Will My Home Security System Function Without Smart Devices?
Modern home security has evolved to the point at which it is now possible to integrate whole automation with standard security features. People can now attach all sorts of smart devices for a more complete and holistic automation and security ecosystem. But that begs an interesting question: will a traditional home security system function without smart devices?
In a word, yes. A legacy home security system installed a decade ago, without any smart devices, should theoretically continue working just fine until the equipment eventually wears out and dies. But modern home security systems are built with smart devices – even if those smart devices have nothing to do with home automation.
What Makes a Device Smart
You can purchase a DIY home security system with just the basics: window and door sensors, one or two security cameras, a smoke alarm, and a central hub. None of the devices in the system would be considered strictly home automation devices. The entire system would function flawlessly assuming that it was installed correctly. And yet, the chances are pretty good that at least one or two of the devices in the system is smart.
So what constitutes a smart device? What makes a device smart? There is no hard-and-fast definition. However, here are the basics most smart device manufacturers agree on:
- Context Awareness – The ability to gather and analyze information about the surrounding environment.
- Autonomy – The ability to perform functions automatically, without direct human intervention (after being programmed).
- Connectivity – The ability to connect to the internet of things (IoT) for the purposes of communication and remote access.
Most of the wireless security cameras now on the market offer all three, at least to some degree. For example, it’s pretty common for a wireless camera to be able to distinguish between a person and a pet. Cameras can be programmed to behave in certain ways, and they have the connectivity to allow homeowners to monitor feeds remotely.
Home Automation Is the Real Question
When homeowners ask if they need smart devices to guarantee their home security systems continue functioning, they are not really asking about smart devices per se. Rather, what they really want to know is whether they need to add home automation devices. No, they don’t.
I am guessing this question arises from the fact that so many of the big-name smart home ecosystems combine security and home automation into one. Vivint is a perfect example. Vivint cut its teeth as a home security provider years ago. But today, their systems combine both security and home automation devices.
Typical Home Automation Devices
A typical Vivint system starch with the same basic components you would find in any entry level home security package: the previously mentioned window and door sensors, video cameras, and hub. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are also pretty standard. As for home automation devices, typical choices include:
- Smart thermostats
- Smart lighting components
- Smart door locks
- Smart garage doors
Combining home automation with security is about convenience and efficiency. From a convenience perspective, imagine being able to turn lights on and off with your voice. Imagine being able to program your lights to keep your house illuminated when you are on vacation.
The efficiency aspect is rooted largely in being able to control both lighting and temperature via automatic programming. Automating lights and thermostat reduces wasteful energy consumption by matching usage with a homeowner’s daily routine.
There are additional reasons for integrating home automation devices into a security system. But no, doing so isn’t necessary. A home security system will still function just fine without home automation devices.