6 Misconceptions about Smart Locks
6 Misconceptions About Smart Locks
There is no denying that the smart home technology craze is upon us.
It can feel scary, but if you’re just entering the market and feel like you don’t have the know-how, fear not.
In this article we will bust six common myths and misconceptions on the topic of digital door locks.
Read on to enjoy the (many) advantages smart locks can bring to your everyday routine, without any unpleasant surprises.
1. Smart locks are hard to install
First things first. As consumers, the first thought on our minds is often 'how can this device work for me?'
With smart locks, the general proposition sounds great - keyless entry, remote control from your smartphone, increased control on who accesses your front door, etc.
But, all these great perks may suddenly fade when reality kicks in, and you realize you don’t know the first thing about setting it up yourself.
Contrary to popular belief, the installation of a new smart lock is fairly simple and takes around 30 minutes. Some electronic door locks like Keymitt work with the existing deadbolt, while some might require a complete mechanism swap. Meaning, both the strike plate and deadbolt are unscrewed and the old lock is removed to give space to the internal parts of the new digital lock. There is no wiring involved and most keyless locks are battery powered. They can be easily snapped into place.
Then, the set up of apps, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or code takes only a few more minutes.
An easy to follow guide is available to avoid set-up frustration and ensure the success of home automation adoption in all households. Choosing to install a retrofitting smart lock is easy and as simple as assembling IKEA furniture.
2. Smart locks can be easily hacked
Another common concern regarding keyless locks is ‘exactly how safe are they against hackers’? There is a growing fear when it comes to the security of Internet-connected devices and keyless entry systems - especially when this involves the safety of one’s home against intruders and thieves.
Of course, this is a legitimate point. We all know that with technological disruptions comes initial mistrust. However, electronic digital locks tied into home automation systems (aka voice assistants Alexa, Apple HomeKit) are usually configured to use wireless communication with an additional encryption layer managed by the home assistants. As for smart locks that use Wi-Fi technology, those use your home network’s WPA/WPA2 encryption, with an additional end-to-end encryption based on digital certificates, similar to what your bank uses to protect your access to manage your funds online.
In comparison to the traditional security systems currently in place - which are much easier to tamper with - electronic door locks represent a more secure and practical option for homeowners.
The short answer is: smart locks are virtually impossible to hack.
3. If anything happens to my smartphone I will lose access to my smart lock
Living in a tech-enabled era, we as a society rely more and more on smartphone apps to perform basic everyday tasks.
This ranges from basic messaging and reading the news, to online banking and so on. There are pros and cons to this, but one thing is true: the risk of losing a mobile device would bring anyone unsettling thoughts.
The concern of 'if I lose my smartphone, whoever has it will gain access to my information' often keeps people from implementing net-enabled locks in their homes - when in reality that is not quite how this works.
Most keyless systems - if not all of them - allow you to log in from different devices, and remotely change the access code to your smart door locks. In case you might not remember your code, immediately contact the brand's Customer Support - and voila! They will provide you with a new PIN code, and you'll get back access to your smart lock.
4. Smart locks don’t work during power outages
All smart locks are powered by batteries. Therefore, in case of a power outage at your home, the electric lock will continue to function normally (at least the models that use BLE for communication which your smartphone can connect to directly, such as Keymitt). So no need to lose your cool over a little power failure!
Electronic door locks run autonomously and you will receive constant updates on battery life status on your mobile device.
However, in case the smart lock runs out of battery, we’d advise you to keep a copy of a physical key in an accessible place (i.e. at your neighbors’ house). That way if there is ever any sort of emergency, you’ll be well-prepared.
5. Smart locks are not worth the investment
Another common misconception is to believe all smart-home devices are overpriced.
While smart locks can be more expensive than traditional door locks there are more pros than cons to this investment.
As each prospective customer has a specific set of demands and expectations, some of the cons may include a larger investment and a constant need to monitor its battery life in order to ensure that there are no malfunctions - which for some might turn this into an unattractive proposition.
However, the pros of owning a smart lock include perks such as a remote access to your home security system (no need for old keys!), increased security, flexibility in sharing access, constant control on who comes in/goes out, stylish designs - and the list goes on. Prices can also vary between different models - turning some of them into more attractive offers than others.
Ultimately, most would say that digital door locks' special features make their value soar. Not to mention, there’s surely a model that matches your needs and budget.
6. Smart locks don’t work during strong storms
Having a smart lock that works on batteries and installed from inside the house, you can be sure that no weather changes will ever lock you in or outside your home. Rest assured - your smart lock will work to keep you safe.
So... Why should you buy a smart lock?
Smart locks remove the mental burden you did not know you had.
Sure, regular locks might do the job of you coming back home at the end of the day to all your belongings and a peaceful sleep.
On the other hand, electronic locks actively make life easier. A beginner's guide to smart home products will certainly be useful to you if you want to improve your house and make your life convenient.
You'll never have to worry about leaving the door unlocked on your way to work, forgetting to leave a spare key under the doormat, or having to get up each time to unlock the door for visitors. There’ll be no need for constantly looking for your keys because there is no need for physical keys at all!