Home Security Blog and Resources

Guest Post by Hilary Thompson The promise of smart tech is convenience, but using it can also, over time, save you a lot of money. But between customer reviews, information from companies themselves, and independent evaluations, it can be hard to figure out what smart tech options are most worth it. Promises made by energy-saving tech companies don’t always turn out to be true (for example, check out concerns about SolarCity, which provides home solar systems).  It’s important to figure out not only what types of smart tech devices are best for cost savings, but which models to choose. Every smart home has sensors, but the kind you buy (or don’t buy) will greatly influence the amount of money and energy you save in your home. Check out these seven smart tech choices with specific recommendations for each.   Thermostats A smart thermostat is programmable so you can maximize efficiency with heating and cooling, but what’s more, it may include sensors to adjust the temperature in different areas of the house when they’re not being used. This device will learn your habits and make automatic adjustments. Smart thermostats are a good option for anyone who regularly forgets to turn the heat down at night or isn’t sure they’ve made full use of a regular programmable thermostat.  The Ecobee smart thermostat has emerged as the best you can buy. Rather than only monitoring the temperature in its own location, this device comes with sensors you can place in different areas of your home so the thermostat can efficiently control temperature in all these zones. Following that, Nest is the most reputable option, second to Ecobee only because it offers compatibility with fewer smart home systems than Ecobee does. Also worth considering: Nest studies have found that users save between 10 and 15 percent on heating and cooling costs, while Ecobee claims that their option can save you up to 23 percent on your energy bill.  Light bulbs Another way to reduce the energy bill is with smart light bulbs. These connect via either Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or (less commonly) Bluetooth so you can control lighting from your mobile device, program different lights to turn on or off at certain times, and connect them to sensors so they’ll respond to your movement about the house. Systems that use Zigbee or Wi-Fi are preferable since Bluetooth is less stable.  Philips Hue remains the gold standard of smart lighting systems due to extra features in the app — which include routines, sunrise/sunset automation, geofencing, and a vacation mode — as well as integration with a wide range of smart home systems. More affordable but still reliable options are bulb systems from Sengled or Lifx. Sensors Smart home sensors are a must if you’re setting up a smart home system. They can be used with thermostats and lighting to optimize energy use, but also with security systems. Door/window sensors, for instance, will alert you whenever a door or window is opened. This has a dual purpose of providing security as well as helping you monitor airflow and temperature shifts in the home so you don’t lose precious cool or warm air.  It’s easy to stick a contact sensor almost anywhere — the fridge, a garage door, a cabinet, and so on—for both energy conservation and safety purposes. You can’t go wrong with Samsung sensors — motion and multipurpose.  Sprinklers We sometimes get so focused on energy saving in the home that we forget about another important conservation area: water. If you have a yard or garden, a smart sprinkler will optimize your water use to help reduce your water bill. They’re not the flashiest in smart tech, but they are well worth it. You’ll get the convenience of remote control and scheduling but also a system that will monitor local weather conditions and adjust in real-time. What’s more, a smart sprinkler can provide expert advice based on metrics about exactly how much water your yard needs and what schedule will result in the most absorption and least run-off, which will further reduce water use. The Rachio 3 sprinkler system is widely considered the best option for most people. It offers control over eight zones, integration with many systems, and robust automation abilities. A good runner-up choice for those looking to spend less is the Orbit B-hyve.  Leak detectors Leak detectors, unlike some smart tech on this list, don’t do much to save you money on a monthly basis, but they can help you avoid thousands of dollars in repair bills from water damage. Leak sensors placed in key areas such as under washing machines, water heaters, or the kitchen sink will alert you to a new leak long before you’d find it yourself — and before it leads to a bigger problem.  The Honeywell Water Leak and Freeze Detector is easy to set up, operating directly with your home’s Wi-Fi. In addition to leaks, it will alert you to freezing temperatures and high humidity levels, which can lead to or be signs of a problem in your pipes.  Showerheads A third type of smart home tech that’s a must for conserving water (and reducing your water bill) is a smart shower head. These devices are newer to the market than some other smart tech products, so there’s not a lot of consistency yet in what they each offer. But at a minimum, a smart shower head will monitor the water temperature and pressure to optimize both. Some have a built-in sensor and will pause the flow of water when you step away to lather up.  The Moen U Shower is a good option that offers water temperature and flow regulation through app or voice interaction and lets you set a timer to keep your showers short. A more affordable choice, the WaterHawk, includes a built-in hydroelectric motor, so all its features are powered by the water you’re already using rather than extra electricity. Its display will show you how much water you’re using, nudging you to adjust to reduce.  Automated shades With all the focus on HVAC systems, it’s easy to forget that passive heating and cooling can make a big difference in your energy costs. The best way to optimize this is with smart shades that provide automation and respond to the position of the sun over the course of a day. (And a nifty bonus feature is that they can help you wake up in the morning.) You have a couple of options when it comes to installing smart blinds: buy a new set or retrofit your existing shades. Somfy and Lutron are well-known names in custom smart shade systems. If you have blinds with a chain raise/lower mechanism, look into Soma, which provides a small unit you attach to the chain that can then be controlled from your mobile device or a smart home system.  