5 dumb devices every smart home needs
Many smart devices are far superior to their dumb counterparts. Smart plugs, for example, can do much more than traditional plugs. Sometimes, however, it happens that just a stupid device is enough.
Physical Locks
Many smart locks are designed to work with your existing locks. For example, I have a Nuki smart lock that fits inside my door. I can unlock the door using the smart lock, but I can also use the original key.
This is not the case for all smart locks, however. Products like the Yale Keyless Smart Lock eliminate keys altogether. It’s good when the lock works properly, but if something goes wrong, there’s no way to get into your house. The Yale Keyless Smart Lock includes a battery backup system to reduce the risk of lockout, but there is still a chance that you will be locked out of your own home.
This is why it is always important to have at least one physical lock that you can use to access your home. If something goes wrong with your smart lock, you’ll still have a way to get in and out of your home without the help of a locksmith.
Smoke detectors
Smart smoke detectors (and carbon monoxide detectors) are very useful. Unlike traditional devices, smart smoke detectors have internet connectivity, allowing you to be alerted when smoke has been detected even when you are not at home. With a traditional smoke detector, if you’re not at home, you don’t know if it’s going off or not.
The downside to smart smoke detectors, however, is that they are generally much more power-hungry than the dumb versions. If it is a wired model, your smart smoke detector will not work in the event of a power outage and battery backup. If it’s a battery model, the battery will drain much faster than a stupid model. Regardless of how it is powered, there are more opportunities for a smart smoke detector to fail than a dumb one.
Dumb smoke detectors do not need to rely on a network connection and can operate for several years on a single battery. As long as you keep changing the batteries, your stupid smoke detector should still work. The best solution is to include both stupid and smart smoke detectors in your home, giving you the best of both worlds. We have a mix of things in our house and in my experience the dumb smoke detectors have been much quicker to respond than the smart detectors.
Surge protectors
Your smart home will only stay smart if the devices inside it work. Electrical devices are unfortunately exposed to power surges. A power surge can directly damage electrical devices or generate additional heat that melts or burns vital parts.
There are several ways to protect your devices from power surges. The most obvious is to unplug them from the mains, but this is not an ideal solution for a smart home. The simplest solution is to use power strips with built-in surge protectors. These can protect your valuable electrical equipment from power surges and save you from having to purchase expensive replacements.
The most effective option is a whole-house surge protector. This can protect devices throughout your home, including expensive items like HVAC systems. It will also protect any electronic devices you may have plugged into your home.
A doorbell or knocker
Video doorbells are one of the best examples of dumb devices that have been hugely improved by smart technology. A silent doorbell does one thing: it emits a sound in your home when pressed. A video doorbell lets you know when the doorbell rings, no matter where you are. Video doorbells also allow you to see who is at the door and talk to them even if you are on the other side of the planet.
There is a major problem with video doorbells and that is that they require power. If the battery dies or you lose power to your video doorbell, it doesn’t just lose its smart capabilities; it completely stops working as a doorbell. When someone presses the button, nothing happens and you have no idea there is anyone at the door.
This is why a backup option such as a secondary mute doorbell or door knocker is really helpful. This means that people will still be able to catch your eye when they are at the front door, for as long as you are home.
Fire extinguishers
One of the dangers of using electrical equipment in your home is that you put yourself at risk of electrical fires. Electrical malfunctions are a major contributor to residential fires. Electrical fires can start in a variety of ways, from faulty wiring and damaged outlets to overloading circuits or simply leaving appliances running unattended.
A good fire extinguisher is a crucial item that every home should have, whether it’s a smart home or not. For electrical fires, water and foam extinguishers should never be used; options such as carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguishers are the safest choice.
Fire extinguishers are one of those items you buy hoping you’ll never need to use them. However, if the worst happens, you may be extremely glad you purchased one.
Not every device in your smart home needs to be smart. There are occasions when a stupid device is perfect for the job. Often the best solution is a combination of dumb and smart devices, with the dumb versions providing a reliable backup in case the smart technology fails.
