Are smart appliances worth paying more for

Paying extra for a connected machine makes sense only if your utility company charges less for electricity at night or you regularly forget to close the refrigerator. The extra money buys convenience and tracking. Those features can stop working before the physical machine wears out.

What makes an appliance smart

A machine earns the smart label when it connects to your home network and talks to a phone. The physical hardware is mostly identical to a standard model. A connected washing machine often has the same drum, motor and water pump as the base version. The difference is usually a wifi module and the software that runs it.

That antenna lets the machine send data to a remote server. You install an app on your phone and create an account. The app pulls information from the server to show you what the machine is doing. You can then send commands back through the server to the machine to change settings or start a cycle.

A standard stove often uses mechanical dials, while a connected version may add a touchscreen and a digital controller. The core heating elements can stay the same.

Many machines have bright digital touch screens. A digital screen does not automatically mean the machine connects to the internet. True connected models require a home network to function fully.

Setting up the connection usually requires a few basic items.

• A phone with the manufacturer app installed
• Your home network name and password
• A strong wireless signal in the room where the machine sits

The app usually walks you through linking the specific machine to your personal account, so follow its steps. The machine then joins your network and begins sending data.

Features people actually use

Most buyers only end up using a few connected features regularly. The novelty of checking your washing machine status from the grocery store wears off fast. The practical benefits usually involve saving time or preventing minor disasters in the home.

One very useful feature is basic notification. Energy Star says connected refrigerators can send an alert if the door is left open. This simple push notification can help prevent spoiled food.

An alert can also help you catch an open door sooner.

Remote control makes a difference for cooling devices. Energy Star says a connected room air conditioner can be turned off remotely from a smartphone. You can leave for a trip and check your phone to confirm you turned the unit off.

Some models may also let you turn the unit back on before you return home, which can cool the room without running it all afternoon.

Other features include maintenance reminders. Some connected machines send reminders to clean a filter or run a self-cleaning cycle.

Some washing machines hold a large tank of liquid detergent and dispense the right amount for each load. The app may track the tank level and send an alert when it gets low. You avoid starting a load of laundry only to realize the soap is gone.

Running cycles when electricity rates are lowest

One financial reason to buy a connected machine is to save money on power. Some utility companies use time of day pricing, and the cheap hours vary, so check your rate plan for when yours are lowest.

Moving heavy power use to the cheap hours can cut your monthly bill. Energy Star says you can schedule laundry or a dishwasher to run when your electricity rates are lowest.

You load the dishes after dinner and add the soap. You then use the app to tell the machine to start during your cheapest hours. The dishes are clean by morning and you may pay a lower rate for the power.

You can delay cycles on many standard machines using a physical button. The connected version makes the process easier. The app shows you exactly when the cycle will end.

The machine sits idle with the soap loaded until the timer triggers. The water valves then open and the cycle begins just as it would if you pressed the button yourself.

This scheduling works best for machines that run independently. Check the manual before running any machine while you sleep or are away, and be especially careful with ovens and other heat producing appliances.

The savings can add up if your utility has a large gap between peak and off-peak prices, so check its rate plan before you pay extra for scheduling.

What happens when the app or wifi goes away

Your home network will occasionally drop its connection. A connected machine can usually still be used with its physical controls during an outage, though models differ. You can still press the physical start button on a dishwasher. You just lose the ability to start it from your phone.

You can often diagnose connection issues by testing other devices in the house. Finding out why your wifi is slow often starts with restarting your main router. The machine should usually reconnect once the network returns, though some models need setup again.

The bigger problem happens when the manufacturer stops supporting the software. Building and maintaining a phone app costs money. Running the servers that pass messages between your phone and the machine also costs money. Companies can shut these services down for older models, so check how long the maker promises support before you buy.

Appliances can last many years, and the software behind their connected features may not last as long. When the servers turn off, the app stops working. The machine then falls back to its standard functions.

Companies sometimes update their main phone app and drop compatibility for older machines. You might buy a new phone and find you can no longer download the old version of the app. The machine is completely fine, but the bridge to your phone is gone.

Security and software updates on connected appliances

Anything connected to your home network adds some security risk, because it runs software that may have flaws. A compromised device could be used to reach other devices in your house.

Manufacturers often issue software updates to fix security flaws. Many machines download updates over your network, though how long a maker provides them varies, so check before you buy.

You can protect your account by turning on extra security settings. Learning how two factor authentication works helps keep strangers out of your manufacturer account. It adds a second step, such as a code from your phone, when you log in, if the maker offers it.

Security updates can eventually stop for older models. An older machine may then stay on your network with unpatched flaws. You may want to disconnect it from your wifi to keep your network more secure.

Some machines may be hard to disconnect and might flash an error light until they can reach the server. You can often block the machine in your router settings. That means logging into your router and finding the machine on the device list.

When a regular model is the better buy

A standard appliance is often the smarter purchase. You get the same primary function without paying for software you might not use. A basic machine can also be easier and cheaper to repair, though that varies by model.

Connected machines add electronics that can fail, and a repair may mean replacing a control board. Ask for a repair quote before you decide whether fixing one is worth it.

Standard machines often rely on simpler switches and timers, which may be cheaper to replace. Ask the maker how long it stocks parts for the model you are considering.

A repair shop can often fix a mechanical dial, but it cannot fix a broken phone app.

You can often add simple connected features to standard machines yourself. Knowing what you can safely plug into a smart outlet gives you basic remote control over simple devices. Some simple devices can work with a connected plug, but check the outlet's rating and the device manual first. That can give you remote shutoff without buying an expensive machine.

Standard appliances can last many years with basic maintenance, and you might replace a belt or a door gasket along the way. Connected features can become obsolete before the motor gives out.

Buying a regular model keeps your investment focused on cleaning and cooking power.