Question

What is the biggest reason people dont install or have installed smart home devices?  

Answer 1

I haven’t installed any smart functionality in my home due to the confusion of which devices work with each other, not wanting to have multiple apps to control it all. This is one of the reasons that I’m here, watching that sort of posts!  

Comments

@aksoyn look into hass. io, as it integrates with loads of different devices and brands.  

---

@aksoyn I think you’re not alone. I see a lot of people who think the whole landscape is a bunch of point solutions. So Alexa/Google Home play music, answer questions. Smart light bulbs are modern timers, door locks, garage door sensors, etc. are singular solutions. I think the benefits shine when you can combine the solutions into an ecosystem that improves your life. This is especially true for older folks who need tech help and who benefit from these systemic solutions.  

---

@trainee48 I wish all of them would work together though! Some things only work with google, others Alexa, some need a hub, others don’t, and I have yet to find any reliable source to tell what does work together! Some of the things that I see here that people post will work with one system, I cannot find it documented anywhere else, such as the product package, or information on the company’s website. I’m going to slowly start getting a plan together, probably buy a few devices here and there, and see how it all pans out!  

---

@aksoyn yes, I see this too. I have begun recommending buying a Hue hub and a handful of lightbulbs as well as a Google Home. Personally, I pieced it together with items on Sale and I’m running different tech and hubs. Drives my family crazy. I’m about to flip to a single solution though.  

---

@trainee48 I was thinking about the Smartthings hub, I know it would work with my phone at least! LOL It also works with Apple, which would cover the wife's iPhone and the iPads we have through the household. I'm not thrilled about Alexa, would rather Google home, but it's all still in the the research process.  

Answer 2

No internet

Answer 3

Everything will soon be wireless so u can do it anytime vs when you build or when u move in ‍♂️

Answer 4

Security risk mainly

Answer 5

People I talk to say they don't trust those devices to not sell their data

Comments

@marquis Thanksng I find people stupid though, they won't trust smart devices put they trust the likes of Facebook, which listens all the time lol

---

@elegist yeah, I always ask if they have a smart phone. The moment of realisation on their face can be priceless

---

@marquis Thanksng with some people even telling what their phone is currently doing doesn’t register  I’ve got a few friends that visit my house who are reluctant to speak around my devices without my muting the mic, then I ask them what do you think your phones doing, you get some stupid responses

Answer 6

Lack of tech savvy which you quickly see when they get flummoxed by their uninformed oh so trendy choices without any research into them beforehand

Comments

@manichaeism not Abad thing if they are willing to ask for help and learn to become more savvy

---

@manichaeism, yeah, I definitely see the trendy choices with home surveillance cameras. IP cameras and an NVR make are the most secure and less expensive operationally.  

Answer 7

They don't know the functionality. I can tell you they are certainly much more interested after I've told my lights to turn off or heater to warm up.  

Answer 8

Complex to roll out depending on some physical conditions (i. e. lack of neutral power), costs, lack of unified ecosystem like you see on the mobile space and variables for specific use cases

Answer 9

Cost and complexity where I come from

Answer 10

Complexity and lack of trust I think mainly

Answer 11

Lack of simplicity.  

Answer 12

Too many apps and communication protocols. Too new a market. People want to wait and see who survives before pouring money in

Answer 13

It took me over a year to really get started. I bought lots of stuff on Amazon that I returned. I built too many hubs and wasted too much time configuring the hubs. There were too many choices. I could buy smart light bulbs or smart switches or both. If I wanted a switch, then which protocol: x10, zigbee, zwave, Ethernet? I made some simplifying choices and that made the follow-on choices easier. Yes, cost is an issue. Replacing a $1. 29 light switch that never breaks with one that $25 to $50 and may malfunction from time-to-time is not smart. But I love doing it. I have 60+ HA devices and friends and family think I am nuts. Exchanged posts with a guy who has ~350 devices. He must really be nuts, but he gave me some good ideas about HA I missed. Each step was gratifying, but when my wife was able to do multiple things one command then that's when I became an HA addict

Comments

I'd like to hear your setup. I've only got a few devices, but I'm definitely looking for a direction in which to expand.  

