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Jul 15, 2023

How to Set Your Smart Home to Vacation Mode

Published: August 6, 2023 Before setting your smart home to vacation mode, there are a few items you’ll need to ensure a smooth and secure transition. These items will not only help you control your

Published: August 6, 2023

Before setting your smart home to vacation mode, there are a few items you’ll need to ensure a smooth and secure transition. These items will not only help you control your home remotely but also provide peace of mind while you’re away. Here are the essential items:

With these essential items in place, you can confidently set your smart home to vacation mode, knowing that your property is secure and energy-efficient. Now let’s dive into the specific steps you need to take to set up vacation mode for various smart home features.

One important aspect of preparing your smart home for vacation mode is ensuring your thermostat is set correctly. By adjusting your thermostat appropriately, you can save energy and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while you’re away. Here’s how to set your thermostat before leaving:

1. Activate Energy-Saving Mode: Most smart thermostats have an energy-saving mode or vacation mode option. Activate this mode to ensure your thermostat runs according to predefined settings optimized for energy efficiency. This will help reduce energy consumption while you’re not at home.

2. Adjust the Temperature: Set the temperature to a level that balances energy savings and comfort. Depending on the season, you may want to set the temperature slightly higher (in the summer) or lower (in the winter) than your usual preferences. Aim for a temperature that is close to the outdoor conditions to save energy without compromising your home’s temperature too much.

3. Program the Schedule: If your smart thermostat allows, program a schedule for your vacation period. For example, you can set the thermostat to raise the temperature during the day and lower it at night to mimic your normal routine. This gives the impression that someone is home and can help deter potential burglars.

4. Consider Geofencing: If supported by your smart thermostat, take advantage of geofencing capabilities. This feature adjusts the temperature based on your phone’s location. When you’re away, it can automatically activate your specified vacation temperature settings. When you return, it will adjust the temperature back to your regular preferences.

5. Use Remote Access: Ensure that your smart thermostat is connected to your home automation app or accessible through a web portal. This allows you to monitor and adjust the temperature remotely if needed. For example, if the weather changes unexpectedly, you can make temperature adjustments to keep your home comfortable.

6. Notify Family Members: If you have family members living in the same house who won’t be going on vacation, inform them about the adjusted temperature settings. This will prevent them from unnecessarily adjusting the thermostat and ensure the energy-saving mode remains in effect.

By following these steps, you can optimize your thermostat settings, save energy, and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home while you’re away. Setting the thermostat is just one piece of the puzzle; let’s move on to other important steps to ensure your smart home is fully prepared for vacation mode.

As you prepare your smart home for vacation mode, it’s important to ensure that lights and appliances are turned off or put in energy-saving mode. Doing so not only saves energy but also reduces the risk of accidents or potential malfunctions. Here’s how to handle the lights and appliances:

1. Set Lighting Schedules: Utilize your smart home automation system to create timed schedules for your lights. Set the lights to turn on and off at specific times to create the illusion that someone is home. This can help deter burglars and maintain a sense of normalcy while you’re away.

2. Install Smart Light Bulbs: Consider installing smart light bulbs that allow you to control them remotely. This way, you can turn off any lights that may have been accidentally left on or turn them on if you need to check on your property from a distance.

3. Power Down Appliances: Switch off and unplug non-essential appliances such as televisions, gaming consoles, computers, and small kitchen appliances. Not only does this save energy, but it also reduces the risk of electrical hazards caused by power surges or faulty devices.

4. Use Smart Plugs: If you have appliances that cannot be easily unplugged, you can utilize smart plugs. These plugs let you remotely control the power supply to devices connected to them. You can turn off or schedule the power to these appliances while you’re away.

5. Enable Vacation Modes: Check if your smart appliances have a vacation mode available. For example, some smart refrigerators have a vacation mode that reduces energy consumption while keeping essential items cool. Enable this mode to save energy and prevent any unpleasant surprises upon your return.

6. Check Security Lighting: Make sure that any outdoor security lighting, such as motion sensor lights, is properly functioning. These lights play a crucial role in deterring potential intruders, so it’s essential they are in good working order before you leave.

