The Top 2 Reasons Some People Do Not Invest in Smart Home Tech
Investing in smart Home Tech is not even a question for me. I am on board. But market research shows that just over 40% of American households do not have a single smart home device. Given the popularity of the smart home concept, it would be interesting to know why that is.
Well, we do not have to guess. The same market research showing 59% of Americans on board with smart home technology also explains why so many people continue to stay away from home automation. The top two reasons are not all that surprising when you stop and think about them.
Reason #1: Cost
The most often cited reason for not embracing smart home technology is cost. Despite being an avid smart home fan myself, I get it. Equipping your home with a smart speaker and a couple of smart light bulbs can easily have you looking at a $100 price tag. I recently invested in a smart outdoor plug. It was the cheapest one on the market and still cost me $25.
Imagine trying to build an entire home automation system that includes smart lighting, temperature control, irrigation, and home security. Spending several hundred dollars is certainly not out of the question. Buy top-of-the-line equipment and you could be looking at a total price tag closer to $1,000.
Subscription Costs
Equipment costs are just the beginning. If you don’t have the skill or knowledge to build your own DIY system, you might find yourself investing in home automation through a company like Vivint Home Security. Vivint subscriptions are on the pricier side. But in fairness, they justify their prices through premium services other providers do not offer.
Yet premium services don’t change the fact that monthly subscription costs add up. At a time when inflation has caused retail prices to soar, many consumers just do not have the extra money to spend on what so many consider a luxury.
Reason #2: Limited Usefulness
The second big reason people are not investing in home automation is a perceived lack of usefulness. I am guessing this applies mainly to people in my generation (Gen X) and the baby boomers. Bear in mind that none of the digital technologies we enjoy today existed when we older folks were growing up.
My parents grew up before there was television. Radio was their primary form of media entertainment. As for me, I grew up without things like personal computers, DVRs, and cell phones. Here is the thing: we older folks are used to doing things manually. We just don’t have a burning desire for automation.
It’s Different for Younger Generations
While we older folks see limited usefulness in home automation, younger generations have an opposite view. They grew up with technology. Gen Z doesn’t know a world without smartphones and the internet. As a result, automation is something that seems second nature to them. It is something they have grown up expecting.
My own kids are into the home automation thing. So is my niece. I suspect my grandkids will be all about it when they are old enough to start buying their own smart home devices. As for me, I am a bit unusual in the sense that I am interested in home automation despite most of my friends not caring a bit.
Among those who show no interest in home automation, cost is the biggest inhibitor. A perceived lack of usefulness takes second place. Will the industry ever overcome these two obstacles? Given enough time, yes. Home automation will eventually be the norm for everyone.
