I will admit upfront that I am a huge fan of home automation. On more than one occasion, I have found myself excitedly speaking to a friend or family member about my latest smart home conquest only to be met with obvious disinterest. I often hear things like, “I don’t need smart home automation.”

That’s absolutely true. The world got along just fine before smart home devices began emerging. And if I instantly lost all my devices right now, my life would carry on just the same without them. But when people tell me they don’t need smart home automation – as a passive-aggressive way of telling me I should not be wasting my time with it – I remind them that they don’t need a car, either.

Technology Makes Life Better

The majority of U.S. adults have at least one smart device, even if that device is a smartphone. Depending on whose statistics you believe, anywhere from 30%-50% of American households have at least one smart home device. Among all non-adopters, 57% say they avoid home automation because they don’t need it.

One of the interesting things about technology is that we don’t really need it when it is first introduced. For example, one of the earliest home automation devices of the modern era was the washing machine. Nobody really needed one when they first came to market. But why did so many American families buy one? Because it made life easier.

Think of any technology developed over the last few hundred years. In nearly every case, the technology was not essential. It was invented and developed to make life easier on someone. From cars to refrigerators to televisions and radios, technological advances have changed the way we live – hopefully for the better.

It is usually not until decades later that the technology becomes a necessity. I mentioned the car earlier. No one really needed one in the 1920s. But we have become so dependent on them that not having a car in the 2020s puts a person at a severe disadvantage.

Why People Appreciate Home Automation

It is true that we don’t need home automation. But it sure brings a lot to the table. So perhaps it would be helpful to explore white people appreciate it. For that we turn to Vivint Home Security, a nationwide leader in professionally installed home automation and security systems.

Vivint explains the three primary reasons consumers adopt smart home technology:

  1. Convenience – First up is convenience. It’s hard to deny that certain home automation devices make a difference. For example, which is more convenient: unlocking your front door by speaking to your phone or fumbling with your keys while you are holding two bags of groceries?
  2. Energy Efficiency – Some people adopt home automation technology to make their homes more energy efficient. Home automation offers more precise and efficient control of thermostats, lighting, window shades, irrigation systems, and more.
  3. Security – Home automation can make a home more secure with a handful of devices. Examples include video cameras, motion sensors, and motion activated lighting. Throw in smart locks for an extra bit of security.

I’ll be honest. I first got into home automation because I am obsessed with all things technology. But now that I have first-hand experience with home automation’s immense capabilities, I am also enjoying more convenience, energy efficiency, and security.

Do I need home automation? No. But I also don’t need a car. I have both because they make my life better. The next technology that can make things even better will still make it to my home. That is the way I roll.