7. Consider Simulated Occupancy: Use smart home automation features that simulate occupancy. For example, you can program your smart lights to turn on and off in different rooms at random intervals. This creates the appearance that someone is home, further enhancing the security of your property.

8. Test Automated Systems: Prior to leaving for vacation, test all your automated systems to ensure they are working correctly. Check that lights turn on and off at the assigned times, and appliances respond to scheduled commands. This ensures that everything is functioning as expected and allows you to make any necessary adjustments.

By following these steps, you can minimize energy consumption, enhance home security, and reduce the risk of accidents or malfunctions while you’re away. Now, let’s move on to securing your doors and windows to complete the preparation for vacation mode.

When setting your smart home to vacation mode, it’s crucial to ensure that all doors and windows are properly secured. Taking these precautions will not only provide peace of mind while you’re away but also help prevent unauthorized access to your property. Here’s how to secure your doors and windows:

1. Check Door and Window Locks: Before leaving, make sure all doors and windows are closed and securely locked. Inspect each lock to ensure they are working properly and consider replacing any worn-out or faulty locks. This is the first line of defense against intruders.

2. Install Smart Door/Window Sensors: Consider installing smart door and window sensors that can be monitored remotely. These sensors will alert you if any doors or windows are opened or tampered with while you’re away. Set up notifications on your smartphone or home automation system to receive real-time alerts.

3. Use Security Bars and Reinforcements: For added security, install security bars or reinforcements on vulnerable windows and doors. These physical barriers make it more difficult for intruders to gain access to your home, providing an extra layer of protection.

4. Utilize Smart Door Locks: Upgrade your door locks to smart locks that allow remote control and monitoring. With smart locks, you can lock or unlock your doors from anywhere using your smartphone or through a web portal. You can also assign temporary access codes for trusted individuals such as house sitters or maintenance personnel.

5. Set Up Doorbell Cameras: Install a smart doorbell camera with video recording capabilities. These cameras not only act as a visual deterrent to potential intruders but also allow you to see who is at your door even when you’re not home. You can also communicate with visitors remotely using two-way audio.

6. Secure Sliding Doors and Windows: Sliding doors and windows can be vulnerable entry points. To secure them, install auxiliary locks or place a dowel or broom handle in the track to prevent them from being forced open. Consider adding glass break sensors or motion sensors near these areas for added security.

7. Install Window Film or Blinds: Consider using window film or blinds to enhance privacy and deter prying eyes. This prevents potential thieves from seeing into your home and reduces the chance of them targeting your property.

8. Inform Trusted Individuals: If you have trusted family members, friends, or neighbors, inform them of your vacation plans. Ask them to keep an eye on your property and report any suspicious activities. Provide them with your contact details in case of emergencies.

9. Test Security Systems: Test your security systems, including alarms, cameras, and motion sensors, before leaving. Ensure they are properly connected and functioning. Familiarize yourself with the notifications and alerts they provide, so you can respond promptly if any security breach occurs.

By taking these steps to secure your doors and windows, you can protect your home from potential break-ins and ensure a safe environment while you’re away. The next section will focus on the use of smart locks to further enhance home security in vacation mode.

Smart locks are an essential component of securing your smart home during vacation mode. By upgrading your traditional locks to smart locks, you can enhance security, have greater control over access to your home, and enjoy the convenience of remote management. Here’s how to make the most of smart locks:

1. Remote Locking and Unlocking: With smart locks, you can lock or unlock your doors from anywhere using a smartphone app or a web portal. This allows you to grant access to trusted individuals, such as family members or house sitters, even when you’re not physically present.

2. Assign Access Codes: Smart locks enable you to create and assign unique access codes to different individuals. This eliminates the need for physical keys and allows you to monitor who enters your home and at what time. You can easily revoke access codes as needed, ensuring enhanced security.

3. Receive Access Notifications: Set up notifications to receive alerts whenever someone locks or unlocks the door. This provides you with real-time information about who is accessing your home and improves overall security awareness.

