Smart Home Cameras for Newbies: 3 Facts You Should Know

In previous eras, homeowners could only dream about knowing what was happening at home when they weren’t there. But today, knowing what’s going on at home is easy to do – that is, provided there are smart video cameras integrated in the home security system. When smart home cameras are installed, all homeowners need to do is take out the phone, open the home security app, and get an instant view of the activity being captured on camera.

Here are some other details for smart home camera newbies.

 

They come in all shapes and sizes.

Homeowners have a wide range of choices when it comes to smart home cameras. With guidance from the right security company, they can decide what model will work best for their home security needs based on home size, family size, and household budget. As a private company since 1960 that has serviced countless homeowners, Security Instrument can provide that guidance.

They come with high quality monitoring service.

The smartphone app is a homeowner’s portal to the numerous features in a smart home system. One of those is the notifications feature, which allow the homeowner to customize which events they want alerts for; when people come home and when someone is at the door are two prime examples.

But what if one of those events is a true emergency, and the homeowner misses the notification? Security monitoring service is there to fill in the gap. At the central station monitoring center, trained security operators are standing by ready to respond to alarm activations – and with smart home cameras, there is footage to verify the nature of the emergency. This is how smart home systems make alarms and video work together.

They aren’t just for security.

Smart home technology is excellent for security, but it does more than offer an extra layer of protection for the household. It can also help simplify the essential processes after a disaster. For instance: After a house fire, the video can be submitted to the insurance company as critical evidence documenting how the fire occurred. Real homeowners have benefited from this service, filing more successful insurance claims when a fire originates from circumstances out of their control.

To learn more about smart home cameras for home security newbies, contact Security Instrument. We will be happy to answer your questions.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is a full-service, independently-owned security integrator that offers numerous residential and commercial security options. We serve thousands of customers located throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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How To Enjoy A Safer Superbowl This Year

The Superbowl only happens once a year, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to take a day off from home security. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep your home securely monitored when you have a home control system.

If you have an outdated alarm system at home, there’s only so much it can do on a big day like the Superbowl. Having friends over? Don’t forget to disarm the system before they come in, using your “last generation” alarm keypad. With a home control system, you can disarm the alarm with a tap on your phone – and you don’t even need to be home to do it! Arm your system when you run out for game day snacks or go to church in the morning, and then disarm it as you pull back into the driveway. When company’s coming over and the pressure is on to get everything “just right,” that’s the kind of convenience a home control security system offers.

PREVENT AN OPEN HOUSE CATASTROPHE

And the convenience doesn’t stop once everyone arrives. The Superbowl tends to be an occasion that lends itself to “open house” style parties, whether or not the host says it is.

Before you know it, your friends have brought their friends – and you don’t know half the people on your property. That’s when your home control security system can be a life saver.

Without ever getting off the couch, you can check on that couple who wandered out into the backyard or the kids who are spending a little too much time near the baby’s room. You can find out what they’re doing discreetly and proceed as you see fit, thanks to your convenient home control app.

WATCH AWAY FROM HOME IN COMFORT

But what if you’re watching the Superbowl from the local sports bar? Arm your system with your phone before you leave, and rest assured that anyone who’s been staking out the house is going to get a noisy reality check if they try to break in. You can even check on your live video from the comfort of your bar stool. For this year’s Superbowl, you’ll have the safest fun you’ve had in years thanks to your home control security system. To learn more, contact Security Instrument for a home security consultation.

ABOUT SECURITY INSTRUMENT

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security company, serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, MD, NJ & PA.

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4 Ways Investing in Smart Home Technology Saves You Money

We all know that smart home technologies are widely available, affordable and effective, but can they also save you money?  Yes, and in ways you may not have guessed. Here are 4 reasons to opt into smart home and automation technologies.

