Why Should I Buy a Smart Appliance?

According to "First World", over 50% of homes now have "Smart", or Internet-connected goods, in their homes.  In my industry however, the use of smart appliances is another story. Only 21% of homeowners have smart major appliances.  On top of that, over half of the consumers who purchase smart appliances don't actually use the extra features.

https://www.firstpost.com/world/more-than-half-of-smart-appliance-users-dont-enable-iot-services-or-smart-features-12048122.html

Why is that??

I'll get back to that, but first I'd like to cover a few of the features and added benefits a smart appliance can provide. For example:

Refrigerators-   

1. You can get an alert if the unit's internal temperature starts to rise.
2. You can get notifications if the refrigerator door is left open.
3. In some cases, cameras inside the fridge can tell you which food items need to replenished.

This link courtesy of GE expands on the above:

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=23164

Stoves and ovens-

1. You can turn the oven on and begin the preheat process before arriving home.
2. You can download extra features such as specialty cooking modes and recipes through an app that most manufacturers now provide.
3. You can change the oven temperature remotely.

Once again I will share a link from GE, showing some additional benefits: https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=23810

Now what about laundry?   Wouldn't it be awesome if smart washers and dryers could actually fold and put away your clothes?   

We're not there yet, but... in the meantime...

Smart laundry benefits do include:

1. Notification when the washer and/or dryer has finished.
2. More specialty cycles to help maintain your clothes last longer.
3. On some models, the app will recommend the proper cycle in both washer and dryer for maximum care of your valuable clothing.

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So those are some of the valuable benefits to smart appliances.  Yet, as I mentioned above, the majority of appliance purchases do not include a smart, connected model (and even fewer people use the features!).

What are some of the "cons" we hear about from customers when smart benefits are discussed?

1. The product itself may cost a little more (keep in mind however that you may be picking up additional features on a product that do not require a connection.)
2. Connecting an appliance to your home Internet usually requires downloading and adding an app to your phone; some people are either unwilling to do this, or can be intimidated by the "learning curve" involved.
3. Some people have concerns about security.

Consumer Reports offered an enlightening review of the potential security issues:

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/smart-appliances-and-privacy-a1186358482/

So, is purchasing a smart appliance a good idea for you?   My opinion:  I think it depends on whether you plan to use the smart features. Even a "dumb" stove or range will preserve or cook your food; most of the enhancements that a smart appliance offers are convenience features, and you may well find yourself using some of these features on a regular basis (I think back to the 70's and 80's when remote controlled televisions first appeared - imagine having to walk up to your set to change stations today!) 

To me it's like any other appliance feature; as a rule of thumb I suggest to my customers that a given feature is worth the extra money if it's a feature that is going to be used and enjoyed (such as a convection fan in an oven, or an icemaker in a refrigerator.)   

The appliance industry, like pretty much every consumer goods oriented industry, is going to get smarter and smarter in the coming years.  Just as we've all gotten used to the convenience (or even have come to rely on) smartphones in our pockets, or streaming services for our television, smart features in your appliances can make your life easier, and in some cases (consider downloading a new recipe for example) even more enjoyable!

Please reach out to any of our sales professionals in our ten (and soon to be eleven - keep an eye out for the Grand Opening of our eleventh store in Shrewsbury MA!!!)* to answer any questions you may have regarding the benefits and use of today's modern appliances!   Store locations and phone numbers are prominently listed on the front page of our website.

* Update on the Shrewsbury opening:  Our Grand Opening is set for June 22, but if you need something now we are open for business!!