Are Home Security and Home Automation Still Separate Things​?

A consumer could be forgiven for assuming that home security and home automation are essentially the same thing. They are so closely integrated in some brands that drawing a line of distinction is challenging. Still, the industry itself sees a difference between home security and automation.

Security Is About One Thing

The best way to understand the difference between home security and home automation is analyzing the purpose of each. Home security is about one thing: safety. Security devices like cameras and motion sensors act as deterrents against crime. And when crimes do occur, cameras provide video evidence investigators and prosecutors can utilize.

Also consider that home security is not exclusively about protection against burglary and home invasion. It can also be an effective deterrent to car break-ins, vandalism, and other types of property crimes. And do not forget monitoring for smoke, carbon monoxide, and water.

A comprehensive system from a brand like Vivint Home Security monitors for all sorts of emergencies that can jeopardize homeowner safety. A comparable DIY system can offer the same level of protection, whether a person chooses to subscribe to professional monitoring or monitor the system himself.

Automation Is About Two Things

Where home security is about one thing, home automation is about two: efficiency and convenience. On the efficiency side of things, home automation devices help property owners save money on heating and cooling, lighting, and irrigation.

A smart thermostat can make a home’s HVAC system more efficient by more carefully controlling when the system heats and cools. Automated lighting can bring a stop to the practice of wasting electricity by lighting rooms that are unoccupied. And of course, automated irrigation can save water.

On the convenience side of things, being able to program lighting eliminates the need to walk around the house turning lights on and off. Running a smart thermostat eliminates the need to remember to adjust the temperature before going to bed or arriving home from work.

There Is Plenty of Overlap

A comprehensive review of home security and automation devices clearly shows plenty of overlap. Let us go back to automated lighting. Yes, it can be super convenient. Being able to turn on the master bedroom lights by issuing a verbal command to a smart speaker is more convenient than fumbling around for the light switch in the dark. But automated lighting can also enhance security.

When you’re away, an automation routine can simulate different lights turning on and off at different times. You can simulate your normal routine so that no one knows you are not home. In addition, the tap of a phone or a verbal command can turn the lights on as you’re pulling in the driveway. You are safer when you don’t have to enter a dark house.

On the other side of the equation, consider the smart lock. It is considered a home security device in the sense that it prevents unauthorized entry. It’s no different from any other kind of lock from a security standpoint. But from a convenience standpoint, a smart lock eliminates the need to use your keys. That can be pretty convenient when your hands are full, and you need to get into the house.

Different, But Not by That Much

Home automation and security are still considered distinct and separate things. But as time goes on, the line of distinction is blurring. They aren’t as different as they used to be. And in fact, brands are integrating security and automation through new devices and software that are working to make our homes safer, more efficient, and more convenient – by a lot.