With all these options (and more we haven’t mentioned), it can be hard to figure out where to start. If you’re setting up an entire smart home system, look for the devices that integrate best with your chosen ecosystem. If you’re not sure where to start with energy-saving products, consider first installing an energy monitor that will give you an overview of where energy is being used in your home and provide conservation tips. As you venture further into the territory of smart tech, you’ll realize there are changes you can make throughout your home to conserve both your cash and natural resources. Home security What many consumers prefer to do with smart home products these days is pair them with a home security system. Most home security companies offer affordable packages that pair top-of-the-line security equipment with home automation products, making your home not only a smarter home but a safer home. Although you can purchase smart home products individually like the products mentioned above, it'll most likely save you money if you purchase them in a bundle with a home security provider, especially if you want more than one smart home product. That way you get more for your money.  Hilary Thompson is a freelance writer, small business owner, and mother of two. She loves to write about everything from business to parenting, sleep disorders, tech, and stress. She geeks out on digital marketing trends, weekend yoga, and will likely correct your grammar if given the chance. Coffee is her friend. 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Guest Post by Dan Matthews For decades, we have imagined an autonomous home of the future — a living space that caters to our daily needs with the minimum of input or effort from its human inhabitants. While we’re not quite in Jetsons' territory just yet, the last several years have seen technology that helps us jump a little closer. Smart homes are becoming a practical reality for many of us.   We can speak directly to devices and expect an intelligent response. Our TV viewing is not dictated to us by a rigid schedule but personalized based on preferences gleaned from data analysis and machine learning. Our gadgetry is connected, communicating with other devices for our convenience. But with these advantages also come concerns. Cybercrime has become a prevalent aspect of our society, to the extent that we must be vigilant about antiviral software and hack-proofing our digital devices As we move into 2020, it’s time to take a look at the current state of smart homes. What aspects we are already embracing, and what is waiting for us just over the temporal horizon. Just how close are we to the sci-fi robotic homescape?   Energy management Some of the most important aspects of current smart home discussions are not necessarily the obvious devices that surround us. Smart home energy strategies are of particular importance. Both in terms of our huge number of electronic items putting pressure on the grid, but also from potential damage to our environment. Thankfully, developers have already begun to tackle this issue by including energy-efficient routines in smart devices. For example, smart washing machines already collect data on the level of dirt in a load and adapt their cycles to provide energy, water, and detergent-efficient cleaning. From an infrastructure standpoint, the government has already begun to recognize the energy consumption problems our smart homes may present. As a result, there are now loans and tax credits available to encourage citizens to adopt energy-efficient measures in their homes. Many of these directly reflect the amount you’ve spent to install energy-saving products and solar or geothermal systems. However, there are limits to which this should be taken into account.  In the near future, it is likely we’ll see energy efficiency being adopted by entire smart communities. A trial neighborhood near Birmingham, Alabama, has 62 homes that are connected by high-performance, energy-efficient smart devices. Each home also helps to generate electricity for the neighborhood through solar cells, and a microgrid provides power to the community based on data received regarding its expected consumption.  The Internet of Things The internet of things (IoT) has become a huge buzz phrase as of late, due to a rise in the development of traditionally static objects which can connect and share information with each other. In effect, the IoT makes up much of the ecosystem of smart homes, ensuring that menial tasks can be undertaken efficiently through automation without much human interference.  While 2020’s average smart home isn’t quite into sci-fi realms, the current state of the IoT is still rather exciting. Robotic vacuum cleaners, like the Roomba, have become a generally affordable item — using smart technology to map the rooms in your home and undertake an automated cleaning schedule. Smart doorbells are becoming popular, recording footage of visitors and sharing the high-definition video to your virtual assistant for you to review before answering the door. Thermostats that learn from your environment, adaptive lighting, and even barbecue grills that regulate cooking are all part of the contemporary IoT.  But where is our collection of connected objects headed? In the short-term, we can expect further smart updates of familiar items — development is already underway for an IoT-compatible intercom system. The number of IoT devices in 2020 will reach around 30 billion, and it is predicted to grow to 75.44 billion worldwide by 2025. On a grander scale, the IoT is believed to be instrumental in the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), collecting the vast amounts of data needed to make machine learning useful in our homes.   Security and cybercrime While most of us enjoy embracing new technology, we have certainly become more wary about security and privacy concerns. As smart devices are integrated into our homes, we must also consider what threats exist and how we can protect ourselves. Cybersecurity is becoming a huge aspect of our digital world, and this must be reflected at home.  