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Dispelling smart home automation myths

Despite its growing popularity, there are still many myths concerning smart home automation. ET Nice, distributor of FIBARO home automation solutions, debunks five of the more common myths.

1. Smart homes cost a fortune

Because the FIBARO system can be mounted on any electrical infrastructure within a home, installation costs are substantially reduced. FIBARO solutions are easy to integrate with other home automation elements, so by including those that are already installed it allows one to merge all devices and their smart features within one smart system, thereby minimising costs.

FIBARO solutions are modular, making future extensions of the system both easy and cost-effective. “The only really binding decision that you need to make before buying is the choice of core technology to deploy: Apple HomeKit (for example, Apple TV or iPad as a HUB) or Home Centre HUB related with Z-Wave technology,” says ET Nice sales and marketing executive, Gerald Kirsten.

2. Installation of smart home equipment is very complicated

The assembly of the smart home system typically takes place in two stages. The first is the assembly, that is, the installation of individual elements in the target places. The second is the configuration of the system.

The installation process of most battery-powered devices is usually very straightforward. “In fact part of the FIBARO system doesn’t even require tools: they can be successfully located on a wall, ceiling or furniture using the provided double-sided tape. Some devices do not require any attachment by definition, such as the flood detector (flood sensor). Simply place the detector in the correct place. The wall plug is a smart outlet, powered by a classic power circuit. In this case the installation is reduced to connecting it to an existing outlet,” Kirsten explains.

Configuration is performed through a user-friendly interface supported on computer or mobile devices. “In spite of the fact that the setup process is theoretically and practically easy, we would advise using an experienced installer to, firstly, help you select the right FIBARO devices and, secondly, to do the actual set up of the smart home automation system,” Kirsten points out.

3. Smart homes are difficult to maintain

Smart home systems are designed to make life easier for users and a well-configured system should require very little maintenance.

“We suggest that the installer performs a system check-up after a month or two of the system’s use. Experience shows that a verification run can substantially reduce unexpected system errors. Users can grant smart home system remote access to the installer for this process to be performed remotely via the FIBARO Installer app, thereby eliminating the need for the installer to return to the home,” says Kirsten.

4. Smart homes needs continuous Internet access

FIBARO’s smart home systems retain full functionality even when they are not connected to the Internet. “The lack of access to the network does not affect automatically performed functions such as switching on the lights at a certain time of a day or in response to a detected motion. Moreover, Z-Wave technology keeps all of the safety-critical automation features such as carbon monoxide detection, emergency gate opening or water or gas emergency shutdown, completely live. These features work even when the Home Centre is turned off,” says Kirsten.

5. A smart home is difficult to use

The FIBARO smart home system has been designed to make it easy for users that have had no previous exposure to smart home solutions. “There is a mobile app available for your smartphone, tablet or smart watch which is simple, intuitive and very user-friendly, with a superior UX design. We have seven branches strategically situated throughout South Africa with a knowledgeable team that have the technical expertise and experience to assist clients in finding the optimum FIBARO home automation solution,” says Kirsten.

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