What should a smart security system look like and how should it be set up to ensure maximum peace of mind for its owners? Honeywell’s Emma Segelov advises.
What should a comprehensive smart security system offer?
Flexible smart security systems offer the ability to extend and customise a system to meet the needs of the household, for example, offering additional door and window sensors, motion detectors and cameras. This means that a comprehensive network can be created to cover every inch of the home and ensure that the alarm is activated instantly if someone enters the property.
Most alarms come with the option of both internal and external sirens to provide the maximum deterrent, but some are also able to relay this information back to a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) so that the homeowner can be notified immediately, no matter where in the world they are.
Being flexible and expandable, these systems can be set up to suit a wide range of property sizes and designs, enabling the installer to create a security system that works for each individual homeowner.
Further to this, these products can now work with other devices around the home – such as the heating system – allowing homeowners to automatically lower the temperature when they arm the alarm and leave the property, and raise it when they return.
What should installers consider when fitting a smart security system?
Smart security systems should be relatively easy to install (often wireless), meaning no damage to décor or the need to run wires between devices. A key consideration for installers to make is in the positioning of the cameras and sensors. These must be flexible enough to ensure that the right areas of the property can be fully monitored, such as any rooms that are away from the street and are often a prime target.
Apart from peace of mind, what do users want from a smart security system?
The main priority for homeowners is having a system that’s easy to use for all family members residing at the property.
Therefore, when installing a smart security system, it’s worth considering a variety of control methods, such as simple key fobs for children and remote panic buttons for elderly residents.
Of increasing importance is the option for the system to be controlled remotely through a mobile App. People have got used to having 24/7 access to a host of services through their mobile devices, and homeowners now want to capitalise on this to ensure their possessions are safe while they’re away from the property, as well as being able to identify the status of all devices at any time.
What else should be accounted for when installing a smart security system?
Each element of the system should be able to eliminate false triggering, for example, filtering out low levels of motion to ensure that pets cannot falsely trigger the alarm.
The system itself should be able to communicate across the home’s broadband network. Where this isn’t possible, such as for remote buildings like garages or holiday homes, the system should use a 3G mobile signal instead to ensure that it remains fully and reliably connected.
The evohome security system from Honeywell provides the complete smart security solution. This modular system can include motion sensors, cameras and interior and exterior alarms and it also has smartphone functionality through the Total Connect Comfort App.
