Smart home maintenance suggestions to keep your New Haven system running properly

Maintenance is vital to many parts of our lives. You exercise to keep your body in shape and take your vehicle to the shop so it runs reliably. Your New Haven smart home is no different. While it requires less attention than your family SUV, you still need to do some things to keep components functioning smoothly. It’s not challenging, and we’ll make it even easier with the following smart home maintenance recommendations.

Clean Hardware Is Vital To Reliable Function

Dirt and dust are threats to sensors, video camera lenses, and all electrical gadgets. How well do you believe your outside surveillance will identify intruders if it’s coated in cobwebs? Your smart home won’t seem so smart when it’s not working as you expect. But you can help by doing these simple maintenance chores:

• Keep your surveillance lenses spotless by wiping them down periodically with a microfiber towel gently dampened with a safe cleaning solution. Avoid paper towels that can harm the lens, and never spray a liquid straight onto the camera.
• Avoid letting dust accumulate on delicate electronics. If contaminants get inside the outer exterior, it can damage those sensitive electrical parts and halt needed air movement. Even your central command panel's narrow, flat top can collect dust.
• When dusting or cleaning, quickly inspect to make certain your components are connected firmly and placed appropriately.

It’s easy to keep your smart home components dirt-free, but you can do some other things to maintain performance.

Do a quick inspection of your New Haven security system

Have you not gotten a smartphone notification in some time? Your system could be working well, and your house well protected, but it could also indicate there is an issue. How about finding out by conducting a quick assessment of your components? Here’s what you can do:

• Play the role of a burglar and see if you can activate your access point sensors, motion sensors, or additional devices you have. You can typically set your system in “test mode” to avoid notifying your monitoring company.
• Go into your home security smartphone app and check the video feed. Determine if the images are crisp and the camera is pointing where it should.
• If you have automation configured, verify it. Did the smart thermostat update settings at the right time? Did your lights turn on or off as expected?
• Make sure batteries are switched out routinely. Some systems will even alert you when they’re getting low.

Inspections can be completed periodically or whenever you believe a device is failing.

Is your system firmware updated?

Those smart tools you have around your house don’t just run on their own. These connected components have firmware installed, so they operate properly. In many instances, the firmware will automatically update, but not every time. Run the updates as soon as they’re available (your system will probably notify you) to prevent performance or security problems.

Get a reliable smart home in New Haven from Vivint

Interested in an intuitive, simple-to-maintain smart home in New Haven? Connect with the home security specialists at Vivint. Featuring the best in home automation and outdoor surveillance, we have the right system for your family. Reach out to (203) 625-1716 today to get started.