You would think that the ultimate way to secure your home is to get out there, purchase all the advertised security components and gadgets that will interface with your smartphone, and get to installing them. However, it’s not that simple. Your budget will always be a contending factor and your security needs will determine any purchases you make.

You have to assess your most basic security needs and begin building your smart home security foundation from there. The smart home components must be compatible with each other. Most importantly, your wireless router must reach the whole perimeter of your home.

Now you can begin to acquire a few relatively inexpensive components, which will still serve you the same way the high-end products would, and rest comfortably in the knowledge that you can add to them as your needs require on a modest budget.

Here are some simple suggestions for how you can begin to build a smart home security system. You can look up Porch.com for more info.

Lighting

Lighting is usually where most of us start when considering home security. Smart lighting systems can communicate in various ways. Some bulbs will use the Wi-Fi, while others will use your smartphone’s Bluetooth. Shop around to get the smart bulbs that you can programme and control lighting scenes, over an app on your tablet or smartphone.

With ceiling lights, consider switching from dumb light switches to smart switches and dimmers, since a smart bulb will become essentially a dud immediately you switch it off. For stand-alone lamps, there are smart plugs that a smartphone app will easily control.

Speakers

Having a smart speaker that’s interfacing with your other smart components is just so handy and cool. You pick up your phone and say, “lock the windows and draw the curtains” and your smart components do the tasks.

Smart speakers are convenient and you could well use yours as a fundamental communication axis.

Thermostats

Smart thermostats give you energy and costs savings while providing for your comfort. Modern smart thermostats control the heating and cooling in your house, as well as detect your presence in the home. If you mount the thermostats in the rooms that you spend the most time, and not corridors, their sensors will react appropriately.

Home Security Cameras

What you want is good quality, home security cameras to allow you to have an eye on your home. Outdoor cameras catch or deter unwanted intruders, and indoor cameras aid you to monitor everything else. Some smart cameras interface with your lights, doorbell, locks, and intercom. You can interact with visitors while on your beach holiday.

Audio Systems

Smart multi-room audio systems mean you can stream information, or music, to all your various house speakers at one time. You can also choose to isolate a specific smart speaker to receive sound alone conduct a fire drill or issue a call for an evacuation. Your smartphone or tablet can manage this.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors go a step further than the conventional detectors. They will sound an alarm as well as alert your authorized contacts and your smartphone if there is a hazardous situation.

Irrigation and Bathroom Dampness Detection

A smart irrigation system will ensure that your lawn has sufficient water without being wasteful of this resource. A smart irrigation system can be intricate and a custom-built app is the best approach.

Similarly, you wouldn’t want your house taps to drip and leak water. Getting a smart humidity sensor to monitor your home’s dampness levels will allow you to act on the alerts sent to your smartphone. You will stop water wastage, and avoid water damage.

IFTTT

If you are tryingto establish your safe home security, you may want to consider how to get more out of all the home security devices you will install. You want to get the smart security devices working together. IFTTT might be something you consider.

IFTTT stands for “If This Then That”. IFTTT is a free service on the web that allows you to link your components together and issue an instruction to act when a trigger activates. For instance, if gas is leaking, your electricity must switch off at the mains.

You must have linked the gas, smoke, and carbon monoxide sensors with your electricity main switch using IFTTT. When the gas is leaking, then the smart switch at the electricity gauge will disconnect your power, avoid accidental explosions, and alert your fire and gas supply services.

Final Thoughts

We’ve looked at some smart home components that you can install to turn your home into a smart home with enhanced security. Do your security needs assessment and remember to look up the manufacturers’ websites to ascertain that all the components can interface in the manner you need, with each other and your authorized security contacts.

Plus, while we’re on the subject of home improvement, we would also advise you to get a depreciation report and get your tax deductions on time. You can even invest that money into a better-equipped home security system.

Follow this guide in the areas that will best serve you, and you will be confident that your home is secure 24/7.

A Smart Home Security Guide for Beginners