How Does a Home Automation System Work?

How does a home automation system work, and what are the advantages of smart home technology? Convenience. Safety.

Home automation works with climate controls and lighting to help make daily living more convenient. Just so, this allows you to do things that may have been impossible before. The Google Vivint SmartHub brings all of your home security controls together on a single touch-screen dashboard. Google Home keeps you always in control of your Vivint Smart Home security system even if you let go of the reigns. With Google Home, security doesn't have to mean being glued to the TV or computer monitor.

Climate controls and lighting allow smart homes to control the temperature of a room to make it pleasant for everyone in the home. You can adjust the temperature and lighting to suit your needs and the preferences of other people in the household. Through the use of Google Home, you can turn one another on or off as the mood changes throughout the day.

Another smart home technology you'll find in the line of Google products is the use of cameras. Cameras provide smart home security by allowing you to see what's going on in a room remotely. You can access and view the video remotely. Cameras can be placed throughout your house in areas where security might be an issue, including hallways, doorways, basements, and the garage. In addition, there are smart cameras available that can be accessed through a smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer.

With voice recognition, how does a home automation system work? 

With voice recognition, you can let someone in the home control certain features. For instance, you can let someone in the house change the lighting, shut the blinds, or open the door lock. Likewise, you can also let someone in the home control the thermostat or set the temperature. Some smart home devices, such as a smartphone, also allow you to control many of these functions with the same voice.

Now with a two-way talk, how does a home automation system work? Two-way talk provides several benefits to homeowners who need a little convenience while they are away from home. Two-way talk allows you to communicate through various devices, such as a phone or a tablet computer. Through two-way talk, you can also control various security features in the home. Features include operations like turning on and off lights, opening and closing the garage door, controlling the temperature, and playing music. For added convenience, some two-way talk devices allow you to control all of these features through one device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Is there a difference between smart home technology? 

The difference between smart devices is that smart devices can be very sophisticated and smart computers. On the other hand, smartphones are generally considered to be simple mobile computers. Through recent advancements in technology, smartphones now have the ability to act like computers and to function as a substitute for a mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

Today's smart home devices are also much more affordable than they were just a few years ago. Smart lights, smart thermostats, and smart cameras are all available at price points that anyone can afford. Plus, smart home technology provides many additional benefits to the homeowner. For instance, smart lights provide safety features that a traditional light would not, such as having an adjustable shutoff. Furthermore, smart lights help reduce the carbon footprint we all leave behind when we turn on and off our home lights.

Smart Security Systems

One of the best parts about smart home technology is the fact that it allows homeowners to take advantage of new security system features. For instance, you can install motion sensors around your home to alert you to intruders. In addition to turning on lights and using security systems, you can also take the added step of installing smart home security systems. Many security systems today allow homeowners to arm and disarm their homes remotely. This means that even if you aren't home, you'll know if someone has made unauthorized entry into your property.

In addition to smart security systems, you may also want to consider utilizing some of the newest additions to smart home technology: smart security cameras. These cameras have a number of different uses, including surveillance. However, these security cameras can also be used to monitor and record any instances that occur outside your home, such as when a dog goes out without its owner. In addition to being used for security, smart cameras are often used to film the inside of a home. These security cameras, which typically resemble minicams, are perfect for recording footage of everything that happens in and around your home.

By integrating smart home security systems with surveillance cameras, you can make your home even more secure. With one program, you can turn on lights and security features while you're away. When you get home, you can have the ability to turn the security features on and watch the footage from your computer. This is a smart way to make sure that your home is always protected.

How to Find the Best Automated Electrical Switches For the Home

Now that you know how a home automation system works, you are more than likely beginning to ponder where to find the best automated electrical switches for the home. It can be quite tricky since you would need to find a product that would work well both inside and out. Your needs depend upon your lifestyle as well as the purpose of your home. If you want automation in your home, you have several products that you might consider. Continue to read to learn more about these popular choices.

Wireless Light Switch

The first product is the wireless light switch. This type of switch works with a major wireless network. If you live in an area that has no reliable cable or wireless network, then you might opt to use this switch. Most of these switches have their own backup system, so you don't have to worry about them shutting down unexpectedly.

If you are looking for a wireless light switch, it would be best if you could go for a model that is not reliant on the wires coming from the wall. This is because these lights usually have their own circuitry that needs to be protected from electrical hazards. If they connect to the wires, it could damage the switch itself. Some wireless switch models are even more dependable than others.

