Does Automation Save Time?

Published on April 18, 2025

by Alex Keeps

Smart home automation promises to make life easier, but some people question whether it actually saves time—or just adds more things to manage. It’s a fair concern: when technology is involved, there’s always a learning curve. But automation, when used correctly, is one of the best ways to free up your day.

This article breaks down common myths about automation’s time-saving potential, showing how smart routines and connected devices can make your daily tasks faster and smoother.

Myth #1: Automation Takes Longer to Set Up Than It Saves

One myth is that setting up routines and automations is so time-consuming that you don’t actually come out ahead. This assumption overlooks how simple modern automation platforms have become—and how often a one-time setup can save hours over time.

Apps like Google Home, Alexa, and SmartThings now offer quick-start templates, pre-set routines, and step-by-step wizards. In many cases, it takes less than five minutes to automate a daily task like turning on lights or starting a coffee maker.

Here’s where setup effort really pays off:

Automating lights removes dozens of switches daily
Smart thermostats adjust without constant tweaking
Coffee makers or air purifiers run on schedules
Morning and bedtime routines sync multiple actions
Sensors eliminate repetitive commands or checks
You configure once and benefit endlessly

Myth #2: Manual Control Is Just as Fast

It’s tempting to think, “Why automate? I can flip a switch or press a button just as quickly.” While that might be true for a single light or one task, it doesn’t scale across a full day or household.

Smart home automation shines when managing multiple tasks at once. Turning off all the lights at night, locking doors, and lowering the thermostat can be done with one command or on a timer—saving you minutes every day.

Automation scales your actions like this:

One command handles five or more devices at once
Schedules eliminate repeated morning and evening tasks
Automation can occur when you’re not even home
Voice control replaces reaching for multiple remotes
Reminders and alerts prevent wasted time or returns

Myth #3: You’ll Spend More Time Troubleshooting

Some users worry that smart automation will lead to constant errors or technical headaches—eating up any time they hoped to save.

While early systems were clunky, modern platforms are designed for stability and ease of use. Most issues are rare and easy to fix through app updates or re-pairing. And the time you save over weeks and months far outweighs the rare glitch.

Today’s automation is built to stay out of your way:

Routines run silently in the background
Mobile apps notify you only when needed
System updates improve reliability automatically
Support forums and customer service are easily accessible
Devices are smarter at self-correcting errors than ever before

Common Mistakes

Here are some ways people lose time instead of saving it:

Creating overly complex automations
Failing to test routines before relying on them
Choosing devices that don’t integrate easily
Neglecting firmware or app updates

Advice for Beginners

Here’s how to start saving time from day one:

Automate a morning or bedtime routine first
Use voice assistants to control multiple devices together
Start with lighting or climate—big impact, low effort
Choose platforms with wide device compatibility

Expert Tips

These tips help experienced users get even more out of their automations:

Use location-based triggers (geofencing) to auto-start routines
Create grouped routines for different moods or time blocks
Monitor automation history to fine-tune timing and success
Turn off notifications you don’t need to reduce distractions

Takeaway

Automation isn’t just a cool feature—it’s a real time-saver when done right. By replacing small repetitive tasks with smart routines, you can reclaim minutes (and eventually hours) of your day. Start simple, keep it efficient, and let the time savings stack up.