Smart homes are getting more and more common these days and they are even not that expensive to set up. So, home security appliances are getting compatible with such systems speedily. In this article, we will talk about what you need to do to make your security system work well with your smart home.
The idea of a smart home is becoming a reality thanks to the adoption of new technologies that continue to transform households into digital ecosystems. Ray Bradbury in his 1950 ‘There will come soft rains’ envisioned automated houses that run themselves and continued to function even when no human lived in them. Well, that was called science fiction then but today it is a reality that goes by the name of smart homes.
The concept of a smart home
So, how smart is your home? A smart home is not about the robots housekeepers and devices in ‘The Jetsons’ yet, but it’s about integration of technologies that help families to manage their households with ease while at the same time enhancing their safety, comfort and sustainability. It is about having appliances, gadgets and systems that communicate because they are interconnected. There are many aspects of a smart home including:
- Control and connectivity,
- Security,
- Comfort and lighting,
- Smart appliances,
- Energy management, and
- Home entertainment.
While the control and connectivity segment has received greater penetration according to the number of active households, the biggest revenue is from the security segment which is expected to reach $8,453.6m by the year 2022 from the current $5,513m according to Statista. This shows that people are willing to invest more in the security aspect of their smart homes than the other aspects.
Smart home security
Smart home security technologies are rapidly expanding given the need to reduce privacy and security vulnerabilities of IOT devices by hackers. While the developers continue to implement the highest levels of security on smart devices, the task that is left to you is not only choosing the best security system but also ensuring that you integrate it successfully into your smart home.
Integration and customization give you the ultimate degree of control unlike mere remote monitoring and automation. Integrating your security system means putting your security elements like locks, alarm systems, garage doors, spotlights, security cameras, doorbells, voice controls, motion sensors, alerts and shades among others to communicate and work together in harmony. This can only happen if they are connected and managed from a central location which can either be a mobile device or a panel that is installed into your home or workplace.
Integrating your smart home security system
Integrating smart devices is not as simple as ads will want to make you believe. It starts with purchasing various smart devices which in this case include security devices like wireless CCTV systems, alarm systems, motion sensors and viewers, lighting control and so on.
The technologies that you purchase as well as the coordination features that you choose depend on your preferences as well as lifestyle. In order to coordinate all the technologies, you will need a system processor as well as other automation devices like internet connection system that include routers, WAP, Ethernet cables, gateway and firewall devices.
You will also need a smart hub that will detect and react to specific situations, virtual home assistants like Amazon, Alexa, Google Home and so on.
Important smart home security system features
What makes a home security system smart is the fact that you can customize it to get any settings that you see fit. In order to achieve this, you need a security system that is easy, affordable and professionally supported with the following features:
· Wireless capability
Wireless connection has eliminated the need for complicated wiring networks not only for internet connection but security camera systems as well. You will find that wireless CCTV systems, charging systems, speakers, sensors and wireless connections between homes and the central control devices are some of the smart trends that make smart home security systems possible in the first place. Other wireless features like voice control and two-way audio enable the use of voice commands for secure operations as well as allow you to interact with your home members wherever you may be.
· Smart cameras
Video surveillance plays a very important role in any home security system. The advancements in imaging technology ensures that full color high definition cameras can be embedded in small devices like doorbell or blended well with your home décor. Besides, smart cameras enable continuous recording and playback of essential camera footage with remote controls that allow zooming and panning for a clear view. Good home security cameras are endowed with other important features that include wide angle views, night vision, cloud storage, face recognition, motion detection and voice recognition.
· Automation using mobile apps
Control and connectivity is the main reason for greater penetration of smart homes. The greater automation that is achieved in smart homes security systems is powered by wireless communication and mobile apps. This is why you are able to see what is happening in your home and control it from anywhere with just a smartphone. With a single mobile application, you can adjust your thermostat, turn lights on and off, arm and disarm your security system as well as lock and unlock your doors. Lighting is a very important security feature and it is good that smart lights with Wi-Fi enabled LED bulbs can be switched on and off, dimmed or have their colors changed from anywhere with just a mobile app.
· Smart sensors
A smart home security system cannot be complete without accurate and reliable sensors. Some of the sensors that you can integrate into your smart home security system include temperature and humidity sensors, tamper-sensitive sensors and motion-sensitive sensors. A smart smoke alarm with Wi-Fi connectivity has the ability to send alerts to your smartphone and pinpoint with great accuracy where the fire has broken out within your home. False smoke alarms are common and you can easily silence them when you have an integrated smart smoke sensor into your smart home.
Fitting a security system into your smart home
Identifying a smart security system that will fit the needs of your smart home is more than having smart devices, wireless networks, easy controls with the touch of a button and connecting everything around your home. A fitting smart home security system is the one that is not only convenient but also takes the security of your home to a whole new level. A smart and secure home security system exists in harmony with your smart home devices despite their varied nature.
A smart home is incomplete without an integrated security system in place. Fortunately, this is not about overhauling the devices that you already have in place but how you can use them to protect your home and property.
Change the way you interact with your home by integrating a security system that will not only put you in control but help you stay connected to your household from anywhere. Such a system should work for you all the time, easy to use, accessible remotely, reliable, offer better security and make your smart home smarter and complete. It should bring alive the spirit of a smart home which is to make life safer, smarter and more efficient.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