Smart Thermostats

Investing in a smart thermostat is a smart, cost-saving decision for a number of reasons. Heating and cooling account for nearly half of a home’s energy costs, so getting that under control can provide substantial savings. Smart thermostats can do this by learning your usage and preferences and adjust accordingly so you are never heating and cooling unnecessarily. You can also use it to turn on your heating or cooling from afar, so you can adjust the temperature just before you get home, rather than leaving it on all day so that you can come home to a comfortable home.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting lets you upgrade your space with features such as motion sensors, dimmers, and app access, but even better -these features save money on your utility bill.

  • Using LED lighting, dimmers save money on a 1:1 ratio so dimming 50%  reduces energy usage by 50%.
  • Motion sensors ensure that lights go off when not in use and on when you need them.
  • App Control provides a way to turn off and on lights from anywhere, so you can still return home to a well-lit home without having to leave them on while away.

Remote Power Management

We’d probably be quite surprised if we could add up all of the wasted energy we use and measure it against our actual needful usage. Leaving lights, fans, electronics, appliances, and things like curling irons is a huge and costly waste. Energy consumption by televisions and other electronics that are in the “always on” mode (but look off) is also a big contributor of wasted energy. With smart home technology, you can control all of these things from an app on your smartphone or tablet, and precisely manage your energy use.

Pro Tip: Energy consumption by televisions and other electronics that are in the “always on” mode (but look off) is also a big contributor of wasted energy.

 

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

It may seem like a small thing, but when all of the peripheral things are working efficiently, automatically, and smartly then you can, too. By using these things as a tool you can keep yourself on track, on time, and motivated. For example, using lighting and temperature controls can help you wake up on time, while enabled appliances are already at work so that you can get to work more quickly. You can also eliminate distractions with smart technologies like video doorbells so that you can accomplish your tasks without interruptions. All of these things ultimately make and save you money.

Adopting smart technologies for a truly connected home not only puts a lot of cool features and conveniences in your hand, it keeps money in your pocket.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently owned security firm, serving Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland with safety, security, and smart home technologies.

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Why you should integrate lights with your home security system

Now that home security customers have access to interactive systems that can control lights inside the home, there is a greater opportunity for them to use lights as a security tool. How is that done? Here are some ideas for making the lights in your home a security advantage, using the Virtual Keypad app on your mobile device.

  • When you arrive home at night, manually turn on your front door lights from the driveway before exiting the car – or better yet, turn them on before you leave work.
  • Alternatively, program your lights to automatically come on at the same time the alarm is disarmed every night.
  • If you live alone or are concerned about night time break-ins, program a downstairs lamp to come on during peak vulnerability hours. For example, a light can be on from midnight-4 a.m. Ask us about the optional lamp module service that does this!
  • Program indoor lights to come on if there is an alarm activation.
  • Before going on vacation or away overnight, program your lights to come on at dusk and remain on until sunrise.

Of course, you can customize your Home Automation system to turn lights on and off as needed; after all, no one knows your schedule better than you.

Remember, though: This is also a remote energy management system. With the economy being what it is, we can all use a viable way to cut corners; what better place to start than your utility usage? It may not be practical to stop running your dishwasher at night or to cut down on the family’s laundry. But what is practical is making sure lights are only on when they need to be, and that is what Security Instrument offers.

About Security Instrument

To learn more about a remote access solution that leverages your lights to the fullest for the sake of security, contact Security Instrumenttoday. We will be glad to answer your questions about your lighting control and smart home security options.

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How to Banish Fall Scheduling Horrors Using Home Security and Mobile Control

After a relaxing summer break, the fall season hits many of us like a Mac truck. The schedules are suddenly filled with an increase of activities and responsibilities and end up a tangled mess with plenty of room for error. But before your fall season turns into something out of a horror movie, get everything under control using the tools afforded by home security and mobile control.

Competing Events

You have a teen that needs to be at cheerleading practice and a 4th grader who needs to be at an open house at the exact same time. Getting them there is the first problem. Getting them home is another. So, you take the younger to open house and have the teen ride with a friend to and from practice. When your oldest uses her own code to get into the house, you know she made it home safely.

Who Forgot to Lock the Door?