Wired Switch

The second option is the conventional wired switch. Most people who opt to install these switches in their homes prefer the wired variety because they are easier to work with. They are also usually installed at the same height as your ceiling, and they allow you to control them from above. These switches are known to be quite efficient when it comes to controlling lights.

Voltage Sensor Switch

A third option is the voltage sensor switch. Like the wired variety, these switches work with Alexa. They do not need wires to connect them to the electricity mains. Instead, the switch works by detecting the amount of voltage at the wall socket. When this amount exceeds a certain limit, the switch will automatically turn off.

Advantages of Automated Electrical Switches

There are four advantages to using these switches. The best thing is that they do not require much effort when it comes to turning the light switch on or off. The fact that they only need a small space to install them means that you will not have to deal with tight spaces. If you want to learn how to install the best automated electrical switches for the home, then the only thing you need to know is how to read instructions.

Another advantage is the fact that they offer good safety. Your electric switch will never let you down when it comes to safety. It will protect you from the risk of electricity poisoning, as well as, preventing you from having to deal with dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning. It simply means that you will always stay away from any potential danger.

The best electric switch for the home should also come with a long guarantee. This guarantee will ensure that you get your money back if your switch fails to work properly. In addition, there should be a warranty period of at least one year. This warranty will ensure that you do not have to spend money repairing the switch again.

Remember that in most instances, your switch will be connected to a circuit. Therefore, it will also need to have circuits that are wired. You should not choose a switch that has no way of securing electricity to the circuits inside your house. Otherwise, it will just cause a lot of trouble later on.

When looking for the best automated electrical switches for the home, you should ensure that they are compatible with the current wiring system in your home. It would be a big mistake to buy a switch that will not work with the electricity system that you have in place now. This will not only waste energy, but you could face a serious safety risk as well. Therefore, it is essential that you make sure that the switch you buy is completely compatible with the home's current wiring system. There are various things to check, such as the amperage limit and the maximum allowable current. Before you purchase the switch, you should also take note of its installation requirements and other safety precautions.

As you can see, finding the best automated electrical switches for the home can be quite difficult. This is why it is always a good idea to consult with a home automation expert so that you will have an idea about the different options available in the market. He can tell you about what type of switch works best for your home, what factors to consider when purchasing them, and what safety precautions to take. Before you purchase one, you should also do a little research about it so that you can be sure that it won't cause any damage to your home in the future. However, once you buy one, you will find that it is one of the most convenient devices you can buy for your home. Therefore, don't forget about it and make sure that you get the best one today.

5 Ways to Feel Safer if You Live Alone

Home safety is a fundamental part of self-defense and protection, no matter if you’re a homeowner or a renter. This is especially true for people who live alone.

While living alone can cause loneliness, as has been felt by many solo folks during the time of COVID-19, it can also lead to bouts of anxiety, where a person becomes worried that they may be more susceptible to a break-in and crime. 

This anxiety is understandable, especially if you hear the random bump in the night while living by yourself, but it doesn’t have to be justified. A few simple tips can help you feel safer while living alone. Here are five of our favorite ways to help you feel safer in your space. 

1. Install a home security system.

One of the best things you can consider doing once moving into a new place by yourself is to install a security system. For some individuals, this might involve installing a thorough alarm system that is interconnected throughout your residence, becoming triggered anytime the system is tripped by a door or window that is opened unexpectedly. 

For others, this can involve simple measures of protection, such as a door stop wedge. Placed behind your door once you are inside of your residence, this device is intended to stop a door from fully opening, even if its lock is picked or the door is kicked in. Moreover, most of these devices come with an installed alarm, meaning you’ll be alerted if a person attempts to break into your home whether you’re asleep or working with headphones on. 

Whatever system you choose to rely on, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Home security systems can become expensive quickly. Rather than spending a lot, take the time to do your research until you find a product that meets your needs. 

2. Get a doorbell camera.

Doorbell cameras have made it easier than ever to feel comfortable within your home. Placed beside your front door, they make it easy to record the people coming and going from your residence throughout the day and late at night.

Uninvited guest knocking on your door? Check your doorbell camera through an app on your smartphone to determine if it’s someone you know. If it’s not, and they seem rather sketchy, you can make an informed decision to call the police for assistance. 

Noticed that packages are regularly going missing from your front door and worried that someone might be casing your house at the same time? Use your doorbell camera to identify the suspect and capture footage of them. This can be sent off to the police, who can work to identify and arrest the person for you, helping you know that risk is no longer an issue. 

