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The home security industry is booming, with a market size of over $14.1 Billion in 2020 in the United States alone. The rise of smart home technology and DIY home security systems indicates that demand for home security systems will only continue to skyrocket in the coming decade.
What does this mean for homeowners? How can they make sure that their home and family are receiving the best, most accurate protection? We sat down with home security expert Spencer Maid, Chief Commercial Officer of Origin Wireless(Hex’s parent company), for a Q&A session to learn more about home security: the industry, the technology, and key considerations for homeowners. Spencer’s responses to top home security questions are below.
What are key things that every homeowner should know about home security?
Every homeowner, especially those looking to buy a system, should know that nearly all current security systems use the same analog technology that has been around for decades. They all have passive infrared sensors (PIRs), contact sensors that are complicated to install, are known for false alarms, and don’t provide valuable insights into what’s happening in your home.
Even newer DIY systems just changed the outside casing of the product to make it more visually appealing. It is like using a landline instead of the newest iPhone. Wi-Fi Sensing systems leave this outdated technology in the past, revolutionizing the industry.
What elements should homeowners look for in a home security system?
Homeowners should look for an affordable, easy-to-use, and reliable home security system. We often hear about people using security systems that receive an overwhelming number of false alarms from pets or even from the sun coming up, and they eventually turn off the entire system. Finding a system that is reliable and works with your everyday life will ensure your home is always secure, without headaches.
What are the advantages of DIY home security systems vs. professionally installed systems?
DIY home security has two major advantages over professionally installed systems: cost and flexibility. With professional systems, you’re paying for the installation, upsell of hardware, and the yearly contract. With professional installation, the system is usually hardwired into your home, so there’s no taking it with you if you move.
That’s why DIY is a much better option for those who are looking for a cost-effective and flexible solution. You can cancel monthly professional monitoring fees or activate monitoring during periods when you’re not home. It’s also easy to unplug and set up in a new location.
What are the benefits of professional monitoring in home security systems?
Knowing that a third party is available 24/7 and ready to act if there is a break-in in your home gives users complete peace of mind. Services like Noonlight also offer added protection against false alarms. Trusted agents will call the user if an alarm is triggered, to verify if emergency services are needed, and stay on the line until the issue is resolved. Break-ins and even false alarms can be scary, so professional monitoring services are worth every penny to make sure your home and loved ones are safe.
How can people minimize false alarms in their home security systems?
This is the great thing about new, digital security options like Hex Home. There are 10 digital sensitivity levels within the mobile app that users can slide up and down depending on their home environment. If you have a 30lb dog, you can go to a lower sensitivity level (1-3) and receive no false alarms. With traditional security systems, kids and pets will continue to trigger false alarms if they’re around.
How has the home security industry changed in the last few years? What are the most notable technological advances?
There has been a shift as consumers seek more affordable and flexible options in their home security. The industry is also moving away from analog technology, which most systems use today, to a more digital approach. WiFi Sensing has been able to achieve this by offering real-time motion analytics in a mobile app, so you can see when and where motion is occurring in your home. This is especially useful during a break-in, so you know if the intruder is still present or if they’ve left the home. The technology’s ability to adjust digital sensitivity levels for filtering out unwanted motion has changed the standards for false alarms in home security.
As technology evolves, what do you envision as the future of home security?
As this digital era of home security evolves, we will see further emphasis on creating extremely accurate and simple solutions for customers to use in their homes. At Origin Wireless, we hope to partner with technology companies so that any WiFi-enabled device can become a virtual sensor. Through this advancement, the area of coverage can be expanded and the setup even easier.
As the home security industry grows, so does the potential for ever-evolving technology. Homeowners should explore their options and consider the benefits of each system to ensure that their home, and their loved ones, stay safe.