It happens. With everyone running out the door in one tidal wave of activity, something is bound not to get done. The problem is, some of those things that may get forgotten to be done can cause a real security risk; like not locking the door, or leaving the garage door open, or the stove on. Home automation and security technology help you make sure that forgetfulness doesn’t lead to disaster. An alert to your phone notifies you about the open garage, unlocked door, and the stove. With just a few taps, you can take care of all the issues from wherever you are without having to make the long trek back home.

Everything Else is Held Up Waiting on Someone Else

You’ve been waiting for hours for a visiting friend, family member, or service provider and waiting any longer could jeopardize your job. With secure entry from a smart lock, you can safely and easily let anyone in or out even if you are not home.

Keeping Everyone on Schedule

Keeping everyone on schedule because if one person is late, usually everyone else ends up late as well. By using home automation and mobile control you can prompt action and keep tasks moving along well. For example, use temperature control to create the best climate for sleeping or waking, have the lights come on to wake you up, and the coffee brewing so you can grab it on the way out.

When you use home security and mobile control technologies from Security Instrument, you never have to sacrifice time, convenience, or safety no matter how busy life gets.

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Home Security and Mobile Control Made Easy

Living in the golden age of technology has some serious advantages. In just a couple of decades, we have gone from relying on corded phones for just communication to tiny handheld computers capable of dozens of functions simultaneously and remotely. It seems like everything has gone mobile, including home security. Now, more than ever, it is possible to stay connected to the things that matter in life with home security, home automation, and mobile control technologies. But is there a reason to want to? Definitely.

You might think that the ability to control your home remotely is a high-tech luxury function, it is actually an affordable reality with great practical applications. Here are just a few examples of how mobile control makes life better.

Centralized Mobile Control

Managing a multitude of devices from one place is of enormous advantage. Instead of having to learn many separate processes, you learn one and control them all.

Easily Integrate New Devices and Appliances

As more companies manufacture an increasing number of enabled products, you are able to easily integrate them into your system. Integrating newcomers seamlessly means you can add or upgrade your devices and appliances at will, and always have complete control.

Mobile Control Maximizes Home Security

Having home security is a plus, but incorporating security, surveillance, and automation features into a remotely accessed network multiplies the benefits exponentially. Connecting security features such as smart locks, motion sensors, and surveillance cameras means you can react to suspicious activity immediately even if you are not home. As a productivity tool, mobile control allows users to streamline and automate processes so you can close the home down on your heels as you leave, or have it prepping for your arrival as it senses your approach, via geofencing.

Remote Control Home Functions

If you have ever forgotten to close the garage, lock the door, or turn off an appliance, you know how nice it would be to be able to do it from afar. With remote control, you can.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Mobile control also helps improve energy efficiency. You never need to leave heating or cooling on in order to come home to a comfortable home when you can do it remotely just before you return home. Even better, program HVAC, lights, and electronics to respond to schedules or triggers so you minimize energy usage.

Home Management Insights

Being able to control your home is one thing, but it also provides an additional benefit of gaining insights into how your home operates. Not only does it give you the opportunity to change your energy habits, but provide real data to help you analyze your own life and habits.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument brings security, convenience, and control all to one place. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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Top Things Security and Automation Customers Forget to Factor into Decisions

As you might imagine, there are many things both business and residential customers fail to factor into their security and automation decisions. After all, we know our own areas of expertise and for many, security technologies are just not on the radar. Just like in any area of business or technology, it is usually what we don’t know that can cause the most problems.

Surprise! It isn’t About Technology

While there is a wealth of information needed to make educated decisions about a security system, much of the information that can help make a decision is available through (copious) product spec research. A professional technician is also a great resource for information that can help lead to wise decisions.

Most Never Think of This

Many security and automation buys are based on one thing—the cost. Usually, customers base a decision on the lowest price for what they believe comparable goods. What they fail to factor in is what those prices mean for them long-term. The price for any goods and service is based on many things and, of course, the cheaper the price the more corners that need to be cut in order for the business to be profitable. In the automation and security industry, there are some critical places that are usually the victim of cuts including the quality of product and service. When you are talking about something as critical as safety, any cut is a cut too many.

