5 Common Smart Home Mistakes Most People Make

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From the very first smart home device I bought, I became an instant fan of this technology. Over time, I made my home truly “smart” by equipping it with several other devices, all collectively helping me to make my living convenient.

However, in the journey of equipping my home with smart devices, I had no guiding hand and hence, I made a lot of common mistakes. But, now that I know all the ins and outs of a smart home, I’ve jotted down a few common yet crucial mistakes to watch out for, which I’m sharing below:

Not Upgrading the Internet Connection

As you may know, most smart home devices require a reliable internet connection to work efficiently. However, even if you have one that supports your daily online activities and a few smart home devices, know that it has limited bandwidth.

Every internet connection distributes the available bandwidth among the connected devices. The bandwidth gets thinner every time a new home device is added. So, the same connection that once easily supported one or two devices can get spotty at times. Simply because supporting numerous smart home devices simultaneously is beyond the capacity of the same internet connection. Consequently, this may significantly impact the performance of your smart home devices. Your smart home devices may take some time to respond to your queries, or worse, not work at all.

So, it’s best to upgrade to a high-speed internet plan that offers more bandwidth for seamless working of your smart home devices. I’ve got more than 10 smart home devices and they work like a breeze on my Spectrum Internet. Plus, as there are no data caps on Spectrum Internet plans, I don’t have to keep a tight rein over my daily online activities.

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Not Keeping Smart Home Device’s Compatibility in Mind

It’s a fact that not all smart home devices are created equal. Yes, each of them helps to make our lives convenient but in no way does it indicate that all of them will be compatible. If your smart home devices are not compatible, you may use them via their app separately. And this, I believe is a major setback for anyone who truly wants to make their home smart!

If you’re just starting your smart home journey, then make sure to buy the smart home gadgets of the same brand. This way, smart home devices can easily integrate into a smart hub. 

If you don’t find all smart home devices of the same brand, then look for compatibility pointers in different devices. Most smart home devices now come with compatibility pointers indicating other devices they’d work seamlessly with. So, those pointers may help you choose the best device that’ll easily connect to the rest of your smart home devices.

Not Updating Smart Home Device’s Software and Firmware

Smart home devices are electronics, and like other electronic devices such as our smartphones, they may receive frequent software and firmware updates. These updates are vital for the smooth performance of smart home devices as they may contain bug fixes for minor errors, security patches to improve the device’s security, or new or improved features for more functionality. 

Some smart home devices get automatic updates while for some gadgets, you may need to install those updates manually. In that case, you may head out to the device’s app to install those updates.

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Not Getting Professional Help for Installation

I’ve seen a lot of people opting out of professional installation to save money. Yes, a few smart home devices such as voice assistants may not need any technical knowledge for installation. So, there’s no point in paying a hefty fee for its installation.

However, some smart home devices, for instance, thermostats, smart heating/cooling systems, or cameras may require professional installation. If you lack the technical expertise to install these complex systems, it’s best to get a professional’s help because they may know all the ins and outs of installing such devices.

Also, know that if a device is installed inaccurately, it may malfunction a lot with time. Plus, you should be especially careful when installing a smart home device that includes electrical wiring in your house. A small mistake may cause a short circuit, which you definitely won’t want happening.

Not Taking Security Measures into Account

Like most electronic devices, smart home gadgets may be vulnerable to security threats. Note that smart home gadgets may store data so that they may adapt to our preferences and behaviors. So, as a user, you must ensure that the data stored on those devices is safe.

Moreover, you may also need to watch out for privacy concerns as some hackers may try to breach the security of your devices. So, whenever you go shopping for smart home devices, make sure you read the terms and conditions of smart home devices or check their security protocols or privacy policy regarding protection of your data.

Bonus Section: Tips on Smartly Building Your Smart Home

Now that I have explained the common smart home mistakes people make, here are a few more factors you should consider before buying smart home devices:

  • Do Not Buy Multiple Smart Home Devices Simultaneously:
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Frankly speaking, it’s never a good idea to invest in multiple smart home devices at once. It’s because when you’re tempted to buy more smart home gadgets, you may end up buying devices that have no utility in your house. Not to forget the hard-earned money you spend on purchasing those smart home devices.

  • Do Not Buy Low-Priced Smart Home Devices:

Quality smart home gadgets may not be cheap, but since they’ve become household products, their rates have dipped significantly. And most people may be tempted to buy low-priced products, simply because they seem like a bargain. However, I believe it’s never a good idea to go for such inexpensive gadgets as they may have software, security, functionality issues, and more. Plus, such products may not offer any quality customer support for help.

  • Stick to an Ecosystem:

A smart home becomes more effective and fun when all the devices are seamlessly integrated. Otherwise, you may be switching between smart devices’ apps to manage them separately. So, to ensure you do not face any problems while connecting the smart home devices, it’s best to buy smart home devices of the same brand so you create an effective ecosystem.

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