4. Integration with Smart Home Systems: Smart locks can be integrated with other smart home devices, such as security cameras and doorbell cameras. This integration allows for greater control over your home’s security and enables you to monitor access in real-time.

5. Time-Sensitive Access Codes: Some smart locks offer the option to create time-sensitive access codes. This means you can grant temporary access to individuals for specific timeframes, making it convenient for service providers or guests without compromising long-term security.

6. Auto-Lock Feature: Take advantage of the auto-lock feature on your smart locks. This ensures that your doors automatically lock after a certain period of time, giving you peace of mind if you forget to lock up when leaving.

7. Backup Power and Mechanical Keys: Check if your smart locks have a backup power option in case of a power outage. Additionally, ensure that they come with mechanical keys as an alternative means of access. Having these contingencies in place ensures that you’re not locked out in an emergency.

8. Regular Firmware Updates: Keep your smart lock firmware up to date by installing any available updates. Firmware updates often include security enhancements to address any vulnerabilities and ensure your smart lock remains secure.

9. Test Smart Lock Functionality: Before leaving for vacation, test the functionality of your smart locks. Ensure that you can lock and unlock them remotely, and verify that access codes are working correctly. This will give you confidence in their reliability during your absence.

Implementing smart locks in your home provides an additional layer of security and convenience. The next section will cover the importance of installing cameras and security systems to monitor your property while you’re away.

Installing cameras and security systems is a crucial step in preparing your smart home for vacation mode. These measures provide increased surveillance and can deter potential burglars. Here’s how to effectively implement cameras and security systems:

1. Install Outdoor Cameras: Place outdoor security cameras in strategic locations around your property. This includes entry points such as doors, windows, and any other vulnerable areas. Outdoor cameras act as a visible deterrent and record any suspicious activity that may occur.

2. Position Indoor Cameras: Install indoor security cameras in areas where valuable items are kept, such as the living room or home office. Indoor cameras allow you to monitor activity inside your home when you’re away and can provide crucial evidence in the event of a break-in.

3. Choose the Right Camera Features: Consider cameras with features such as motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. Motion detection allows cameras to activate and record when they detect movement, while night vision ensures clear imaging in low-light conditions. Two-way audio enables you to communicate with anyone near the camera, such as visitors or potential intruders.

4. Connect Cameras to a Monitoring System: Integrate your cameras with a comprehensive monitoring system. This system enables you to view live feeds and recordings from your cameras, receive alerts for suspicious activity, and remotely control and manage your security system.

5. Set Up Motion Sensor Lights: Enhance your security system by installing motion sensor lights around your property. These lights automatically activate when motion is detected, illuminating the area and alerting you to activity. They act as a deterrent and increase visibility during nighttime hours.

6. Employ Smart Security Systems: Consider using a smart security system that includes features such as window and door sensors, motion detectors, and an alarm. These systems can be integrated with your smart home hub and provide notifications and alerts if any breaches occur. Some systems even have professional monitoring options for added peace of mind.

7. Display Warning Signs: Place signs indicating that your property is under surveillance. These signs, whether they indicate the presence of cameras or a security system, act as a deterrent, as potential intruders are less likely to target homes with visible security measures in place.

8. Test Security System Functionality: Test your cameras and security systems prior to leaving for vacation. Verify that cameras are properly recording, sensors are responsive, and alarms are functioning correctly. This ensures the system is working efficiently and provides you with accurate monitoring and alert capabilities.

9. Notify Authorities: If you have a professional monitoring service, inform them of your vacation dates and provide an emergency contact number. This ensures a prompt response if there is any suspicious activity detected at your property.

By implementing cameras and security systems, you can actively monitor your home while you’re away, deter potential intruders, and have peace of mind knowing that your property is protected. The next section will discuss the importance of managing automated water shut-offs to prevent potential damage while on vacation.