The most immediate concern for many of us is whether it’s possible for our smart homes to be hacked by unscrupulous actors. This is particularly important as our use of smart home security systems is on the rise, including automated locking and CCTV. A recent study suggests that manufacturers haven’t been especially proactive in addressing security concerns. Moving forward, it is vital that manufacturers hire IoT security experts and deal with potential issues from the start of development.    Each of us should also be making intelligent choices about smart devices we welcome onto our lives. We must do our due diligence to keep on top of downloading security updates and researching exactly what data is collected by devices and how this is used. Concerns were recently raised regarding the plan for room mapping data collected by Roombas to be sold to other tech companies.  For the majority of us, 2020 is unlikely to be the year that our homes become fully automated. However, there is a rise in consumers implementing elements that will take us closer to technologically immersed living spaces. We are embracing the IoT and paying close attention to the infrastructure that will support our smart ecosystem. However, we must also be careful to address the ongoing security concerns as we progress.  Dan Matthews is a writer with a degree in English from Boise State University. He has extensive experience writing online at the intersection of business, finance, marketing, and culture. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Guest Post by Dan Matthews Roughly one out of every three homes in the United States is using smart technology these days, while half that number use security systems of some sort or another. In other words, smart home tech and security are common but not ubiquitous. As smart systems trend upward in popularity, consumers continue to grapple with the basic question of whether or not they’re worth the time, money, and management skills required to set up and maintain them. Is it worth bothering with smart tech and home security systems? Smart home and home security defined The concept of a “smart home” versus a traditional home is akin to the difference between a smartphone and its predecessor, the flip phone. At its core, a smartphone performs many of the same functions that a flip phone has nearly always done. It can make phone calls, send texts, and tell you the time. However, in addition to those basic abilities, a smartphone connects to the internet and can run numerous applications, which equips it with an impressive array of additional capabilities like checking the weather, measuring distances, watching movies, etc. The same comparison holds for smart homes and their traditional counterparts. While both are homes in their essence (they have roofs, rooms, furniture, etc.), a smart home takes things to the next level. It is equipped with a number of different gadgets that enable it to perform various additional functions on its own or at the remote command of its owner. Typical smart home features include the following: Smart light bulbs that can dim and turn on or off remotely A smart thermostat that can adjust the house temperature on its own An array of smart, energy-efficient appliances Fully integrated smart entertainment systems that can run throughout the home Advanced intercom capabilities In addition to the more functional elements of a typical smart home, there are the added features that come with a smart home security system. This, in essence, “plugs into” your existing smart home setup, providing tools to improve awareness and safety, whether you’re in bed, on the couch, or out of town. The average smart home security system includes things like: Sensors installed in order to detect when doors and windows are opened The use of smart locks for the doors A central smart alarm system or keypad Smart, motion sensor-enabled cameras Smart doorbells with a video camera and microphone While these are the standard features typically found in smart homes and security systems, many other components find their way into some of the more fully automated models. For instance, things like smart faucets, electric-controlled smart blinds and shades, and even smart toilets are becoming the norm. In addition, many wealthy people are customizing their smart homes. Take, for example, Oprah, who has a smart heating system that “melt-plows” her driveway when it snows. Consider Mark Zuckerberg, whose home is operated by his personalized AI system named J.A.R.V.I.S. All of this goes to show that the sky's the limit on the future capabilities of smart home technology. Is a smart home or a home security system worth it? While there’s no blanket answer to the question of whether this technology is worth your investment, here are some of the pros and cons that each homeowner should consider when making the decision: Pros Safety — Keeps your home safer and serving as a deterrent for crime, as well as informing you of any doors and windows being opened. Keeping track of your family — Allows you to observe who’s visiting your home, what time the kids get off the bus, when a package has been dropped off, etc. Monitoring access to risky areas in the home — Enables you to safeguard important items, like gun safes or liquor cabinets. Savings — Generally provides monthly savings on electricity and heating. For instance, LED lightbulbs, which comprise most smart home lighting, have become very affordable and can last as much as 15 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Lower insurance costs — Potentially lowers homeowner’s and renter’s insurance. Increase the sellability of your home — 50 percent of buyers claim that they want a programmable thermostat and a wireless home security system in their new homes. Cons The setup cost — Installing a high-end system can be costly. However, top-rated providers such as Protect America offer affordable security options with a variety of home automation capabilities. Long term costs — Many reputable services charge monthly fees that can cost dozens or even hundreds of dollars per month. This is why you need to carefully determine which security company is right for you, as many providers may overcharge. Check out our top-rated home security companies to find which companies you can trust to give you an affordable price point and quality service. Frequent turnover in new models — Systems can become dated quickly. Batteries — The added cost and hassle of changing out batteries in multiple devices on a regular basis. Time to evaluate your needs Whether you’re a brand