DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My husband’s friend has convinced him we need to make our 1990s split-level into a smart home. This friend says he knows someone who can get us all set for less than $4000, which seems like a lot of money to me just to be able to give a voice command to turn off a light or lower the heat overnight, especially as we need a new roof and have been told our hot water heater is nearing the end of its life.
My husband has always been a little bit of a nerd, but I can’t see the value of putting out a few thousand dollars on something we can and have lived without when we have better and more important things to put that money towards.
We have talked about this many times, and he is convinced upgrading our house with IoT is the way to go. I think it would be a waste of money, but how do I get him to see that? --- NO NEED FOR A SMART HOME
DEAR NO NEED FOR A SMART HOME: You could point out to your husband that smart technology can’t control a non-working hot water heater. Nor will it keep an aging roof from leaking.
It’s easy to be pulled into the attraction of having a home that can optimize all its appliances and systems, and there’s something to be said for how a smart home can save you on utility bills and, if properly installed, add to the resale value of your home.
But that doesn’t mean basic maintenance and traditional low-tech but necessary upkeep — like roof repairs or replacement — should be ignored or put off any longer than they need to be. Properly done low-tech improvements and enhancements will also make a house attractive to buyers.