When setting your smart home to vacation mode, it’s important to consider managing automated water shut-offs. These systems can prevent potential water damage caused by leaks, burst pipes, or malfunctioning appliances while you’re away. Here’s how to effectively manage automated water shut-offs:

1. Install Automated Water Shut-Off Systems: Consider installing an automated water shut-off system. These systems are designed to detect leaks, shut off the water supply, and mitigate damage in real time. They can be integrated with your smart home hub for remote access and monitoring.

2. Position Water Sensors: Place water sensors in areas prone to leaks or water damage, such as near water heaters, sinks, or washing machines. These sensors detect water presence and trigger the automated shut-off system in case of a leak or excess water accumulation.

3. Test the Water Shut-Off System: Before leaving for vacation, test the functionality of the automated water shut-off system. Verify that the sensors detect water properly and that the shut-off valves activate as intended. This ensures that the system is operational and ready to handle any potential water-related emergencies.

4. Set Up Alerts: Configure your smart home system to send alerts or notifications to your smartphone if a water leak is detected. This allows you to respond promptly and take necessary action, such as contacting a plumber or remotely shutting off the water supply, even if you’re not at home.

5. Inform Trusted Individuals: If you have trusted individuals, such as neighbors or family members, inform them about the automated water shut-off system and provide them with instructions on how to address any potential water emergencies. They can assist in troubleshooting or contacting professionals if needed.

6. Consider Whole-House Shut-Off Valves: Install whole-house shut-off valves that can manually or remotely shut off the water supply to your entire home. This can be useful in situations where a catastrophic water event occurs or if you want complete peace of mind when leaving for an extended period.

7. Service and Maintenance: Ensure regular service and maintenance of your automated water shut-off system. This includes inspecting sensors, checking valve functionality, and updating software or firmware as needed. Regular maintenance helps ensure the system remains reliable and effective.

8. Prepare Plumbing System: Before leaving, consider draining and winterizing your plumbing system if you’ll be away during the colder months. This can help minimize the risk of frozen pipes and potential damage due to temperature fluctuations.

9. Water Leak Insurance: Evaluate your insurance coverage and consider adding water leak protection to your policy. This additional coverage can provide financial protection in the event of water damage resulting from leaks or burst pipes.

By effectively managing automated water shut-offs, you can minimize the risk of water damage and potential costly repairs while you’re away. The next section will address the importance of stopping mail and package delivery to maintain the appearance that someone is home during your vacation.

When preparing your smart home for vacation mode, it’s important to stop mail and package delivery to maintain the appearance that someone is home. Taking this step can help deter potential burglars who may target unattended homes. Here’s how to effectively stop mail and package delivery while you’re away:

1. Temporarily Forward Mail: Contact the postal service or visit their website to request a temporary mail forwarding service. This ensures that all mail sent to your address during your vacation will be forwarded to another designated address, such as a trusted friend or family member’s home.

2. Place a Vacation Hold on Newspaper Delivery: If you receive newspapers regularly, contact the news agency and request a vacation hold on deliveries. This suspends newspaper delivery for the duration of your vacation so that newspapers don’t accumulate on your doorstep, indicating an empty home.

3. Suspend Package Deliveries: If you’re expecting any packages to be delivered during your vacation, contact the delivery companies and arrange to have the deliveries suspended or rescheduled for a later date. Alternatively, have packages delivered to a trusted neighbor or held at a local post office or delivery center for convenient pickup upon your return.

4. Ask a Neighbor to Collect Mail: If you have a trusted neighbor, ask them to collect your mail for you. Provide them with a key or a temporary access code for your mailbox, and ask them to regularly check and collect any mail that arrives. This way, your mailbox won’t overflow, and it gives the impression someone is still home.

5. Set Up Mail Holding: Check if your local postal service offers mail holding services. This allows you to request that your mail be held at the post office for a specific period of time. You can then retrieve your accumulated mail once you return from vacation.

6. Install a Mailbox Alert System: Consider installing a smart mailbox alert system. These devices notify you when mail is delivered to your mailbox, either by sending a notification to your smartphone or triggering an alert on your home automation system. This way, you can be aware of mail deliveries even when you’re away.

