What Would It Take to Turn the White House Into a Smart Home?

Imagine converting the White House—the most iconic home in America—into a smart home with the latest home automation technology. Sound too big to be true? We think not.

Since turning houses into smart homes is something we know a thing or two about, we decided to take on the theoretical challenge.

We asked some members of the Vivint innovation team, using publicly available data about the White House, to calculate just what it would take to turn the structure into an actual smart home.

Of course, the Secret Service has White House security under control. In fact, entire agencies of the government are dedicated to ensuring the White House is not only safe but technologically up to date. But given the scope of the building, it’s an interesting study in smart home automation to see what it would require to fully outfit the house to get the most control, convenience, and security.

They applied the same smart home products, features, and technologies used for Vivint customers everyday—and the results were fascinating. Take a look at the infographic below:

10-12 outdoor cameras

The White House sits on 18 acres. With a yard that big, it’s no wonder 36 people¹ have managed to sneak onto the grounds over the years. Installing 10-12 outdoor surveillance cameras would ensure no one goes unnoticed—day or night.

2 doorbell cameras

We’re not sure who would be ringing the doorbell at the White House (pizza delivery, anyone?), but just in case, doorbell cameras will allow staffers and security to see and speak with whomever is at the door.

6 Vivint Smart Hub^™ Panels

The residence portion of the White House (where the President and family live) boasts six floors. A Vivint Smart Hub panel on each floor means staffers don’t have to take an elevator (or a hike) to lock the doors or arm the security system, for example.

132 smart thermostats

In addition to the First Family, there are approximately 100 full-time staffers² at the White House, from cleaning personnel to florists to chefs. Smart thermostats in each White House room ensure the temperature is comfortable for everyone.

132 indoor cameras

Not even the Secret Service can be everywhere at once. An indoor camera like the Vivint indoor camera^™Camera for each room³ in the White House gives the Secret Service 132 extra sets of eyes.

132 Google Home^™ units

With a Google Home in each room, the First Family and staff can control their home without even getting up. So whether the First Lady wants to listen to some relaxing music while getting ready for a State function or the President wants to raise the temperature a bit during dinner, all it takes is a simple voice command to Google Assistant.

38 water sensors

There are 35 bathrooms and 3 kitchens⁴ in the White House, so it’s safe to say a lot of water flows through those pipes. Water sensors in each room can catch leaks or plumbing mishaps before they cause damage. That's tax dollars saved.

412 door sensors

Because you can never be too careful when national security is on the line, a door sensor for each door in the White House is only prudent.

147 glass break sensors

There are 147 windows⁵ in the White House. And while it’s doubtful anyone would (or could) try and scale the White House to break into the upper floors, having glass break sensors for each window is the safest bet. Of course, chances are those windows are bullet proof anyway.

31 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

When a house has 28 fireplaces⁶ and 3 kitchens, it’s safe to say there’s a higher risk than average for the occasional grease fire or buildup of carbon monoxide. To be on the safe side, 31 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be enough to sound the alarm.

18 motion detectors for hallways and staircases

The square footage of the White House is a whopping 55,000 square feet. Add 8 staircases⁷ and that's a lot of space to cover. 18 motion detectors should be sufficient for the hallways and staircases.

What's the takeaway? If we can outfit the White House, we can outfit yours. Any home—old or new, large or small—is a candidate for smart home technology. Which means any customer can get the presidential treatment. Call us today to see how to turn your home into a smart home.

Sources

• 1 "36 Breaches Of The White House Perimeter, Mapped". 2018. Washington Post. Accessed February 10 2018.
  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/09/22/35-breaches-of-white-house-security-mapped
• 2 "How The White House Staff Welcomes A New First Family". 2018. Time.Com. Accessed February 10 2018.
  http://time.com/4632665/kate-andersen-brower-white-house/
• 3,4,5,6,7 "The White House Building". 2018. The White House. Accessed February 10 2018. 
  https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-white-house/