Before we tell you how to integrate smart home automation with your security system, let’s discuss why you would want to in the first place.
It’s actually a classic case of the whole being more than the sum of the parts. Let us explain what we mean by that …
Smart home devices are great on their own. They make our lives easier and can even save us money and energy. But when they are linked up and integrated with your home security system, they give an even greater benefit.
Smart devices can make your security system smart, too. Which gives you an even greater ability to keep your family, home, and property safe and protected.
Some of the smart home devices that can be integrated with your security system include:
- Smart cameras
- Smart doorbell cameras
- Smart lights
- Smart outlets
- Smart smoke detectors
- Smart thermostats
- Smart locks
- Smart garage door openers
- Smart sprinkler controllers
Each of these devices can be programmed to turn on or off when triggered by a security system event. And having just one app to control all your smart devices is convenient and time-saving as well.
How to Integrate Smart Home Automation with Your Security System
Smart cameras and smart doorbell cameras are perhaps the most common devices that are integrated with your home security system. For example, they can be programmed to start recording when motion is detected or when they get another signal of a break in from the security system.
Smart lights can be programmed to all turn on when the security system is triggered. If someone is trying to break into your home and all the lights go on, they may be deterred and decide to leave.
Similarly, smart outlets can be programmed to turn on when the security system is triggered. If TVs or whole home sound systems are plugged into those outlets, they’ll all come on at the same time, making noise in addition to whatever audio alarm your security system may have.
Additionally, with both the lights and the TVs and sound systems coming on, any family member in the home at the time is alerted to the security breach. This allows them to get to a safe place and call law enforcement for help.
Smart smoke detectors can be integrated with your security system to notify your central monitoring station that something is wrong. And they can then notify the fire department to hopefully contain the fire before you suffer a larger loss.
Smart thermostats and smart locks can be programmed to be activated at the same time as you activate your security system. For example, when you activate your security system for the night, your thermostat can automatically lower the temperature it’s set at, and smart locks can make sure all your doors are locked and secure.
Smart garage door openers allow you to open and close your garage door from anywhere. Like the automation with smart locks, if integrated with your security system, you can make sure your garage door is closed and secure when you set your security system for the night.
Integrating smart sprinkler controllers to your security system … and having the sprinklers all start spraying water when the security system is triggered by an attempted break in … is another way to deter thieves and get them to leave your property.
We’re Here to Help
What we’ve covered here are the very basics of how to integrate smart home automation with your security system. The possibilities of what you can do with modern smart technology are endless, but not always things the average homeowner would think of on their own.
That’s why it’s a good idea to work with home security professionals who integrate these systems every day. It’s their job to keep up with the current best practices to use smart home devices to make security systems even more effective and efficient.
Hoffman Security can help. Call us at (559) 292-7871 or (209) 384-3305. Or you can contact us using our online form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.