
4. Increased Safety
One of the biggest advantages home automation has to offer is access control. You can grant or restrict access to anyone through smart devices. No matter where you are in the world, you can ensure tenants, family members or repair personnel can gain access to your properties. Real estate agents can show tenants around, maintenance crews can perform their scheduled repairs or inspections, and housekeeping can keep your premises clean, even when you aren’t there.
Access control systems can keep an electronic log of everyone who comes and goes while monitoring which areas of the property were accessed. This means that no one is locked out, property owners and residents enjoy increased security and peace of mind, and you avoid traditional costs like keys, onsite servers and security software and other hardware.
Home automation increases security, reduces monthly utility bills and decreases your environmental impact. The relative ease with which new devices are installed and their compatibility with each other make this a tech trend that is here to stay.