3. Keep your lights on both while you’re out and at home.

A simple way to improve your feeling of safety whether at home or away is by keeping the lights on. Some studies have shown that the presence of nighttime lighting can deter criminals. Part of the reason is that lighting removes the cloak of darkness, meaning it can be easier for witnesses to identify their activities; moreover, lighting within houses might mean that a family is at home. This act of mimicry can work to your advantage, causing intruders to move past your residence from the worry of being caught in the act. 

If you want to take it a step further, you can employ modern advancements such as motion-detecting lights and smart home lighting systems. The former, when used on the outside of your residence, can help you identify any unwanted criminals as they approach your house at night, in the hope they will be scared off by the sudden flash of light. 

Similarly, smart home lights—controlled by your smartphone or a tablet—can let you control your home lighting system even while you’re not there, letting you turn on lights at night to make it appear as if someone is home and awake. 

4. Become acquainted with your neighbors.

Beyond being a nice neighbor out of civility, you should consider becoming acquainted with your neighbors for your own personal safety. We, as humans, don’t like getting involved in the business of others, thinking that someone else will take care of whatever is going wrong. Your neighbors might do the same if they ever see suspicious activity at your home, especially if they don’t know you very well. 

Get to know your neighbors to improve your line of defense. They’ll become more aware of your regular schedule because of this, such as whether you work during the day or if you have regular visitors. While their interest in your life might be considered nosy, it could work out in your favor, leading them to question and scare off potential intruders. 

5. Know your exit plan.

Living alone means that only you can handle an emergency when it arises. Since no one else will be around to help you exit a dangerous situation, you’ll need to be prepared in the event that one arises. For anyone living alone, this means taking the time to understand how you can exit your home in the event of a dangerous scenario, whether it is a fire, home break-in, or visitation of a stalker. Consider your options ahead of time so you can act out of instinct in the moment, getting away safely and free of harm.

Living alone doesn’t have to involve taking unnecessary risks because there is no one else around. With precaution and preparation, you can effectively safeguard yourself against potential dangers, allowing you to safely live alone. 

7 Home Security Risks You May Have Overlooked

Being a homeowner is no simple task. The responsibilities of homeownership are wide-reaching, requiring a significant amount of attention to detail to ensure that your home is protected at all times. 

But beyond basic home maintenance requirements going overlooked, your home may be at risk for another reason altogether: It might be a target for criminals. 

There are a number of ways your home could be at risk for break-ins and theft. What do these risks look like? Here are seven security risks you may have overlooked as a homeowner, and that should be remediated immediately. 

1. Hiding your keys in stereotypical places.

Do you have a spare set of house keys hidden somewhere around your property? Most people do. It’s a simple way to access your home in the event that you misplace your main house key. But are you the type of person who hides your key in a place that many other homeowners rely on?

For instance, is your spare key hidden behind that one big, unique rock in the garden? Is it hidden under your welcome mat? Is it placed beneath the strange-looking garden gnome by your front steps? These are all places that criminals know to look for—too many people rely on them, and they’ve become common knowledge for that very reason. 

Key hiders remove this issue, though, as they allow you to hide items in spots that don’t seem obvious at all. Now you can keep a set of spare keys around without their hiding spot garnering the attention of an unwanted intruder.

2. Not having a security camera by your front door. 

Hidden outdoor security cameras go a long way toward protecting your home. A security camera placed by the main entrances of your home—front door, rear sliding door, garage entrance—can be enough to deter a criminal. The reason is that when in plain sight, they’ll be noticed by someone attempting to case your home. The sight of a camera is an immediate deterrence, as it alerts them that they will be caught on camera if they attempt to do anything illegal, thus protecting you against a potential break-in.  

3. Not having enough outdoor lighting.

Similar to having cameras placed on the outside of your home, pointed at entrances, criminals are deterred by the possibility of being seen—there’s a reason most crimes take place at night! To deter crimes from taking place, you should install outdoor lighting around your property, particularly around entrances of your home and property. This can include the end of your driveway, over your front door, and across your back porch.

Motion-activated lights are the best option when considering your choices, as they can conserve energy by not being on all night, only being activated when a person’s movements are captured in their field of view. The second those lights come on, a criminal is sure to be set running for the hills. 