---

I'm still living in the first paragraph of your experience. lol

Answer 14

Money  

Answer 15

I got advice and a little hands on help from someone in the biz. Quotes from companies that do it were 5-8k. We went with google home and mini’s, smart things hub, zwave switches and outlets, electronic locks. Then I learned how to IFTTT so that she could unlock as well as lock the doors by voice. So lights, fans, locks, some tv functions (still working on that) are all voice controlled. Wasn’t cheap but well below the cost of the quotes.  

Answer 16

They live in a tent

Answer 17

A lot of Old people don’t like change. Even if it makes things easier.  

Answer 18

Security is a joke. I'll start believing they are secure when some manufacturer starts loading each device they ship with $20 of cryptocurrency. If the cryptocurrency is still secured by all of the devices a year later then we have a new level that hasn't been seen yet.  

Answer 19

The no internet meaning your cloud controlled apps/devices are stuck on/off. (My solution is 3 internet connections with double redundant firewalls) Security (use Pi-hole and a UTM gateway to block suspect traffic and/or only use brand name kit) Maintenance (set webcore alerts for low batts etc) None of the issues are too hard to solve, with a bit of effort

Answer 20

Sister-in-law said it was "too complex", I pointed out she uses Facebook and it's no more complicated. In the end it's because she doesn't like change or learning something new (a non-smart light switch does work).  

Answer 21

Because it isn’t necessary.  

Answer 22

Im lazy af Lol And I like to boss Alexa around At least she listens

Answer 23

Lack of understanding. Heck, I do too, but the average person doesn’t want to sit there piecing things to work together. They wouldn’t mind a smart home system that was done for them all with one interface for $500 though.  

Answer 24

It’s not for people who just want it to work. It takes a lot of patience and research sometimes to figure out setup and support. I spent this morning trying to figure out why my automated lights stopped working In The kitchen. I think my main motion sensor is broken.  

Answer 25

Obviously to have remote access to some features. Not to install because some people don't see the big use of it.  

Answer 26

Implementation is one, the other is adoption. Changing your approach to turning devices or lights on. It took our household a bit of time to get use to not using the light switch and just having the sensors do it’s job. It’s now become second nature.  

Comments

@aboral Chhoeng yes, you have to add enough to make it more common to use your voice than use a switch. Curious, how complete was your installation? All light? Most?  

---

All lights and sensors. Never did install switches

Answer 27

Techno fear. I constantly forget how most people can barely keep a smartphone running, let alone make sure their router is configured properly to allow remote access to Home Assistant etc or to do basic electrical wiring changes.  

Answer 28

Mostly a waste of money / not as reliable as the old stuff.  

Comments

@headmistress because your using cheap consumer based products. Too many people on Amazon buying cheap "Smart Home" products and wonder why it doesn't work and isn't reliable. Real "Smart Home" products like Lutron and Control4 are not cheap but work and are reliable.  

---

Not the point. The point was the technology is more of a want than a need and if your wifi goes out its not as fun.  

Answer 29

Too many cheap consumer based "smart home" products that don't always work and aren't reliable and gives people a bad experience

Answer 30

EMF and EMI ❗

Answer 31

Money vs know how vs lifestyle vs hobby. So money is the big factor, but if it serves as a hobby and you learn to diy then its fun and saves some money. My wife, even though I did it all myself against her will slowly, eventually got used to it, then we moved houses now she cant live without it. Now with kids we are coming up with all kinds of ideas that would help our lifestyle. On the other hand I have a friend who has all the money in the world(not really but hes well off with a wife and they want no kids afiak) Hes trying to install EVERY smart thing, iot thing, everything he can think of, and a few of us are like. umm why. Some of it is practicality too depending how far you wanna go but if you have all the money and want a hobby, hey why not.  

Answer 32

Power outages  

Answer 33

There's no need for it

Answer 34

Nobody in the household is nerdy enough! I'm the only one that cares. Wife/others reap the benefits but she is clueless. It's a hill to climb to learn enough that you are not just throwing money a bits that aren't compatible or really don't suit your needs.