new millennial homeowner, a Gen Xer humming along with life, or a baby boomer who has owned your own house for decades, it’s important to take your own specific needs into account when considering a smart home or security system. If you do decide to take the plunge, many different providers are available. The important thing is to map out what you want for your home and then gather quotes from competitors before committing to one specific option. Dan Matthews is a writer with a degree in English from Boise State University. He has extensive experience writing online at the intersection of business, finance, marketing, and culture. You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Home security systems have been around for decades, but home automation has begun to be more commonplace with the introduction of smartphones. With the exception of a few companies, home automation features don't come standard with most home security systems. So with the extra money you'll be paying out of pocket every month, are the extra features really worth it? Allow us to explain what home automation is, what to expect, and if it's really worth it. What is home automation? Before we talk about home automation, we need to lay the foundation for understanding home security systems. If you've already signed a contract for a professionally-monitored home security system, you're paying a monthly fee for features like door and window sensors. Once mounted, these door and window sensors communicate to a central station in your home. From this base station, you can arm or disarm your system. When your system is armed and a door or window opens, the corresponding sensor will send a signal to the base station, triggering an alarm and notifying authorities. Systems can cost as little as $19.99/month and will have basic features like door and window sensors, and may include extras like window stickers and a yard sign. Sometimes, these are enough to deter crooks. While it's nice to have a home that's professionally monitored against burglars, carbon monoxide, and fires, what if you want something that's on the cutting edge of technology? The home of the future probably sounds pretty appealing. This is essentially what home automation is, and luckily, home automation features are more approachable than you think. More and more companies are adopting home automation through tools like smartphones and voice-controlled devices such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home. When you pair your system with one of these tools, it's almost like your home has a built-in super computer. Typically, your home automation system will function off an app that can be installed to your Android, iOS, or Windows device. This way, you can manage all sorts of home features from your phone or tablet even if you're halfway across the world. All you need is internet access. Here are some of the more common features for home automation: Locks — Doors with specially-equipped locks can communicate wirelessly with your smartphone. Lock your doors after you pull in to work if you forgot before you left the house. Thermostat — Adjust your home's temperature from your phone. Sometimes, you can set it to a particular schedule. Lights — Turn lights on and off through your phone. Like the thermostat, this can sometimes be automated. This is particularly useful if you're on vacation and you want your house to look lived in. Cameras — This is extremely common among DIY home security systems, but has become one of the most common home automation features. It's a great tool to keep an eye on your pets. You can even get alerts if a camera senses movement. Garage Doors — Open and close your garage door without a special garage door remote. Appliances — This is rarer, but not unheard of. Imagine preheating the oven before you come home to cook your family's prized chicken recipe before your guests show up. Essentially, your smartphone app, Amazon Echo, or Google Home becomes an automation hub for all of these tools. You can adjust your thermostat, turn lights on and off, monitor security cameras, and more. Depending on the package, you can even set timers and schedules for your thermostat, lights, and other features. Make sure to consult with a professional home security representative from top companies so you know exactly what features you're paying for. How much will it cost? This depends on the provider. With some top companies, it can be as little as $12-22/month extra. With other companies, it can be difficult to say because they won't post the pricing information outright on their website. This may not necessarily be a bad thing, though. When you go directly to a company and ask for a quote based on the needs of your home, they can give you personalized feedback on what package will best suit your needs. But let's grab a number for the sake of comparison. Home automation can cost as much as $144-$288 per year. This is as much as two dozen movie tickets or a month's worth of groceries. For some, that might be just a bit out of their range because they can barely afford the payments on their standalone security system. For others, that's chump change. To be clear, almost every home security company these days will over some basic home automation feature standard. Usually, this is in the form of a smartphone app that can arm and disarm your home security system remotely. But when it comes to features such as remote lights, locks, and garage doors, that's going to vary depending on the provider. Is it worth it for you? By this point, you've probably already answered this question. Is it important to you to have these tools remotely available to you no matter where you are? Is this added peace of mind worth it? If you're still on the fence, here are a few questions you might want to consider: Are you a generally forgetful person when it comes to lights and door locks? Are you trying to save energy? Do you want to impress your friends, family, or neighbors? Do you have enough expendable income to justify the upgrade? If you answered yes to the majority of those, home automation is probably a good option for you. But before you reach for the phone to call your home security company, make sure they have the features you're looking for. Top companies have different home automation packages, so you might find the features you're looking for in a different company. It pays to do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line.