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Find answers to questions about smart homes in Champaign

November 28, 2022
Close up security home system app on a smartphone.

You’ve heard your friend mention how he is able to turn on his lights with a voice command or set his thermostat to adjust automatically. Needless to say, you’re interested in knowing how smart homes work and if they could benefit your life. To assist you in gaining a better appreciation, review these answers to some common questions about smart homes in Champaign.

How do smart homes work in Champaign?

All of your automated devices like lights, locking systems, HVAC controls, and surveillance equipment all have a notable thing alike - they need to be accessible via the internet. This allows them to be managed from a distance with things like a voice-operated speaker, central hub, or your phone’s app. Your components can also interact with each other. To illustrate, if your exterior video camera detects unusual movement, it can cause your lights to turn on.

You could set up a couple automated light bulbs and a Google or Amazon speaker and say you have a smart home, but why settle for that? As an alternative, go with a fully integrated installation with networked lights, cameras, thermostat, and other devices. Keep reading to learn why this course of action makes sense.

How will a Champaign smart home enhance my life?

It’s understandable if you’re a little skeptical. Turning your lights on or off through your smartphone is amusing, but you want to know if your Champaign smart home will really benefit you. As it turns out, it will, and in ways you might not have considered.

  • Security: Would you enjoy having doors that automatically lock at predetermined instances or cameras that will deliver video clips when suspicious motion is detected? Tools like Vivint’s outdoor cameras even feature incorporated deterrents. Smart homes have a definite edge when it comes to upgrading your home’s security.
  • Remote access: Knowing your components are accessible from the internet, results in you being able to operate them from anywhere. Forgot to shut off your lighting? No problem. Just use the easy-to-operate Vivint app on your smartphone and take care of it.
  • Convenience: Give yourself less to do by putting lights and locking systems on a predetermined program. You can even perform a range of operations with spoken words and an integrated smart speaker.
  • Efficiency: If you put lighting and temperature settings on programs and have the chance to control your components remotely, you are able to considerably decrease energy costs.

Does it make sense to get 24-hour monitoring with my smart home?

Smart home access and useability are nice, but what happens in the event of an emergency? When you have 24-7 monitoring, those smart tools that send you alerts also warn your monitoring specialists. This gives you the chance to direct your attention on keeping your family safe while the dedicated representatives reach out to first responders. The advantages of monitoring are even more significant if something happens when you’re away from home. Like most facets of life, it’s generally smart to have a back-up plan in place.