One argument against smart home automation is that we do not really need the devices smart technology offers. For example, smart locks are unnecessary. We all managed to lock our doors safely long before they were a thing. But there is another side to that coin: once you experience the convenience of a smart lock, it is hard to go back.
Vivint Home Security includes smart locks for customers who want them in their systems. A smart lock is essentially a deadbolt with a motorized mechanism that can be activated via a keypad, fingerprint scanner, etc. For me, the argument in favor of smart locks is the convenience they offer. Here are five scenarios for which a smart lock is more convenient than a traditional keyed unit:
1. Arriving Home With Hands Full
I remember when my three kids were young. My wife and I would arrive home with them in tow, along with a few bags of groceries. Whoever was unlocking the door had to free up one hand to fumble with the keys. It was never an easy task, but it was made much harder at night or during bad weather.
A smart lock solves that problem with a companion mobile app. When my wife and I arrive home now, I tap a button on the phone before I ever get out of the car. The door automatically unlocks. And if I am too lazy to do that, I can just tell my phone to unlock the door and it will.
2. Managing Service Providers
Smart locks are very handy when it comes to managing service providers. These providers could be anything from the HVAC technician to a plumber to a maid who comes in once a week to clean up. With a smart lock, you do not have to issue keys. That instantly makes your home safer.
Here is an example: imagine you have a dog that needs walking twice daily. You have hired a service provider to do it for you. You can program an access code to let her in. Better yet, you can program the code to only be usable at certain times of the day. This way, she doesn’t have constant access to your home. You can also track when she arrives and leaves.
3. Admitting Guests Remotely
This third scenario is what actually convinced me just how valuable smart locks are. Let’s say you have friends coming for dinner, but you’re running late. You do not want them sitting outside in the car, so you unlock the door remotely. They step inside and make themselves comfortable while you battle rush-hour traffic. Brilliant!
4. Forgetting to Lock the Door
How many times have you sat at your desk wondering whether you locked the door when you left for work? The anxiety such thoughts can produce might ruin your entire day. But with a smart lock, your anxiety is gone. One look at your phone will tell you whether the door is locked. And if it is not, you can lock it on the spot.
5. Managing a Rental
Finally, many Americans are now dedicating certain portions of their homes to vacation rentals. Securing rentals with a smart lock eliminates the need for keys that are easily lost or stolen. Access codes can be changed with every guest so that no one can return later and gain entry.
There are many reasons to consider smart locks. The five discussed in this post are just the beginning. Use your imagination. How could a smart lock make your life more convenient?