LINKING LIGHTING FOR INCREASED SECURITY

How integrating connected lighting with security elevates customer peace-of-mind. By Clint Choate, Snap One Senior Director, Security Market.

When it comes to security, there is one feature that remains underutilised that CI pros can help with: connected lighting. It’s no secret that security and surveillance systems help protect and monitor homes, but the impact of lighting integration into these systems is vastly unknown.

Lighting integration deters intruders, improves video capture quality, and generally increases safety. As custom installers, we can ensure that homeowners understand the benefit of linking lighting and security systems to improve functionality.

PROACTIVE SECURITY

Ever since the first window sensors and alarms began foiling criminals in the act, homeowners have largely viewed security systems as reactive solutions that take action only after a crime has been committed, sounding alarms and contacting law enforcement. Lighting, on the other hand, is a proactive solution because it can actually prevent an intrusion or incident from occurring.

There are two main proactive effects of security lighting: presenting a lived-in appearance and lighting exterior areas to expose trespassers. With the ability to connect both interior and exterior light fixtures and set daily schedules for each one, security lighting solutions make homes look convincingly occupied when no one is home, an idea we call ‘mockupancy’. It’s incredible how effective it can be to make sure a porch light and one or two interior lights are on, especially if they are set to change to look as though people are walking through the home.

Exterior security lighting with motion sensors may be even more impactful, as it can scare off potential criminals and greatly improve the quality of surveillance recordings. In the case of a theft or break-in, a standard response is for both interior and exterior lights to turn on or flash on and off, alerting neighbours and clearly identifying the house for responding officers. Having the exterior lights turn on also ensures the clearest possible video recordings to help law enforcement identify and apprehend suspects.

VERSATILE ADD-ONS

The facts are clear that lighting functions improve the effectiveness of security and surveillance systems, and it’s important for customers to know these added features won’t cost an arm and a leg or require replacing existing equipment. The best solution is one that is easy to deploy and operate and doesn’t use specialty wiring. Many systems are compatible with Z-wave devices, which can communicate with Z-wave light switches and make them part of the security system events.

There are plenty of options for interested customers, from add-ons to smart lighting systems to full home control and automation solutions. With so many products to choose from, there is a security and lighting solution for nearly any budget, and integrators can create custom packages to fit any need.

Selling a customer on a lighting upgrade, whether up-front or for a retrofit project, can be as simple as telling them their cameras will look better at night or their lights will come on automatically when they drive up the driveway, which are lifestyle benefits that extend beyond security. For homeowners exclusively concerned about security, the strongest argument is the major increase in criminal deterrence that connected lighting and ‘mockupancy’ schedules can provide.

LEAVE ROOM FOR EXPANSION

A core expectation of modern installations is that owners will want to expand the solution down the line, so it’s crucial to use products that allow for future expansion and multi-system integration. This not only keeps the client interested and attentive to how their home electronic systems can be more useful, it also shows them that you’re looking out for their long-term safety and happiness, and not just trying to sell a one-anddone project. The last thing an integrator wants is a customer to forget about them!

Peace of mind and security can be increased with a more integrated approach

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