The smart home has grown from an idea to a standard and changes daily in tandem with the evolution of other lifestyle essentials and corresponding technological advances.

A smart homeowner is a wise homeowner: According to a 2013 Consumer Electronics Association study*, 58% of consumers are familiar with home automation systems, presenting sizable market opportunities. Locks have transformed from mechanical to electronic and from electronic to smart. Smart locks serve as a natural building block for networked access control, as do most other smart tools.

At a recent industry seminar, Keith Brandon, Director of Residential Access Solutions at Kwikset, and Jim Nye, VP Product Management at Vivint presented insights on safety and control concerns from the modern homeowner. Due to evolving technology and an ever-present desire for home security options, they address safety needs, control requests, and convenience factors. Read on to explore their insights and key points:

Initially driven by energy savings, modern home control system designs are now primarily fueled by their undisputed convenience and safety components. The additional energy savings which result from a smart home serves as an extra bonus many environmentally conscious homeowners find as an attractive incentive.

Industry professionals can easily identify the benefits and advancements aligned with smart locks, but assisting you with the smart lock conversion sometimes poses a challenge. While the majority of homeowners recognize the outstanding factors motivating a smart lock purchase decision, some are still inclined to seek more traditional locks, and may perceive those to be the solution to the best in home security. Ask for demonstrations and education on smart locks so that you can make the most informed decision possible.

The purchase decision is often an emotional one. If you feel smart locks are safe and trustworthy, and if lock or home improvement professionals can demonstrate the ease and user-friendly process, you can rely on smart home technology to ensure your families and loved ones are safe and secure.

Important Considerations When Choosing a Connected Lock

• Do you travel often? It is important to know the security status of your home while you are away.
• Do you have children that arrive home from school while you are away? Having that ability to know when your child enters and/or exits the home can provide peace of mind when you are not there.
• Do you have service personnel that you need to manage remotely? Connected locks enable you to provide remote access to others 24/7.

These details inspire customization and enable professionals to help to integrate the best access control solution for your home. Learn more about connected locks here.

The future of home control and smart locks is a future filled with opportunity. With increased capabilities, such as mobile control and connected Bluetooth configurations, “aging in place” functions, and an overall greater market adaption, Kwikset and leading security companies are on a mission to ensure you are aware of smart technology and how it applies to an enhanced quality of life. Driven by technology and developed with you in mind, smart home security requires a passionate approach by professionals and ongoing industry education in order to successfully market and deliver smart technology as the standard in home security.

Don’t know what lock is best for you? Check out our Product Selector to help you begin the selection process. Interested in electronic lock technology? Check out our page dedicated to explaining their security and convenience.

Consumer Electronics Association, Adoption and Usage of Home Automation Technologies (Key Findings, p. 7).  © 2013 Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®). All rights reserved. Research. CE.org