Vivint Authorized Retailer Albany
Smart Security Specialists -- Your Vivint Authorized Dealer Covering Albany & Surrounding Areas

Smart home maintenance tips to keep your Albany system running properly

December 16, 2024
Homeowner changing the position of a home security camera.

Maintenance is crucial to various elements of our lives. You work out to keep your body fit and take your vehicle to the mechanic so it functions properly. Your Albany smart home is no different. Even though it requires less upkeep than your vehicle, you still must do several things to keep sensors and other equipment functioning smoothly. It’s not challenging, and we’ll make things even more effortless with these smart home maintenance tips.

Clean Hardware Is Key To Proper Function

Dust and grime are threats to sensors, camera lenses, and all electrical components. How reliably do you think your outside surveillance will identify prowlers if it’s obscured by cobwebs? Your smart home won’t look so smart if it’s not functioning as you expect. But you can help by performing these basic maintenance tasks:

  • Keep your lenses dirt-free by wiping them regularly with a microfiber towel gently dampened with a safe cleaning solution. Avoid paper towels that could scratch the lens, and never spray a liquid right onto the camera.
  • Don’t permit dust to settle on sensitive electronics. If contaminants work their way inside the protective exterior, it can damage those sensitive electrical components and hinder needed airflow. Even your central command panel's level, narrow top can accumulate dust.
  • When tidying up, quickly check to make sure your components are connected firmly and placed correctly.

It’s easy to keep your smart home components dirt-free, but you should do a couple of other things to ensure proper function.

Perform a quick test of your Albany security system

Have you not gotten a smartphone notification in some time? Your system could be working well, and your house well guarded, but it may also signify something is malfunctioning. Why not see for yourself by performing a brief check of your devices? Here’s how to proceed:

  • Play the part of an intruder and try to trigger your door and window sensors, motion sensors, or whatever devices you have. You can often set your system in “test mode” to avoid notifying your monitoring team.
  • Launch your home security mobile app and examine the video feed. Ensure the images are crisp and the camera is pointing where it is supposed to be.
  • If you have automation set up, verify it. Did the smart thermostat update settings at the specified time? Did your lights flip on or off as you wanted?
  • Make sure batteries are replaced routinely. Numerous systems will even alert you when they’re low.

Inspections can be completed periodically or at any point you believe a component is malfunctioning.

Is your system firmware current?

Those smart gadgets you have throughout your house don’t just function automatically. These connected components have firmware in place, so they operate as intended. In many instances, the firmware will update automatically, but not every time. Run the updates as soon as they’re available (your system should alert you) to prevent errors or security problems.

Get a reliable smart home in Albany from Vivint

Interested in an intuitive, easy-to-maintain smart home in Albany? Consult with the home security professionals at Vivint. Providing you the latest in exterior surveillance and automation, we have the right system for your family. Call (518) 900-7096 now to design your home’s security.