Let’s talk about the most important metric in any smart home project: The Spousal Approval Factor (SAF). You can have the most sophisticated sensors, the sleekest gadgets, and the most intricate automations, but if your significant other isn’t happy, your smart home dreams can quickly turn into a smart home nightmare!
I’ve learned this firsthand. My wife is generally supportive of my smart home, ahem, enthusiasm, but let’s just say that the journey from dumb to smart has had its bumps. It is usually me who wants to automate everything.
Take my ongoing quest to perfect our Sleep Mode Lighting, for example. The grand vision: after 9 PM, with the living room TV off, the house gracefully transitions into a tranquil, dimly lit haven. Motion sensors (or in my case, the amazing Aqara FP2 presence sensor) ensure you can navigate without needing a flashlight, and then they turn off as soon as you leave an area. Normally, this is a bad thing, but when you are trying not to wake your spouse, it is a good thing. My wife, however, was not thrilled with one corner of the kitchen that had a mind of its own. Picture this: you’re tiptoeing to get a glass of water, and suddenly, bam! The lights flicker on and off like a disco because you’ve momentarily vanished from the presence sensor’s view. Let’s just say the SAF on that particular automation was hovering dangerously close to zero. I’m still working on a solution.
Then there’s the master bathroom. My automations worked flawlessly… for me. But my wife? She found herself showering in the dark more often than not. Turns out, my meticulously crafted motion timeouts weren’t accounting for, shall we say, extended shower routines. The solution? A strategically placed humidity sensor that now keeps the lights on as long as the shower’s running. The SAF for that one went from absolutely not to okay, that’s actually pretty useful.
But it’s not all complaints on her end. She’s a huge fan of the automated blinds. They gracefully adjust throughout the day, blocking the harsh sunlight when needed, and opening up to the views when the light is softer. That automation is definitely in the SAF Hall of Fame.
The Moral of the Story:
Building a smart home that everyone loves takes time, patience, and a willingness to compromise. It involves:
- Communication: Talk to your spouse (or anyone else who shares your home) about their needs and preferences. What annoys them? What would they actually find helpful?
- Iteration: Don’t expect to get every automation perfect on the first try. Be prepared to tweak, adjust, and sometimes completely rethink your approach. This often takes time.
- Prioritization: Focus on the automations that will have the biggest positive impact on your household’s daily life. Win those SAF points early and often!
- Humor: Most importantly, keep a sense of humor! Things will go wrong. Lights will turn on at unexpected times. Embrace the occasional smart home hiccup and laugh about it together.
What about you?
What smart home automations have earned high (or low) marks from your significant other? Any funny stories about spousal resistance or automation fails? Share your experiences and tips for maximizing the Spousal Approval Factor in the comments below!