Home Automation
One other aspect you may wish to consider is Home Automation.
What this allows you to do is to control your security system and other devices in your home remotely from a mobile phone or web-enabled device. You can remotely arm and disarm your system and control lighting, thermostat, and other internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
These systems are becoming increasingly popular as they provide control from anywhere in the world and other useful features other than security.
- Perhaps you might be out at a local shop, and be contacted via your mobile phone that someone is at your front door.
- You could see a live video from your front door and see it is a friend.
- Then you could have a two-way conversation with them and tell them you'll be back in a few minutes.
Depending on what devices you have in your system, this and many more features could be at your fingertips wherever you are.
The cost for these sorts of added devices can be varied, but because they are normally wireless - you don't need to install them all at the same time. You can slowly add them one by one over a period of time.
Automatic Timers
Plug socket timers can be used to automatically turn on and off standard electrical 3-pin equipment such as lights, radios, TV's or heaters.
These can, therefore, provide a simple low-cost way to make your home look occupied whilst you are away.
- Plug them into your wall socket
- Plug whatever device(s) you want to control directly into it
- Set the on and off times you want and you are done
Some of the fancier timers can automatically turn on and off when it starts getting dark or light which makes it less obvious you are using timer switches.
Mechanical versions of these timers can be bought for under £5 and digital versions for under £10.
And for under £15, you can buy true smart switches which you can activate using your smartphone from anywhere (internet connection required).
As well as the 3-pin socket timers you can get Wall Timer Switchers which fit over your standard existing light switches so you can control your room ceiling lighting in a similar fashion.
Fake TV Simulator
This is a small box with multi-colour LED lights which will provide realistic TV programme simulation with scene changes, light flickering, on-screen motion and unpredictable colour pattern changes.
Can be a good visual deterrent to intruders / burglars as it will illuminate a room/wall giving the illusion that someone is at home watching TV.
Some versions have a built-in light sensor which will automatically turn the Fake TV on at dusk and others will allow you to set timers
Thermostats
The real intelligence with home automation thermostats is in their ability to learn how you use your heating.
They can sense and automatically adjust their running depending on whether anyone is home or not, how hot you like it when you are in, what the current local weather conditions/humidity are and how long your boiler takes to get the house up to temperature.
With home automation thermostats, you can change the temperature, set profiles, change timers and more from your phone, tablet or computer.
The whole point, as well as convenience, is they should save you energy and money.
Zoned heating is the newest upgrade to many smart thermostat systems. By installing wireless Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV) or separate thermostats you can control the heat in individual rooms, not just the whole house. So, for example, the nursery can be kept warm at night without the rest of the house overheating.
Two popular examples of automated thermostats come from Nest and Hive
Nest Thermostat
The Nest family is owned by Google's parent company Alphabet Inc.
They also have the Nest smoke/carbon monoxide alarm and Nest Cam which all talk to each other - for instance: the camera can switch on automatically when the thermostat senses the house is empty.
Nest products are made to work together. And they can even work with lights, locks, cameras, ovens and other products in your home.
Hive Thermostat
Hive was innovated by Centrica, owner of British Gas and now includes door and motion sensors, wireless plug switches and lights - all of which use the Honeycomb platform.
British Gas says the Hive "could save you up to £150 a year".
These are just two examples of popular automated thermostats, there are many more on the market.
The main thermostats tend to cost between £180 and £200 with other linked components costing less. If you want professional installation, this will typically cost an extra £50 - £100