4. Keeping in-home valuables out in the open.

One of the biggest security risks you can do is bring attention to your home. One way that many people do this is by having their most valuable possessions out on display for others to see. This can include jewelry, paintings, heirlooms, silverware, and more. Anyone casing your home is going to look for these possessions when peering through your windows, determining whether your house is worth robbing or not. 

Utilize secret hiding places to protect your most valuable items, whether from day-to-day or for when you go on vacation. While you won’t be able to hide larger items, such as a television, you can protect the items that matter most by storing them away inside of an in-home safe or an unexpected hiding spot. 

5. Posting your address and life activities online. 

Like the above, you don’t want to bring attention to your home. While it might feel tempting to post photos of your house from time to time, especially when you decorate your home for the holidays, you might be doxing yourself—allowing strangers to identify where you live. 

This, alone, is bad enough, as they can begin following your life to determine when you are and aren’t at home. For instance, if you’ve already doxed your location, you’re in trouble if you begin posting Instagram photos of you and your family away on vacation. This is an immediate signal that your home is open for a potential break-in and major theft. 

Avoid sharing too much information online. It could protect you in the end. 

6. Letting your mail pile up while you’re away. 

Like letting the internet know that you’re going away for vacation, there are other simple tips that can let a potential burglar know that you’re away from home. One of the simplest ones is allowing your mail to pile up in your house’s mailbox. An overflowing mailbox will be a sign that a family is away from home, likely on a vacation, leaving their house entirely vulnerable. 

To avoid this, either contact the post office and ask them to suspend delivery service while you’re away or simply ask a friend or trusted neighbor to collect your mail for you every day. This simple task can help deter criminals from targeting your home while you’re away.
7. Not having a home security system.

No modern home should be without an alarm system. They’re affordable enough nowadays that anyone can implement a form of home security. Best of all, top-rated home security systems aren’t as expensive as they once were, meaning you can arm and protect your home without breaking the bank. Consider exploring the numerous options available to find the type of security that works best for your home. 

If you recognized one of these risks to your home, you should take the time to fix it. Protect your home before it’s too late. The safety of your family and your wallet are at stake. 

Guest Post - Tips for Keeping Your Home Secure This Christmas

During the Christmas season, you surely don’t want to deal with any situation like Kevin McCallister faced in “Home Alone.” While it’s highly unlikely you’ll accidentally leave a kid at home who must secure it from two con men, you still want to employ some tactics to ensure safety this holiday. 

Here are some tips for keeping your home secure this Christmas, and these are a bit more practical than attaching an iron to a lightbulb pull-string.

1. Don’t Tell the Internet Your Travel Plans

The No. 1 mistake people make if traveling during the holidays is putting travel plans on social media. Although you may want to let everyone know you’re going to be spending Christmas at the beach, the information can spread to unwanted visitors. You don’t want to come home to a robbed house. 

Even if you keep your social media pages private and secure, people still find a way to access that information. Have a trusted friend or neighbor watch your house if you travel. Be sure to keep your plans to yourself, and make sure you follow COVID travel rules so you can stay safe and healthy. 

2. Inspect Your Christmas Lights

A leading cause of house fires around Christmastime is faulty lights. Before stringing your holiday lights both inside and outside your home, check the wires and bulbs. Replace anything that’s broken and throw away any wires that have frays in them.

Additionally, turn off your lights for bedtime and if you won’t be home for a few hours. 

3. Lock Your Doors

This should be a rule for any time of the year, but break-ins increase during the holiday season, so be extra cautious about locking your doors. Deadbolt locks are better for preventing break-ins than just a regular door lock. 

Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, you never know when something might happen. In addition to locking your doors, make it look like someone is home at all times to ward off intruders.

4. Check Smoke Alarms

A fire, some candles and the lights on your Christmas tree make it a cozy time of the year. However, if the flames are near any dry material, things could turn deadly fast.

Ensure all your smoke alarms work. If needed, replace the batteries. 

5. Stow Packages and Gifts

Make sure you hide any packages or gifts that come to your doorstep. Since it is the season of giving, you’re likely purchasing items online, or people send gifts to your doorstep. Thieves have an easier time grabbing things off your porch around Christmastime because there is more to take. The holidays are a prime time for stolen packages. 

To prevent anything from being stolen or to catch the thief, install a security camera on your door. Additionally, you can leave special instructions to the delivery person so they can place the package in a more hidden area.

Have a Safe and Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal!

Although Kevin did a great job at protecting his home during the holidays, you can take preventive measures to keep your home secure in more practical ways. 

Be safe. Be cautious. Be merry.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.