Smart Home Security Systems Play Well with Other Smart Home Devices

The market for home automation devices is rapidly expanding. Lights, locks, thermostats, and a vast array of other devices with wireless technology can now be controlled remotely—on smartphones, tablets, wearables, and other devices—and set on schedules, by remote commands, or by customized programs chosen by their users.

Because increased security is one of the most important priorities for consumers, smart home security systems can serve as an ideal base for all smart home technology. Let’s examine the driving factors of the smart home market and review the ways in which security systems can control various devices, providing safety, convenience, energy efficiency, and more.

According to a report by Strategy Analytics, sales of smart home devices are increasing by over 20% per year, with the desire for interactive security the main market driver in the U.S. Consumer spending on smart home hardware, services, and installation fees is projected to reach $103 billion this year.

MarketsandMarkets reports that nearly two-thirds of Americans see smart home technology as most beneficial for monitoring safety and security. Other major drivers for smart homes in the U.S. are “energy and cost savings, regulatory initiatives by the government, the increasing aging population, and improved comfort and convenience.”

Protection from fires, floods, and other catastrophes is also a priority for many Americans when it comes to purchasing smart home devices. For older individuals and those with disabilities, smart technology can make the difference between independent living and being completely reliant on home care. And then there is the technology’s “wow factor”—many homeowners appreciate the thrill of having the latest and greatest smart home tech and enjoy showing it off to friends and family.

Before going out and purchasing a variety of smart devices, users should consider the overall concept of the smart home system. What do you want your system to do? Will the devices you’re purchasing work together? Can they be controlled using a single app or program, or will you have to utilize a variety of programs to control the devices that make up your smart home system? Obviously, the more well-integrated your system is, the easier it is to control.

Since home security is the top priority for most people who are interested in the technology, it makes sense to base your smart-device ecosystem around a smart home security system. This can provide a central hub and a single app to control all aspects of your home. You will also have the peace of mind of knowing that not only are all the components of your system compatible, but also that vital security sensors and alarms are professionally monitored in an emergency.

Modern, comprehensive home security systems not only provide intrusion detection and video camera surveillance; they also provide fire, carbon monoxide, and flood protection, smart locks, and numerous options for home automation.

This flexibility and integration allows users to control locks, lights, thermostats, small appliances, and much more remotely or by setting schedules and programs. In other words, smart home security systems can make your life simpler as well as safer.

The best home security systems send outbound signals to a professional monitoring service via a 100% cellular connection with built-in Wi-Fi backup, as well as 24-hour battery backup. This means that emergency signals sent to get help cannot be disabled if someone cuts your phone lines or your power goes out.

The devices within the system communicate with the control panel through Z-Wave, a radio frequency wireless-communication protocol. Z-Wave uses less energy than Wi-Fi and it can transmit over a longer distance than Bluetooth, plus it’s strongly encrypted—making intercepted signals virtually impossible to hack. Each smart device transmits and receives Z-Wave through a control panel or “hub,” which is the brains of the alarm system.

Intrusion sensors and security cameras are typical components of a smart home security system. Intrusion sensors include door and window sensors, glass break sensors, and motion sensors. These devices alert you and your monitoring service if your home’s doors or windows are opened unexpectedly, someone throws a rock through your window, or a burglar is trespassing on your property.

With the customizable mobile alerts that are part-and-parcel of smart home security systems, door and window sensors can also be used to alert you if an older parent with memory loss goes outside on their own or a young child opens a cupboard or drawer that they shouldn’t. And garage door tilt sensors enable your security system to send you an alert if your garage door is left open longer than usual, so you’ll never wonder if you forgot to close the door again!

Adding smart security cameras to your home security system allows you to see and hear what’s happening inside and outside your home from your phone or another mobile device, in real-time. Depending on your security service and the devices you purchase, you may also have the ability to record and store video clips, speak to people on your property through your cameras from a remote location, and even use a security camera’s Bluetooth speakers to listen to your favorite music.

Frontpoint offers four high-resolution, wireless Wi-Fi cameras with two-way audio capabilities: the Outdoor Camera, Doorbell Camera, Indoor Camera, and Premium Indoor Camera (which also incorporates Bluetooth speakers). Various Frontpoint cameras feature infrared vision, digital pan-and-tilt capability, wide-angle lenses, and enhanced zoom capabilities, all of which are controllable by an app on your smartphone or another device.

Smart home security should protect you from more than just intruders. Adding compatible environmental sensors to your system can alert you and your monitoring service to smoke and heat, rapid temperature changes, water leaks or floods, and dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

With immediate mobile notifications, you can address any potential damage to your home from leaks or floods immediately, potentially saving thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. And in the case of a home fire or potential carbon monoxide poisoning, you’ll have the security of knowing that your monitoring service will contact emergency responders for you.

With the right home security system, there’s no end to the ways you can customize a smart home. By choosing a system that provides the ability to add third-party components as needed, to set up home automation rules and programs, and to control everything through mobile devices and smart speakers, the sky’s the limit.

By purchasing compatible products, you can automate your home’s lights, locks, thermostat, fans, home theater, window shades, irrigation system, and quite a bit more. Any device that uses Z-Wave wireless communication can be networked with the Frontpoint Hub. From there, the Frontpoint Mobile App or website allows you to set home automation rules.

You can also connect your Frontpoint account to any Siri, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa device, allowing you to control your smart home components by voice command. For example, you could program your system so that when you say “Tell Frontpoint goodbye” to Alexa as you leave the house, the system will raise the thermostat, turn off your lights, lock your doors, and fully arm your security system. In the morning, a simple “good morning” could lower the thermostat, turn off your intrusion sensors, and even start your coffee brewing.

You can purchase smart light bulbs, wireless light controls (which can be used to automate any small appliance that has a plug and an on-off switch), smart garage door tilt sensor, and smart door locks as part of your Frontpoint home security system (or add them on later). Other compatible smart home devices like thermostats, smart blinds, and dimmer switches can be purchased separately and easily added to your Frontpoint system, as long as they use the Z-Wave standard.

Smart home devices and systems are rapidly becoming a reality for many people, as more and more homeowners learn the capabilities of these devices. Installing a smart home security system is one of the easiest and best ways to centrally control all of these devices while achieving the essential benefit: a safer, more secure home.

Frontpoint keeps homes safe whether families are there or not. We've been revolutionizing the home security industry for over a decade. And we're just getting started. To shop DIY home security systems, check out our Security Packages. If you have questions or would like to discuss a quote, contact us at 1-877-602-5276.