Smart home technology is a great way to make your home safer. It can be controlled through an app and offers constant connectivity.
But, it’s important to consider security and privacy concerns before you start using these devices. They’re connected to your network and can be vulnerable to hacking.
1. Install a Security System
If you want to make your home safer, installing a security system may be one of the smart ways to boost it. These devices can protect you and your family from break-ins, fires, environmental disasters, and more. They also allow you to communicate with the authorities in case of emergencies.
While they can be very expensive, they provide peace of mind that your home and family are safe. They also keep your children, pets, and elderly relatives protected.
In addition, a good security system will alert you to any intruders and help you protect your property from theft. It will also help you to monitor your home for any potential emergencies such as fire, carbon monoxide, and water leaks.
Installing a security system can also help you to keep your home safe while you are away. Many systems are capable of sending you notifications by email or text message whenever an intruder tries to enter your home.
Some security systems also feature cameras, either inside your house or outside. These cameras can be used to record video footage of intruders or events occurring in your home, which you can then review later.
You can also use the video recordings as proof of your claims if you ever file an insurance claim for damage to your property. In addition, you can also use the videos to demonstrate that your security systems are working properly and preventing burglaries.
Most home security systems include a professional monitoring service that can respond to alarms that are triggered as a result of fire, carbon monoxide leaks, significant temperature fluctuations, intruders, or other issues. These services work 24 hours a day and are staffed by trained professionals who know how to react in emergency situations.
2. Install a Smart Door Lock
A smart lock offers a variety of options for locking and unlocking the door, including the ability to control it via a smartphone app or a physical key. Many also accept voice commands or work with a smart speaker.
The first step is to select a smart door lock that will fit over the existing deadbolt on your home or business. You’ll want to choose a model that includes a mounting plate and the necessary adaptor. For example, August Smart Locks fit over an interior deadbolt and work with existing keys.
Next, you’ll need to run wire from the front assembly of your smart lock into the interior pieces that are mounted on the sides of your door. Most locks include a plastic or metal plate on the inside of the lock that allows you to run the wiring through it.
Once you have the wire in place, you can attach your new smart lock to the interior piece with two long screws. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging for installation.
Depending on your specific smart lock, you might have to re-secure the battery compartment cover once you’ve installed it. This will ensure that the batteries are securely in place and allow the lock to test its connection with your Wi-Fi network.
Besides offering a range of security features, smart locks are also a great way to automate your home. Some can even link with other devices, such as video doorbells, to give you full access to who’s at your doorstep before you open the door.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat learns your habits and preferences over time, adjusting energy use to match your schedule. Some also have movement sensors that detect when you are active in different rooms and adjust energy use accordingly.
A good smart thermostat should be able to cut your energy bill by at least 8 percent on average, even in homes that are occupied most of the day. This is particularly true in homes that are located in temperate climates, where electrical rates are typically lower.
It should be able to cut your energy bill even more in places where extreme weather conditions occur, like hot summers and cold winters. However, you’ll need to be diligent in using your smart thermostat and monitoring your energy usage regularly to reap the full benefit.
Most smart thermostats include a free companion smartphone app that allows you to monitor your home’s energy usage and adjust the temperature with your phone or tablet. Some even let you issue voice commands to the device.
In most cases, you can install a smart thermostat in less than an hour without any special tools or equipment. First, make sure your home’s HVAC system is compatible with a smart thermostat you choose.
Next, remove the faceplate and wiring from your old thermostat. This can be done with a screwdriver, but you may need to back out small screws or press down on tabs to loosen the wires.
You should then be able to connect the wires from your new thermostat to the old one. This is a bit trickier than it sounds, but most low-voltage thermostat wiring is labeled and color-coded so that you can easily identify the correct wires.
4. Install a Smart Lighting System
Smart lights are a great way to boost your home’s security. They can deter burglars by switching on when they detect motion and turn off if no one is in the house. They can also be used to change the color and brightness of your lighting to make it appear as though someone is at home, thereby making it harder for intruders to get in.
Smart lighting systems can be integrated with other smart home technologies like thermostats, shades and security cameras to make your home more secure. They can also be controlled remotely via apps and voice-activated personal assistants.
A smart lighting system is made up of a series of light bulbs and strips that are connected to a hub. These lights can be used to illuminate your home, change colors, and set schedules.
Rather than using traditional lighting switches, smart lights are controlled through mobile apps or voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. This makes them easy to use and gives you control from anywhere, whether you’re at home or away.
You can also connect your smart lights to a timer that allows them to switch on and off at different times throughout the day. This can be useful if you’re going to be out of the house for a while, or if you want the lights to turn on when you arrive at work in the morning.
You can also program your smart lighting to power on when a motion sensor or connected fire detector is activated, which will make it difficult for intruders to hide or access your property. This can be especially useful if you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time, or if you have a family that spends a lot of time in the yard or garden.
5. Install a Smart Alarm
With a smart alarm system, you can control your home security from your smartphone. This means you can set it up when you’re away from home and get notifications if any of your sensors are triggered.
You can also connect a smart alarm to other devices in your home, such as a security camera or light switch, and have them do something automatically when your alarm goes off. This can be useful for making sure you’re alerted to a burglary or other break-in in your property, and to ensure that you can contact the police in case of a real emergency.
Many of the more advanced systems use cloud technology to store data and process it. It’s important to know whether this means that the information that you upload can be accessed by third parties, and if so, what that could mean for your privacy.
Most modern smart alarms are designed to continue to protect your home even when your internet connection is down. In this situation, you’ll still be able to receive trespasser alerts and phone calls from the monitoring service, but your alarm will remain on standby until it can connect back to the internet again.
You can also choose to install a panic button near your door or in bedrooms, which makes it easier for family members to report a forced entry or medical emergency if you’re not home. This can be especially helpful if your home is connected to a monitoring service, as the police will respond to these alerts much faster. The key is to find a system that is easy to use and that will give you the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your home’s security.