The Intrinsic Factor

Sometimes a higher price is just that—a higher price. Other times, a slightly higher upfront cost may mean something else, and something beneficial. Most consumers think of product to product price comparisons. In the security industry, there are other very serious factors that play a role in the cost of a system and services. In addition to the quality of product, there are other things that play a role such as having or not having things like:

  • Multiple locations
  • In-house CAD department
  • Multiple service vehicles
  • Dedicated IT staff
  • Factory trained installation specialists
  • Swift response times
  • Fully accessible support

It Matters More Than We Realize

The service and support surrounding home and business security is just as important as the quality of product and not factoring in service offerings is one of the biggest mistakes security and automation customers make.

Unfortunately, security customers often buy a product without giving consideration to the service. This is a huge problem because unlike many other common products the level of effectiveness, down time, service wait times all seriously impact usefulness, and ultimately the cost of having a security or automation system.

Security Instrument Corp. is committed to integrity and responsible business practices and invests in strengthening its capacity to serve clients with excellence.

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Protecting Your Delaware Vacation Home

Delaware has a lot to offer and in the summer months, the state swells with vacationers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC and other nearby areas. If you own a vacation home, the season probably brings to mind home security and ensuring your guests feel protected. In addition to being an important rental attraction, home security and home automation can serve you and your vacation home all year.

Protecting Guests and Providing Convenience

One of the most important factors in having a rental home is making it as attractive as possible to potential renters and increased safety and convenience top the list of desirable features. Simple niceties such as having the lights come on when motion is detected can make a renter’s visit memorable when it comes to planning their next visit. Conveying the appearance of a well-secured property not only tells potential criminals that the home is not an easy target, it tells renters that you pay attention to details and care about their wellbeing.

Pro Tip: Simple niceties such as having the lights come on when motion is detected can make a renter’s visit memorable when it comes to planning their next visit.

 

Increasing Security is For You, Too

Burglars target vacation homes frequently because these homes are often unoccupied for extended periods of time. While they may not contain the types and quantity of items of a fully occupied home, burglars know that it still contains plenty of valuables they can turn for a quick and easy buck.

Home security systems make vacation properties less attractive to thieves, some polls reveal by up to 60%.  Of course, when those homes are occupied they are even less attractive. Smart home technologies address security needs on both fronts and keep away troublemakers by making the home look occupied. Using Z-Wave technology to set up customized lighting scenes, to turn on, dim, and turn off lights at varied intervals owners can make it look like someone is in the home.

Security Systems Also Provide Weekday and Off-Season Oversight

Having a vacation home can be a source of enjoyment, but worrying about the property when you are away can steal the joy. This is because so many things can go wrong in the blink of an eye and since you are not at the property you may not be aware of a problem in enough time to correct it before it causes major and costly damage. That is enough to cause anyone stress.

Fortunately, there are smart affordable solutions that keep homeowners in the know, 24/7. The ability to check-in on the home at will with remote video is a huge benefit, so you know the status of the home and any activity. As the seasons change, there are additional benefits that can alert you to problems and protect your home from common damage causing problems, such as leaks and frozen pipes. Features like flood detection, temperature monitoring, and generator supervision address many of the issues vacation homeowners face.

About Security Instrument

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service independently-owned security firm serving thousands of customers throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. We understand the needs and challenges of vacation home ownership and work with clients to accommodate their schedules for installation and service.

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Smart Home Security Starts With Your Smart Garage Door

Smart security sure has come a long way. Just a handful of years ago it would be difficult to believe all that is possible today with smart technologies connecting and enhancing a wide swath of security and convenience. While we enjoy all of the facets and elements of smart home security one element, the smart garage door, plays a truly pivotal role.

