How a smart home maintenance plan can bring you peace of mind

Regular maintenance for smart home systems is just as important as it is for your furnace, gutters, plumbing, smoke detectors and other essential home systems. If it keeps your home functional, durable and secure, it needs to be checked and cared for on a regular basis.

How a service and maintenance plan helps

By setting up a service and maintenance plan for your smart home system, you can:

• Prevent unwelcome surprises. It’s no fun when your smart appliances conk out, your home security system beeps for no reason, or your furnace fails to kick on. The causes are often preventable, such as a dead battery, a sensor malfunction or outdated software. A good service and maintenance plan will troubleshoot issues like these and prevent unwelcome hiccups.

• Peace of mind when breakdowns do occur. Like any old-school appliance or new-fangled technology, breakdowns can happen under the best of circumstances. The right plan will help you assess and fix the problem. You’ll have an expert in your corner.

• Ensure cybersecurity. Regular software upgrades are essential for a secure system and are an important part of any service and maintenance plan. The professionals you hire can also help you adjust your privacy settings, see that your wireless connections are secure, and check whether your devices are encrypted.

• Spot hardware wear and tear. It’s easy to forget that hardware is part of a smart home, too. Something as simple as dust accumulation can mess with a sensor, a security camera or AV equipment. With a plan, you can schedule regular checkups.

• Adapt to evolving needs. The list of functions and devices possible in a smart home can seem endless — and tempting. As your household adds new features, you’ll need to make sure you have the right amount of bandwidth. Another concern is compatibility. A service and maintenance plan will help you stay on top of these issues.