Home automation is becoming a key component of new and existing homes. It’s worth it for the convenience and comfort alone. But smart houses also have many other benefits, such as slashing your energy bills and keeping your home secure. They can even increase your home’s marketability and value.
It is no surprise that smart technology is becoming a standard feature in new homes in Europe and the United States. A study by the (NAHB) National Association of Home Builders found that 22 percent of new homes have smart technology. However, it is not just new houses that are being automated. There are many benefits to automating your home and plenty of ways to do so at any price point. Here’s what you need to know about home automation costs.
Control &Convenience
You can add great convenience to your home by installing smart lighting, plugs, and thermostats. You don’t have to get up from the couch to flip a light switch. It’s just that you can’t.
All of us accept some level of convenience in our daily lives. Most people don’t require electricity or light switches. However, people often argue that electrical lighting is lazy and should be used instead. Smart lights and other smart devices are simply a natural extension of that progress.
You’ll be able to control the brightness or dimming of the lights without interrupting the movie if you begin watching a movie. You’ll also appreciate the ease of video doors the first time you answer your office doorbell.
You’ll be able to see the relief in their eyes if you tell them, “Alexa, turn the TV on.” It’s much simpler than telling them to hit power, then turn on the remote and then the remote again, or giving them a universal remote that has dozens of buttons.
Although convenience may not be necessary, it doesn’t mean that convenience is bad. Smart homes offer creature comforts that you may not have otherwise. And, because they are routine-based, you can have peace of mind knowing that you haven’t forgotten to turn off the lights.
Entertainment
Smart home systems make entertaining a breeze. ITA worked with Hampton’s owners of a stunning Edwardian house to bring streaming media and technology into their Hampton home.
You can easily access hidden motorized TVs or complete home theatre systems by pushing a button on your phone or touchscreen. You can control your media experience from your mobile device. Dim lights can be dimmed, motorized curtains closed, and the ideal movie-watching temperature can be set.
The best part is that you can control it remotely. All settings will be saved for your convenience, so you don’t have to worry about resetting a single thing!
It’s a great way to experience media from any room in the house. The average cost of home automation equipment varies by technology, but smart lighting averages around $100.
Energy Savings
Victoria’s energy bills are rising. Homeowners want more control over when and how their power is used. They also want to know when they exceed predetermined limits.
This efficient house shows how ITA can help you implement efficiency improvements such as LED lighting and water collection.
Smart climate control systems allow you to control the climate of your home. Each room can be individually zoned. Blinds can either be remotely programmed or programmed automatically.
This is a great feature for those who like to use preset schedules. You will save money and energy because the settings remain even if you forget to change them. For example, you can program your office at home to shut the blinds and turn off the lights when you don’t want to work anymore.
You can also adjust your thermostat on the fly. For example, if you’ve decided to stay late at work, rather than turning on all of your lights or raising the temperature in your home by several degrees, you can adjust your thermostat on your way out the door.
It’s also useful for those who don’t have time to think about their smart lighting or heating systems. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to save energy without thinking about it too much.
Lighting
Smart lighting systems allow you to control all the lighting elements in your home, from any place, inside or out, or away. Intelligent lighting can be managed according to the season, movement, and time of day. This includes landscape lighting that illuminates gardens and entertainment areas. You can customize lighting settings to suit different entertainment settings or trigger when the security system armor disarms. You can even add a light switch to make it more convenient for those times when the phone is out of reach.
Security
You can now also remotely monitor and control your home security systems using a smartphone or tablet. With the most recent security technology, you can rest assured that your loved ones and possessions are safe. Intelligent security management allows you to take proactive steps rather than react to security problems that have already occurred. A garage door can be closed automatically at night if it is left open. All perimeter doors can also be locked centrally from a touchscreen or mobile device.
Other security-related tasks that can be scheduled include an automatic activation of your smart lighting system when the alarm is armed at night. This increases illumination and makes it more difficult for intruders to remain concealed in the shadows.
Access Control
Smartphone apps, keychain remotes, and fingerprint readers allow you to control access to your home via smartphone apps. These innovative technologies allow you to secure your home without looking like a fortress.
With intelligent motion detection software, cameras can operate in any light condition and send images directly from your smartphone or another mobile device. Video intercoms will automatically redirect intercom calls towards your phone. You can unlock or open the front gates and doors even if you aren’t home.
A top-of-the-line security system can be monitored by an expert 24 hours a day. Your security team will immediately contact the necessary services if your threshold is triggered. They can follow the preprogrammed instructions so that you are not alerted to their activity unless necessary.
Boosting Your Home’s Value
Smart homes are becoming more mainstream, and buyers and tenants have different expectations about apartments and houses. Smart homes are more valuable because they have that “wow factor” that real-estate experts confirm makes your house more attractive, potentially driving up the price and making it more difficult to sell.
Smart functionality is also more in-demand by owners living in properties they intend to sell. These systems allow you to make your house smarter and, thus, more valuable. If buyers aren’t interested in the functionality of a smart home, they will still pay more for it because it’s a new technology that is expected to last longer.
With the rise of constantly connected homes, there has been an increase in buyers looking for spaces that are easy to manage. And not only does their home need to be energy efficient, but it also needs to create a feeling of calm.
If You Are Luddite
Home automation may not be for you if you don’t like technology or the effort required to set it up correctly. It takes time to decide which products to purchase, how they should be set up, how to get them to work with other products, and what automation you need to create. Then, it’s time to tweak that automation until they are just right.
Many companies specialize in installing smart homes for you, but all of them come with a price.
This might be an option if the budget is not a concern.
Be aware of the potential additional costs if something goes wrong.
Home automation is a great option for those of you who are budget conscious and still enthusiastic about it. They’re cheaper than the conventional system, and they’ll save you money in the long run.
The Downsides
- Instability is a major problem when it comes to smart home technology. You can’t do much about the possibility that your smart house might not work.
- Many smart home products can be difficult to install, even if the company is successful. It is possible to have trouble with the most frustrating aspects of owning a smart home.
- Despite all their downsides, smart homes can still provide convenience, solve common problems, and save you money. It’s well worth the investment if that sounds appealing to you.
When you decide to go all-in with smart home technology, it’s a decision that should last a while. That means you want to be fully confident in your choice and understand the potential pitfalls. Anytime you adapt to something new, there will be an adjustment period where it takes time to get used to everything. However, once you get the hang of it, you will never want to go back.
Home Automation in Conroe, Texas
Home automation has come a long way in the past few years. With so many new products on the market, it can be hard to decide which ones are worth the investment. At New Generation Home Pro Inc., we’ve been helping homeowners upgrade their homes with smart technology for years. We know what works and what does not, and we’re here to help you make the most informed decision about your home automation needs. Contact us today at (936) 205-2735 for a free consultation!
