6 Common Homeowner Fears…and How to Conquer Them

October 13, 2021

Spooky season is upon us, which means we’ve got the scaries on our mind. But, it doesn’t take ghosts in the attic to stir up chills and unease in a homeowner. Having a home and family to look out for comes with a few worries. We’ve listed some of the most common homeowner fears, and how to conquer them using simple smart home devices and home security tips. 

1. Intruders or unexpected visitors

A mysterious and unexpected knock at the door or shadowy figures around your house are the stuff of horror movies. Your home should be a safe haven and the last thing you want is an intruder breaking in or a stranger sneaking around.

Remove the mystery with smart security cameras and a Video Doorbell that you can quickly and easily access through your Alarm.com app. You’ll be able to see exactly who’s at the door and respond, as well as monitor both inside and outside of your home.

Plus, with a professionally monitored system, you can rest easy knowing that authorities will be notified of any danger or suspicious activity.

2. Water leaks

Few things strike fear into a homeowner’s heart like the thought of an undetected leak. All it takes is a few minutes for a leaking pipe or split washer hose to get much worse, turning into a flood that could cost you big time.

Stay prepared with simple smart home devices to protect your home. Wireless water devices can fit in vulnerable areas like under sinks, behind washers, in attics, etc. With a Smart Water Valve, you can detect and shut down leaks, even when you aren’t home.

3. Fires & Carbon Monoxide

A raging fire or silent and invisible toxic fumes: very different monsters, but both are terrifying and extremely dangerous! Thankfully, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can easily be added to your home and integrated into your Alarm.com security system.

Not only will your detectors notify you of the danger, but it will contact authorities as well. Plus, they can work alongside other smart devices, like shutting off your Alarm.com thermostat to prevent the spreading of fumes.

4. Leaving the doors unlocked

You know that feeling when you’ve left your home, it’s too late to turn back and suddenly…you cannot remember if you closed your garage door on your way out? It’s enough to send a chill down your spine and get you into an instant state of unease.

Put your mind at ease with smart locks that you can lock and unlock, no matter where you are. You can even customize your “scenes” to automatically lock up when you’re on your way out.

5. Leaving pets home alone

Leaving our furry family members on their own can feel like leaving a piece of your heart behind. We worry about their safety and wellbeing, and we may feel suspicious about what they get up to while unsupervised.

With indoor cameras, you can keep an eye on them throughout the day. Plus, you can even give dog walkers access with a custom code on your smart lock and get notified as they come in and out.

6. Coming home in the dark

Kids aren’t the only ones afraid of the dark and the answer is always simple: add a little light. Smart lights can be easily automated to turn on at sunset, and off again in the morning. Or, you can use custom “scenes” to have your selected smart lights turn on to greet you when you arrive home. 

Lighting is an essential and powerful element of any home’s design. When designed with intention, lighting can not only make your home feel warmer and more welcoming, but it can increase productivity, highlight your favorite areas of your house, and add character. Plus, choosing the right bulbs and fixtures from your home can impact energy efficiency. 

There are four main types of lighting you should keep in mind when designing or revamping your home. Each serves its own purpose and comes in a variety of options.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting provides the overall illumination and sets the mood for a room. Typically, it floods the room with lighting from above, from ceiling-mounted lights and ceiling fans. Wall sconces can also provide enough lighting to brighten a room.

Of course, ambient lighting can come in a variety of styles which can work well in larger rooms like kitchens and living rooms. Ceiling lights can be dome-shaped flushed fixtures, or recessed lights for a sleeker and more minimal look. They can be a part of a ceiling fan or stand alone for a bold statement-making chandelier. Or, tall floor lamps can provide excellent ambient lighting, especially in rooms with high ceilings.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is more dedicated to style than function. With the use of directional track lights or spotlights, you can guide the eyes toward artwork or architectural elements within your home that deserve special attention.

This type of lighting can add character to your home, setting the stage for your favorite spaces and pieces to shine. Options like cove lighting can be installed near your tray ceiling or crown molding to bring those features to life.

Task Lighting

There are a lot of tasks and activities we perform in our homes on a daily basic. From cooking and preparing your morning coffee to reading, writing, and working at home. Task lighting can illuminate the necessary areas for you to do your best work. 

Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to brighten up the counter tops when you’re prepping meals, while also highlighting your beautiful backsplashes, countertop décor, coffee bar, and more. Then, when it’s time to settle in for the night, task lighting by your bedside can help you crack open a good book to wind down.

Natural Lighting

Never underestimate the power of natural lighting within your home. Sunlight streaming in through your windows can instantly make a home feel more welcoming and comfortable. Of course, while we have no power over the sun outside, we can manage the ways we incorporate it into our lighting design through smart shading.

With a variety of fabric options, you can let just enough light in to brighten your home, while also controlling unnecessary glares, or even keeping your bedroom dark and cozy.

Source: Control4

Get Smarter About Lighting

The lighting in your home should feel intuitive and comforting, not cumbersome and overwhelming. With so many lights in your house, it can help to integrate them all into your smart home system. This way, you can manage them all from a single app, or even automate them based on your routines and energy-management needs. Smart lighting systems can even make your home safer, so you never come home to a dark house, and you can deter intruders while you’re on vacation.

 Phoenix Systems offers free consultations with our smart home pros to help design and install lighting solutions that work for you.