Although we are still a long way from flying cars, our homes are getting smarter every year. From lights that we can control with our voice to speakers that will play music with a verbal command, there are all sorts of ways we can add intelligence to our home. While some smart home innovations make sense, there are others that may seem more gratuitous, and the smart faucet may seem like one of them.
What is a smart faucet?
Simply put, a smart faucet connects to Wi-Fi to enable voice control or remote control of water flow in the kitchen. Paired with a companion app for easy setup and usually connected to Google or Alexa for voice control, these faucets are more than just smart. We recently reviewed the U by Moen smart faucet. To learn more about how this faucet works and what it can do, read our detailed review.
However, if you’re wondering why you need to talk to your water, you’re not alone.
It seems a bit ridiculous to ask to turn the tap on or off while you are standing right next to it, within arm’s reach in most cases. However, it is perhaps surprising that the smart faucet has many useful applications that you may not have expected.
Let the water come up to temperature
One of the practical things a smart faucet can do is release water at a certain temperature. If you want cold water to drink or water as hot as possible for a cleaning task, you can ask the smart faucet to be specific. Simply saying, “Hey Alexa, ask Moen to turn on hot water” will allow your faucet to bring the water to the hottest available temperature.
Periodic hand washing
In our new germ-conscious age, the importance of hand washing can’t be underestimated, but most of us underestimate how long it takes to actually wash our fingers. If you ask the smart faucet to start its handwashing function, the faucet will turn on so you can get your hands wet, then turn off while you lather up and turn on again at the exact moment you need to finish lathering up for a good rinse. .
Measure water for recipes
One of the best uses for a smart faucet is to get rid of measuring cups. With a quick “OK Google, ask Moen to pour a cup of water,” you can add precise amounts of water to recipes, beverages, and more.
Do you need to fill a large pot with three gallons of water? Put the pot in the sink and ask. When you get to the right amount, the water shuts itself off; No overflow or underfill.
Create simple presets to avoid wasting water
With a smart faucet, you can take your measurements a step further. Some smart faucets, like the U by Moen, will allow you to store measurements of frequently filled items. This is very convenient because, for example, you can put the dog bowl in the sink, say “Alexa, fill the dog bowl” and then walk away without letting excess water run off. Similarly, pre-installed bottles, watering cans, and ice trays will be just as easy and waste-free, especially in dry or drought-prone areas of the country.
What about the price?
Anyone who has bought a new faucet in the past few years knows that it will probably cost more than you bargained for. Kitchen faucets are not cheap, and depending on the style you choose, the specific finish, and whether you want special features like a commercial-grade sprayer, you can pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand.
With that in mind, the smart faucet is somewhere in the middle of that price range. Of course, you pay more for smart tech, and you can upgrade your trim level from a Honda Civic to a Cadillac (or downgrade) if you want.
Another consideration when opting for a smart faucet is that you’ll need a smart speaker, and whether you choose the Google Nest Audio, Hub, or Amazon’s Echo Show 10 or Show 15, you need to be in close proximity to the faucet so you don’t have to shout commands. around the room.
Is a smart faucet worth it?
I have had a U by Moen smart faucet in my house for about a year now. I can definitely tell you that there is a honeymoon phase with him where you will show off your intellilite precision by pouring water and filling the shower to order for your dinner guests.
Today, I rely on it a lot less on a daily basis than I did in the beginning, but it’s still incredibly useful, especially when all my measuring cups are in the dishwasher.
I also use it quite often for multitasking: I put the dog water dish in the sink and fetch water while I’m running the dishwasher, and because I’m always distracted, the water automatically turns off so it doesn’t run forever.
In short, a smart faucet won’t change your life and you won’t be recycling those measuring cups. But for a nominal additional cost compared to a traditional faucet, a smart faucet can be a useful helper in the kitchen.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn