Smart Home Technology – One Electrician’s Point of View

Some readers may be a bit too young to remember HAL 9000 (Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer), the primary antagonist of Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey. As a sentient computer possessing artificial intelligence, HAL ran all of the systems of the spacecraft Discovery One. Learning that HALs astronaut associates are contemplating shutting it down due to an apparent error, HAL decides to kill them in order to protect and continue its programmed directives.

Over a decade after this epic tale was to have occurred, Smart Home Technology has come a very long way indeed. Forms of it are being installed in homes and businesses across the nation, and the North Carolina Piedmont is no exception. These devices are designed to create convenience while helping to save on electricity bills.  While they should not be technically considered Artificial Intelligence (AI), some are designed to “learn” about us in order to make us more comfortable. Does anyone get the irony here?

Yet the nightmare scenario of computers taking over our homes here in the Triad may not be as far fetched as you might think. Take Nest for example, the new technology that allows homeowners to control their thermostat, lights, security systems, and even smoke alarms through the use of tablets and mobile devices. The system even “learns” your living patterns, enabling it to adjust your thermostat when it expects you to arrive home or be away. While these technologies are amazing in their conception, some things should be considered when installing smart home components in your residence or business. Because these systems are often haphazardly connected to the Internet, security has been a struggle. A Forbes magazine staffer recently successfully hacked into eight smart homes from her living room. Calling each on their phones to inform them, she was able to control their lights, heating systems, and security systems.

I don't want to alarm you to a point where you shy away from these new, ingenious technologies that are available to us more and more every day. These homeowners made simple mistakes that lead to their vulnerability. But it emphasizes how important it is to have these technologies properly and professionally installed in order to protect the system and ultimately, its masters.

Beco Electrical utilizes and installs the devices often considered smart home technology. Lutron’s RadioRA, for example, is a lighting system that wirelessly connects control panels with existing and newly installed lights. No internal wiring need be installed in the walls, saving our customers money in installation time. Another convenient innovation, MobileLink, notifies customers via text messaging that their Generac™ generator is running efficiently. That provides peace of mind for home and business owners, especially those who have second homes with backup generator systems.

If you are considering any of these convenient new technologies for smart home capabilities, it is important that they are professionally installed and tested to ensure security and safety. After all, convenience is only that if it does not cause additional problems down the road.