7. Avoid Advertising Your Absence: Avoid publicly advertising your vacation plans on social media or in public areas. Sharing this information can potentially alert burglars that your home will be vacant, making it more susceptible to break-ins. Reserve vacation posts for after your return.

8. Temporary Hold on Subscriptions or Deliveries: If you receive regular subscription services, such as meal kits or grocery deliveries, consider temporarily pausing or rescheduling them. This ensures that deliveries won’t occur while you’re away, reducing the risk of perishable items spoiling or attracting unwanted attention.

9. Resume Regular Deliveries upon Return: Notify the postal service, delivery companies, and any temporarily paused subscription services of your return date. Request them to resume regular deliveries accordingly, so you can get back to your usual routine seamlessly.

By taking the necessary steps to stop mail and package delivery, you can maintain the illusion that someone is home and minimize the risk of burglaries during your vacation. The next section will focus on setting up remote access to control various home features while you’re away.

Setting up remote access to control various home features is an essential component of preparing your smart home for vacation mode. With remote access, you can monitor and manage different aspects of your home from anywhere in the world. Here’s how to set up remote access to your home features:

1. Smart Home Automation Hub: Ensure you have a smart home automation hub set up as the central control unit for your smart devices. This hub allows you to connect and manage all your devices through a single app or voice commands. It serves as the gateway for remote access to your home features.

2. Mobile Apps and Web Portals: Install the corresponding mobile apps or access the web portals provided by your smart home automation system or individual device manufacturers. These apps and portals allow you to control and monitor your home features remotely using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

3. Pair Devices with the Hub: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to pair your smart devices, such as lights, thermostats, cameras, and locks, with your smart home hub. This ensures that the devices are recognized by the hub and can communicate with each other effectively.

4. Connect to a Secure Network: Ensure that your smart home hub and devices are connected to a secure and reliable network. Use a strong and unique password for your Wi-Fi network and enable network encryption protocols, such as WPA2, for enhanced security.

5. Enable Remote Access: Within the settings of your smart home automation app, enable remote access to your home features. This will allow you to control and monitor your devices when you’re away, as long as you have an internet connection.

6. Test Remote Access: Before leaving for vacation, test the remote access functionality of your home features. Make sure you can control lights, adjust thermostats, view camera feeds, and lock/unlock doors remotely. This ensures that everything is working as intended and gives you peace of mind to manage your home from anywhere.

7. Customize Automation and Scenes: Take advantage of automation features offered by your smart home system. Create customized scenes that combine multiple actions, such as turning on lights and adjusting the thermostat simultaneously. This allows you to automate routines and enhance the security and energy efficiency of your home while you’re away.

8. Set Up Voice Control: If your smart home system supports voice control, enable and set up voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This allows you to control your home features using voice commands, providing a hands-free and convenient way to manage your smart devices remotely.

9. Check Compatibility and Updates: Regularly check for compatibility updates and firmware updates for your smart home devices. Keeping your devices up to date ensures optimal functionality, enhanced security, and compatibility with new features and technologies.

By setting up remote access to your home features, you can remotely control and monitor your smart devices, ensuring that your home is secure, energy-efficient, and comfortable while you’re away. The next section will discuss the importance of notifying neighbors and family members about your vacation plans.

When preparing your smart home for vacation mode, it is essential to notify your neighbors and trusted family members about your plans. Informing them about your absence allows them to keep an eye on your property and be aware of any suspicious activities. Here’s how to effectively notify neighbors and family members:

1. Inform Trusted Neighbors: Reach out to neighbors you trust and inform them about your vacation plans. Share the dates you’ll be away and provide them with your contact information. This way, they can keep an eye on your property, report any unusual activity, and potentially help address any emergencies that may arise.

2. Ask for Mail and Package Collection: Request that your trusted neighbors collect any mail or packages delivered during your absence. This helps maintain the appearance that someone is home and avoids piling up of mail or packages, which can signal an empty house to potential burglars.

