12 Ways Smart Home Devices Make Maintenance Harder

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With smart home devices being the poster children of modern convenience, our homes are now able to speak to us. They’ve made it easy for us to control our homes, from adjusting thermostat while on the road to asking your virtual assistant what the weather is like. While these devices can automate tasks and make daily routines easier, they can also cause headaches that you didn’t see coming — especially when maintenance is due.

Imagine that the gadgets we turn to to simplify life create layers of frustration, ironic, isn’t it? Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at how these modern marvels can sometimes work against you.

Compatibility Chaos

When you buy a smart device, it feels a lot like joining an exclusive club. The bad news is that not all gadgets play nicely together. You could shell out for a smart thermostat only to find out that it doesn’t talk to your security system. It can also lead to a Frankenstein home setup that’s nearly impossible to fix when things go awry. While that may seem bad enough, there’s more as it may need more than one app or device to control, which muddies the waters.

Firmware Updates at the Worst Time

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Firmware updates are essential to the normal operation of smart devices. But these updates aren’t always made when you want. Think of your security camera rebooting itself in the middle of a power outage or your thermostat glitching during a heat wave. Although necessary, these updates can interrupt your day when you most need to have it running.

Shortened Lifespan of Devices

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You’ll find most smart devices don’t live quite as long since technological advances are moving quickly and built in obsolescence is common. And when manufacturers no longer support older models, you’re left with an expensive paperweight.

Data Dependency

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A lot of smart gadgets are built around the cloud. Your device’s functionality depends on your internet connection or the availability of the company’s servers, and if these falter, then so does your device. Can you imagine being unable to unlock your front door because the app won’t connect? This over dependence on connectivity can turn maintenance into a dance with your Wi-Fi signal.

Complex Troubleshooting

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Traditional appliances break, and often you can understand how to repair with some elbow grease and a few tools. On the other hand, smart devices need you to crack those cryptic error codes, or dive through forums to get answers. Trying to troubleshoot these gadgets feels like trying to decipher an ancient manuscript, especially if you’re not tech savvy.

Security Concerns

According to ScienceDirect, the more homes become smart, the more vulnerable they are to cyber threats. Poorly secured devices can be exploited by the hackers to have access to your network. This is more than creepy; it can lead to software corruption or an outright failure of the device.

Unplanned Costs

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There are hidden financial surprises with smart home systems. All these battery changes for the sensors, and also the subscription required to use the premium features… or even the occasional professional repair — they all add up. You might spend more on a thermostat that promises to save on energy bills than the savings it actually provides.

Over-Complicated Setups

If you’ve ever attempted to install a smart doorbell, you know how you feel like you’re trying to put together a spaceship. Setting these gadgets up for the first time can be needlessly complicated, demanding a combination of technical knowhow and patience. If that setup isn’t done perfectly, it will never stop being a problem, and will require constant tweaking.

Constant Notifications

Notifications from smart home apps can quickly spiral out of control, as they love to keep you in the loop. We don’t need a leaky faucet sensor sending you 20 alerts about the same drip, that’s just annoying. It’s a job in itself to filter unnecessary notifications that distract you from actual problems and make you less focused.

Environmental Impact

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Energy efficient smart devices are the norm, but their production and disposal tell a different story. Many of them contain materials that can’t be easily recycled, adding to electronic waste. In addition, frequent upgrades contribute to many thrown out gadgets ending up in landfills. They come marketed as eco friendly, but the environmental cost is waved under the rug.

Limited Local Control

There are some devices made to only work via their manufacturer’s servers. In other words, your gadget might become useless if the company goes out of business. Another feature is that voice control or automation might not work during internet outages, making “smart” devices ‘dumb’ at the worst moment.

Building Learning Curves for the Less Tech Savvy

Technology is not something everyone is comfortable with and learning to manage a suite of smart devices can be overwhelming. And for some, even getting through app menus can be frustrating. For instance, older adults may find using smart home technology difficult which underscores that these devices aren’t one–size–fits–all.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.