Q: We’ve been thinking about installing a smart-home system in our house, but we are unsure whether it’s something we need or just an expensive gimmick. 值得吗??
A: The term “smart home,” now a catch-all term for a connected residence, is something of a misnomer. Smart homes are really networked ecosystems, 与直觉的, easy-to-use interfaces rather than a single system. 它们提供安慰, 安全, 健康和娱乐, and can be incredibly useful when fully integrated and used correctly.
While the popularity of home automation has risen, there are still a lot of misconceptions about smart-home technology. Let’s debunk a few of the most common myths.
这太复杂了，弄不明白.
是也不是. A lot of consumers were first introduced to smart-home technology via early unintuitive DIY devices that were, 除了少数例外, 笨重的. Tech like “connected” thermostats that track homeowners’ preferred temperatures and adjust accordingly can be a nightmare if not installed correctly. 幸运的是, the tech has evolved to the point where most connected thermostats are now installed by HVAC professionals.
底线? While some people are comfortable working on their own plumbing or electrical systems, most aren’t. The same is true with smart-home technology. For stress-free results, leave it to a pro.
这不过是骗人的废话.
There’s a kernel of truth in this myth, too: The term “smart” has been slapped on everything from toothbrushes to water bottles. 好消息是? The tech has evolved to a point where voice-control software can do a lot more than play a song and tell bad Dad jokes.
当技术起作用时, it provides real benefits — increased 安全, 更高效的暖通空调, 最佳的照明, expanded entertainment options and more. Imagine a lighting system that mimics the color temperature of natural sunlight at any given time of day, 然后在睡觉时自动关闭. Now imagine that system “telling” automated shades to adjust the ambient light and climate of the home to meet your minute-by-minute needs. 这不是噱头.
这些东西都是易碎的垃圾.
Companies offering the most reputable home-automation systems are fully aware that any failure, whether a mid-movie signal interruption or a 安全 breach, 完全不能接受. 为此目的, the testing processes for everything from temperature extremes to hacking attacks are incredibly stringent.
None of this stuff will work when I need it to, or with other stuff.
Think about the automation in your car. It’s all branded Toyota, Lexus or BMW, but some parts and devices are made by other firms. Yet the locks recognize your fob when you approach, and the backup camera clicks on when you put it into reverse. Your vehicle is an ecosystem of automotive automation. Your home can be just as intuitive and dependable with many different compatible devices.
It’ll go haywire every time there’s an update.
Yes, these systems are becoming more complex, but they’re also maturing. That finetuning prevents a lot of hiccups during software and firmware updates. Back to the car analogy: Your vehicle needs service sometimes. 你的智能家居系统也是如此. Technology designers and installers offer regular service contracts akin to an ongoing HVAC service, and many issues can be resolved remotely.
Wi-Fi connectivity can handle everything I add to this system.
The reliance on wireless connectivity is a true double-edged sword. Yes, it’s extraordinarily convenient, with more and more wireless devices introduced every day. Plug-in hubs that expand networks have proven their worth. But the backbone of the best smart-home systems, the ones that ensure the least number of problems, 是硬连线布线吗.
This stuff is spying on me and collecting personal data. Also, it just gives hackers a back door into my house.
安全是有层次的. As devices become ever more secure against intrusion, the weak link in most networks often turns out to be the human user. 事实上, most breaches are actually the result of phishing attacks, 通常通过电子邮件, 以房主为目标. If you’re using smart-home tech, you should know best practices for safe and secure internet use.
至于隐私, 是的, 这是一个巨大的担忧, but having a professional design your smart-home system will strengthen your defenses and help protect your data. This is especially important as the lines between work and home become ever blurrier. Remote workers have a unique responsibility when it comes to data protection and privacy.
Ed Wenck是 快思聪, a member of the 建筑大师协会 of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). 如果你要装修房子, 重构 or residential home建筑 question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600个成员, 写信给 homework@livingatepperson.com.