3. Share Emergency Contact Information: Provide your neighbors with your emergency contact information in case they need to reach you. This includes your phone number, email address, and any other relevant contact details. Encourage them to reach out if they notice anything unusual or if they require immediate assistance.

4. Request Surveillance Assistance: If you have installed security cameras or a smart home surveillance system, let your neighbors know. Inform them that there are cameras monitoring your property and request that they pay extra attention to any unusual activity during your absence.

5. Ask for Regular Property Checks: Request that your neighbors periodically check your property while you’re away. This can include simple actions like ensuring windows and doors are secure or keeping an eye out for any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the vicinity.

6. Provide Trusted Key Holders: If you have trusted family members or friends nearby, consider providing them with a spare key to your home. In cases of emergencies or if your neighbors are unable to assist, these trusted individuals can access your home to address any issues that arise.

7. Share Alarm System Details: If you have an alarm system, provide your neighbors with details about the system, such as the alarm company’s contact information and any access codes they might need. This enables them to handle potential alarms effectively if they are triggered during your absence.

8. Request Yard Maintenance: If you’re going on an extended vacation, ask your neighbors for help in maintaining your yard. Request that they mow the lawn, water the plants, or perform any necessary outdoor maintenance tasks. This can create the appearance that someone is still actively caring for the property.

9. Express Gratitude: Lastly, express your gratitude and appreciation to your neighbors for their assistance. A simple thank you note or a small token of appreciation can go a long way in fostering a positive relationship and building trust within your neighborhood.

By notifying your neighbors and trusted family members about your vacation plans, you can rely on their support and assistance in keeping your property safe. The next section will discuss the importance of testing and double-checking all preparations before leaving for your vacation.

Before leaving for your vacation, it is crucial to thoroughly test and double-check all the preparations you’ve made for your smart home. Taking the time to ensure that everything is in working order will give you peace of mind during your trip and help prevent any potential issues from arising. Here’s what you need to test and double-check:

1. Smart Home Devices: Test all your smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, cameras, and locks. Make sure they respond correctly to commands from your smart home hub or mobile app. Check for any firmware updates and install them if necessary to ensure optimal performance.

2. Automation and Scenes: Double-check that any automation and scenes you’ve set up are functioning correctly. Test the scheduled events, such as lights turning on and off or the thermostat adjusting according to your presets. Make any adjustments if needed to ensure they align with your preferences and security requirements.

3. Security Systems and Alarms: Test your security systems and alarms to ensure they are properly armed and functioning as intended. Trigger the alarms to verify their effectiveness and ensure that any monitoring services you’ve subscribed to are working correctly.

4. Door and Window Locks: Double-check that all your door and window locks are functioning correctly. Make sure they latch securely and enable the appropriate security features, such as auto-locking or notification alerts. Replace any worn-out or faulty locks to ensure maximum security.

5. Surveillance Cameras: Test your surveillance cameras to ensure they provide clear monitoring and recording. Check the camera angles and adjust if necessary. Verify that you can access the camera feeds remotely through your mobile app or web portal to ensure you can monitor your property while you’re away.

6. Motion Sensors and Sensors: Test the sensitivity and responsiveness of your motion sensors and other sensors, such as water leak sensors or smoke detectors. Ensure that they are triggering the appropriate actions or alerts and that you receive notifications promptly.

7. Remote Access and Connectivity: Verify that you can remotely access and control your smart home features from your smartphone or web portal. Ensure that you have a stable and secure internet connection to maintain constant access to your home automation system while you’re traveling.

8. Backup Power Sources: If you have backup power sources for any critical devices or systems, such as your security cameras or automated water shut-off system, test them to ensure they work as intended. This will ensure that your systems continue to function even during power outages.

9. Verify Emergency Contacts: Double-check that you have provided the correct emergency contact information to your trusted neighbors, family members, and any monitoring services. Confirm that they are aware of their roles and responsibilities in case of an emergency situation.

By thoroughly testing and double-checking all preparations, you can address any potential issues or shortcomings before you leave for your vacation. This will give you confidence in the security and functionality of your smart home, allowing you to enjoy a worry-free trip.