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.
Let’s be neighbors.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more smart tips.
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 Google Assistant, you can control your lighting with just a few words. Just say, “Hey Google, 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.
Get a free quote today.
A Vivint Smart Home Pro will contact you within 24 hours. Or skip the form and call now: 844.481.8630.
All offers are subject to availability and may not be available in all states, provinces, or zip codes. Taxes and additional fees may apply.
HomeProtect Offer Terms
Vivint’s standard HomeProtect package includes 1 Vivint Security Hub, 3 Vivint Door & Window Sensors, 1 Vivint Motion Sensor, 1 Vivint Keypad, and 1 Vivint yard sign. The HomeProtect equipment package is regularly priced at $349.99, with professional installation priced at $199 and Vivint system monitoring at $29.99/mo., unless otherwise advertised. Offer for new Vivint customers only.
HomeProtect Pro Offer Terms
The HomeProtect Pro Offer is available to new and existing Vivint customers and requires a minimum $749.99 expenditure on equipment (after discounts), professional installation and execution of a Vivint services agreement. Monthly service fees vary based on the products and services you select. HomeProtect system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems are not eligible for this offer.
Financing Options
Financing for equipment purchases is subject to credit approval by one of Vivint’s third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance at 0% APR for up to 60 months, with terms varying by offer. Financing requires a separate agreement with the financing partner. Month-to-month service agreements are available when equipment is purchased upfront.
Vivint Systems & Services
System can support multiple cameras, subject to sufficient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Contact a Vivint representative for complete equipment, services, and pricing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certificate #58280. See Vivint license numbers here. Click here for full terms of service.
Professional Installation
$199FREE
Hassle-free installation
In-person system training
Guaranteed compatibility
Ongoing support and troubleshooting
Expert setup and configuration
Real-time customization
No guesswork. No DIY. Our pros install and optimize your system so it works exactly as it should.
We’ll walk you through your system and app, so you’re confident using it from day one.
We ensure every device in your Vivint system connects and works seamlessly together.
We test every device and back you up with expert support long after install.
Don’t lift a finger. Just schedule professional installation when it’s convenient for you.
Not sure what you need? We’ll help tailor your setup on install day with any added products.
All Vivint security system purchases include professional installation
Pay at your own pace, from 0% interest
We offer flexible financing options based on your order size, with terms up to 36 months at 0% interest. Checking your eligibility will not impact your credit score.
Pay in 4 - available on any order
12 months@ 0% -$299+
18 months@ 0% -$599+
24 months@ 0% -$999+
36 months @ 0% -$1,499+
Vivint 24/7 Professional Monitoring
Starting at $44.99/mo
Alarm event monitoring
Emergency response coordination
Immediate threat detection
Instant smart notifications
Always-on protection
False alarm management
Whether it’s a break-in or fire, we respond to every critical alarm type—so you’re always covered.
When seconds count, talk to us right through the panel—we’ll dispatch first responders for you.
Smoke, motion, glass break—whatever the danger, it’s detected instantly for quick action.
Get real-time alerts on your phone or Smart Hub so you stay informed and in control.
We’re always on—and your system always works with built-in cellular and 24-hr. battery.
Cancel false alarms quickly from your phone or panel while we verify and keep you covered.
All Vivint security system purchases include required 24/7 monitoring
Vivint 24/7 Professional Monitoring
Starting at $24.99/mo
Alarm event monitoring
Emergency response coordination
Immediate threat detection
Instant smart notifications
Always-on protection
False alarm management
Potential break-in? We have you covered—our professionals respond to every critical alarm.
When seconds count, we’ll give you a call—we’ll even dispatch first responders if we can’t reach you.
Unexpected movement or entry breached—whatever the threat, it’s detected instantly for quick action.
Get real-time alerts in the app on your smartphone so you stay informed and in control—from anywhere.
We’re always on and ready to help—and your system always works with built-in cellular and 4-hr. battery.
If an alarm is triggered, we’ll call to make sure everything’s OK. False alarm? Just give us the all clear.
All Vivint security system purchases include required 24/7 monitoring
