All homeowners are concerned about protecting their property against burglars and break-ins, especially those in the luxury market. Home automation is quickly becoming a reality, allowing individuals to control certain aspects of their home through the simple click of a button on an internet-connected device. Since security guards and video camera surveillance can significantly increase security overhead, smart homes can offer a way to lower those costs while still maintaining a keen eye on one’s property.
What is a smart home? A smart home is a home that is equipped with devices that can transmit data. These devices can control lights, electricity, and locking systems - which can be accessed remotely from an internet connected device, like a cellphone or tablet. The home automation market is predicted to grow, with experts putting its market value well over $10 billion by 2020 (Source). The ability for technology to integrate naturally within a home may seem strange now - like an amenity only applicable to multi-million dollar mansions - but in a decade the IoT technology will likely become standard in many middle-class homes.
What elements does a smart-home control?
Lighting, heating, and security devices can all be set up with smart technology. Just about any device in the home can be “smart-equipped” to transmit data, from the front garage door to the refrigerator in the kitchen. Moving forward, the most important elements of the home will likely be developed first, in accordance with the value they can give homeowners. The more pressing issues like security and energy savings will take precedence over convenience needs. The public is unlikely to large-scale development smart-coffee-makers and smart-showers in the coming years, for example. The bulk of the dollars home developers will invest in will be home security.
What’s wrong with current home security methods
Human labor is expensive. Having patrol-personnel onsite or security guards monitoring video camera feed is also ineffective. This report found that security guards miss over 75 percent of the activity on their screens, even when well-rested and alert. Take into account human error, training costs, and the increasing minimum wage, and you have yourself a formula for a void in the market that will be capitalized on.
What can be done to improve security surveillance?
Current video camera surveillance technology provides a live feed that a human needs to look at in order to determine if there is an intrusion. Smart monitors have a large upfront cost, but allow technology to monitor the area for you. Otherwise, video cameras may alert you, the homeowner as to any activity passing by the front of the camera. Hunters have actually used this technology in order to spot wild game like deer. Modern video cameras alert the owner when an object passes in its field of vision. With a smart home connected to the municipal grid, police and fire departments can be alerted in real time, showing up on time to catch the perpetrator red-handed or the fire before it begins to break out.
Integrating smart homes into daily living
With the ability to link up smart locks to cell-phones, you can know what times your children and housekeeper walked in the home. With the ability to turn on lights even when you are hundreds of miles away, you can give the illusion that you are home, deterring burglars from breaking in.
Final thoughts
The technology that will replace security guards and CCTV video surveillance is not quite there yet, but it is getting there! Great improvements are being made in order to integrate locks, doors, A/C and heating, and video surveillance technology into the 21 century. I’ve observed that efficient home locks and key security systems are in great demand. People are increasingly seeking more robust and powerful technology as a means of security and protection.
Moving into 2020, society will see increased dependence on smartphone technology. It will serve as a command center that allows property owners the ability to monitor their investment wherever they may be.
About the Author: Craig Bretzlaff is a luxury real estate specialist who has been recognized as a top producer in the Palm Beaches, Florida. With his expertise in residential real estate and luxury home building Craig prides himself on sharing his knowledge and experiences with his clientele so that they can make informed investment decisions.
Edited by
Ken Briodagh
