The adoption of smart home devices is on the rise, and it’s easy to see why. From smart thermostats to automatic door locks and security cameras, smart devices offer convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind.
But with all the benefits of smart home devices comes the need for proper installation and setup — and that’s where smart home wiring comes in.
In this guide, we’ll look at the importance of smart home wiring and how you can smart-wire your home.
What is smart home wiring?
Think of smart home wiring as a road map connecting all your home’s smart devices. It’s the backbone of your entire smart home system, enabling your devices to communicate and work together seamlessly.
When properly set up, smart home wiring allows you to manage and control your smart devices through a central hub or mobile phone.
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Benefits of smart home wiring
Smart home wiring ensures all your smart devices work together seamlessly, so you can focus on what matters most to you. Here are some benefits of a professionally installed smart home automation wiring system:
Convenience. Smart home wiring allows you to control and automate all your devices with a few taps on your mobile phone. For example, you can program your system to turn off the lights at bedtime.
Improved security. Knowing you have smart home devices looking after your home around the clock can give you much-needed peace of mind. For example, Vivint’s smart home security cameras use Smart Deter technology to prevent burglars before they have a chance to strike.
Remote monitoring. With smart home devices, you can monitor what’s happening inside and outside your home — all through your iPhone or Android device. This feature is especially useful if you want to keep an eye on your kids, pets, or older parents at home.
Energy efficiency. Apart from added safety and convenience, a smart-wired home can help you save on energy costs. You can use a smart thermostat to automate your heating and cooling, smart lighting to turn off lights when you’re not in the room, and smart appliances to reduce energy usage.
Personalization. Once your home system is installed, you can focus on creating a smart home automation system that fits your lifestyle. For example, you can connect smart devices to your Wi-Fi to create custom lighting, customize door access control, and adjust the temperature to your liking.
Better entertainment. Smart home wiring can help you enjoy seamless and uninterrupted entertainment, with easy access to music, movies, and TV on various devices.
Future-proofing. A smart-wired home should be able to add more smart home devices later, such as smart audio systems, video doorbells, smart outlets, and more. This means you don’t have to worry about your home becoming outdated or incompatible with new technologies.
How much does it cost to smart-wire a house?
Whether you’re ready to invest in a smart home system or exploring your options, you might wonder how much it costs to smart-wire a house.
Although the total cost depends on several factors — including the size of the home and the complexity of the system — here are some expenses associated with setting up your smart wiring:
Hardwiring
Electrical panel
Smart home products
Outlets
Opening walls (if retrofitting or renovating)
That said, prewiring a new house tends to be cheaper than retrofitting an older one. If you want to learn more about the cost of wiring your old or new home, contact our Smart Home Pros for a tailored quote.
So, you’ve decided to invest in smart home wiring — what do you need to make it happen? Let’s get down to the practical details and talk about the essential components of a smart-wired home:
Panel. A panel is a central location where all the wiring for the smart devices in your home comes together. Think of it as the brain of your smart home.
Hub. A smart hub is a touch-screen base station that allows you to control your smart home devices from one location. For example, you can control your door locks, view real-time camera footage, and adjust the temperature.
Switches. Gone are the days when you had to get out of bed to turn off the lights. With smart switches, you can remotely control your smart home gadgets through your mobile app or voice!
Electrical wiring. Low voltage wiring — such as ethernet and network cables, PoE switches, HDMI cables, and routers — is essential for powering your devices, transmitting data, and connecting multiple smart devices throughout the whole house.
How to wire a smart home
We get it — smart wiring your home can be a considerable investment, and if you’re looking for ways to save money, the idea of DIY may have crossed your mind. But before you break out the tool belt, consider this: Smart wiring should be done professionally by a trained electrician or a certified smart home technician.
Professional installation ensures your smart home system runs smoothly from day one and that your devices properly integrate. Plus, Vivint’s certified Smart Home Pros will show you how to get the most out of your smart home.
Love the idea of a smart home? Here are some popular smart devices to consider.
Security cameras
Security cameras capture live footage of the exterior and interior of your home, helping you keep an eye on your house and valuable belongings. With high-quality video resolution and features like night vision and motion detection, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your home and family are safe.
For added security, you can also choose Vivint’s outdoor camera, which has a Smart Deter security system that detects potential thieves and deters them with its LED illumination and loud sound.
Smart light switches
Controlling the lights from a distance is a big reason people love smart light switches.
With smart lighting, you can create the right ambiance for any occasion. Dim the lights in the evening for a relaxing atmosphere, turn off the lights through your mobile phone at bedtime, and change the colors when it’s time to party.
And with voice control options like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control your lighting with just a few words. Just say, “Alexa, turn off the lights.”
Smart smoke alarms
Although we can reduce the risk of fire — such as by keeping flammable materials away from heat sources — there are numerous hidden fire hazards around the home that we don’t think about every day.
That’s when smart smoke alarms can help. The Vivint Smoke & CO Combo Detector uses electrochemical sensors to identify the presence of CO and alert you before you even smell smoke.
In addition, if a fire occurs, your smart device will shut down the HVAC system to limit the spread of flames and unlock the doors automatically, allowing your family to get out and first responders to enter quickly.
Smart thermostats
If you dream of a fully automated home experience, a smart thermostat is a worthy addition to your smart home setup.
Smart thermostats connect to a wireless network and allow you to control the temperature of your home from your mobile app — even when you’re hundreds of miles away.
Plus, these clever devices learn your preferences over time and adjust the temperature in your home, saving you money on energy bills.
Vivint professional installation: making smart home wiring easy
Who doesn’t love to unlock doors remotely, control the lights from a distance, and adjust the temperature without leaving their bed?
Smart-wired homes offer a level of convenience we wouldn’t have thought possible a few short years ago. Thanks to today’s home technology, smart home devices offer unparalleled convenience and security, helping homeowners streamline their daily routines with just a few taps on their mobile devices.
If you’re ready to start enjoying the benefits of a smart-wired system, contact our Smart Home Pros for a free consultation. Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free quote.
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Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 expenditure on equipment after all discounts have been applied, professional installation, and execution of Vivint monitoring services agreement. Click here for monthly service plan prices. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems not eligible for offer. Offer not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be financed separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply.
Third-Party Financing Options Available
Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
Vivint Systems & Services
System supports up to six cameras subject to sufficient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this offer for complete equipment, services, and package details, including pricing and financing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certificate #58280. See Vivint license numbers here.
