Are Smart Homes Really as Troublesome as We Think?

We Singaporeans have a knack for being analytical about our everyday lives. Calculating how long our journey to work will take. Planning out our weeks’ activities days in advance. Budgeting ourselves to see when we can indulge in bubble tea again. We can’t deny that a lot of what we do takes considerable amounts of planning and consideration. Regardless of what those decisions are, weighing the pros and cons is part and parcel of our decision-making process. When it comes to bigger commitments, that process can take even longer with more in-depth research. Naturally, this has led to a lot of us having reservations regarding upgrading to a smart home. From costs to retrofitting, to any other various concerns, we have our reasons to be apprehensive. But are our concerns warranted? Read on to form your own educated conclusions.

One of the main deterring factors we have about smart homes is the perception that we need to do extensive construction work to set it up. There is some truth to this statement, but there are a large number of appliances that do not come with this hindrance. Do note that while this may not be true for all brands, a lot more appliances are becoming wirelessly connected with their own battery packs. LifeSmart, for example, has some motion sensors, door sensors, certain security cameras, and even wireless switches that come with minimal installation work. With advancements in technology, wireless and remotely-controlled appliances are becoming more prevalent. Installations for these appliances are sometimes as simple as a wall mount sticker and it’s plug-and-play from there.

That being said, there are some “heavier-duty” appliances that do need a handyman’s touch. Such appliances include control stations and door locks. Some brands may also require some rewiring to be done, such as switches and more comprehensive control panels. This can include anything from simple cable management to encroaching into electrician’s territory. However, such renovations will most likely also be offered by the company upon purchasing the item. Best to leave the work to the professionals after all. Admittedly, this installation will usually come at a cost, but compromising on fitting important fixtures might lead to bigger consequences in the long run.

In general, while it does depend on what appliances you purchase, most installations only take up to an hour at best. The best part is, the more complex installations will, more often than not, be done for you. The most “troublesome” part of this whole process is actually the initial purchase. Everything from comparing prices and vendors to reading reviews, we go through a strenuous process to get what we feel are the “best deals”. Not to worry, we will have another article soon to help you find the smart home package for you.