The Smart Garage Door is Key To Your Security

Securing the garage door is one of the most important, and most often neglected security actions. Over 90% of break-ins occur at ground level and a large portion of them through unsecured garage doors that lead to an interior door to the home. Over 70% of Americans use the garage door as their primary entrance. And it is not hard to figure that many, many people forget to close the garage door on countless occasions. That’s why the smart garage door is a strategic security feature. It can close or be closed remotely, even when you forget and provide pop-up smartphone alerts when it opens at unexpected times.

Pro Tip: When the garage door is part of a smart home system, going or coming can trigger actions to limit energy consumption, which reduces your costs.

Keep Track of Activity

Since a smart garage door can provide pop-up alerts on your smartphone when activity is detected or actions are needed, you can keep track of the comings and goings of the entire family by using unique codes.

You Can Manage Access Like Never Before

The ability to open and close the garage remotely and provide unique, time sensitive codes is also a valuable feature in time and project management. You can always be two places at once (almost) to let in family, friends, or service providers even if you are stuck in traffic.

A Smart Garage Door Makes Your Home Even More Thoughtful

A connected garage door can mean a much more responsive home. When the system detects that the door is opening and closing, and who by using codes or geofencing technology, it can trigger other responses. When the door closes, for example, the clothes dryer turns to “away”, the lights go off and the thermostat get turned down. Or when you draw near, the garage opens, lights go on, temperature adjusts, and the appropriate appliances are on and ready to go. It can also trigger an “away” sequence of events that it can turn off and on lights and music so that the home always looks occupied, making your home even more secure.

The Smart Garage Door Can Trigger Savings

Heating and cooling makes up the largest portion of our energy bills. When the garage door is part of a smart home system, going or coming can trigger actions to limit energy consumption, which reduces your costs.

Security Instrument is Delaware’s largest full-service, independently owned security firm serving thousands of customers with professional and personalized service throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.

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When You Think of Parenting, Think of Home Automation

When you think of parenting, a million things come to your mind. Home automation may not be the first on that list, but perhaps it should be. Home automation offers a wealth of parental help and once you know, you will wonder what you ever did without it.
Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs we will ever have, but also one of the most serious and monumental. That’s why experienced parents will recommend using all of the tools available to help navigate the various stages of parenting—and one of the most effective of those tools is home automation. Here’s why.

Home Automation Helps During Infancy

Bringing home a baby is one of the most joyous times of our lives. It can also be the most terrifying. Suddenly your life is filled with a million new concerns that must be managed while completely sleep deprived. The baby has a need for comfort and consistency while the parent has the overwhelming need to know their child is okay. These needs are easily met with home automation. By using smart technologies, you can keep the room at the perfect temperature and lighting just right to ensure the comfort of the baby. Parents, too, can rest easy with the ability to check the security camera from their phone or knowing they will receive immediate alerts if the door, wind, or motion sensors are tripped.

Keeping Toddlers Safe

Home automation is like a parental superpower when it comes to raising a toddler. Toddlers have an unending curiosity and are unaware of danger. While a parent never wants to quench that curiosity and desire to discover, they do want to keep their child safe. Home automation helps keep the little ones safe by sending alerts if door or motion sensors are tripped. Now, there is no chance of secret backyard excursions or early morning escapes.

Home Automation During the School Years

The school years are a whirlwind of activity that can have you going and coming several times a day. In the midst of all the activities, it is easy to forget to do things lick lock the doors, arm the security system, or turn off the appliances. Fortunately, home automation can take care of all that and prevent a small thing from becoming a catastrophic event. Home automation can also help gently guide kids through the day with cues, such as lights on means you need to get up, and music playing means you need to have your shoes on and be ready to leave.

Inspiring Independence in the Teen and Nearly Adult Years

Teens want and need a new level of independence but also need a new level of oversight. Home automation helps bridge the gap by giving parents much needed insights without sacrificing their teen’s independence or dignity. Alerts can let parents know when the kids get home or provide access control to off limit areas.

Parents want to give their children the best life possible and home automation is one of the best tools to help make that happen. If you would like more information about home automation, give Brinton Electric Security Services a call today.

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