Last Updated on February 28, 2022 by Alarm New England
New technology in the home security market is starting to eliminate the need for you to carry around house keys with you. But just how safe are electronic door locks?
This article will address new trends in home locking systems and how safe, reliable and user friendly they are.
Are Electronic Door Locks Right for You?
Today’s high-tech locks use biometric access, Wi-Fi systems and Bluetooth. If any of these terms are unfamiliar to you, you may not be ready to give up your keys just yet.
On the other hand, if you are a tech-savvy homeowner who loves all the latest in smart home innovation, electronic door locks may be a great option for you to consider adding on to your home security system.
Cutting-Edge Electronic Door Lock Technology
Here are some of the latest electronic door locking technology to hit the market:
- Biometric locks that utilize fingerprint recognition to access your home.
- Key fob locks or proximity locks allow you to carry a key fob that will unlock your door as you move towards it and lock it as you move away from it. Similar technology is popular with automobiles; many manufacturers boast “keyless entry” as a feature of newer car models.
- Smartphone locks or keyless deadbolts are controlled by your cell phone which syncs with your lock via Bluetooth. This technology allows you to control entrance to your home remotely, without you even being there, and control we comes and goes into your home.
Some locks will even alert you with a text when someone enters your home. Depending on which home automation protocol your devices use to communicate with each other, you can tie your locks into the same app as your thermostats and lighting systems.
Are Electronic Door Locks Safer than Regular Locks?
Not always. The main benefit of an electronic door lock is its convenience and ease of use. However, some electronic locks alert you to any entry into your home, providing an additional security benefit that traditional locks cannot.
Check out our guide to reinforcing your doors to learn about steps you can take to secure the entrances to your home.
Problems with Electronic Door Locks
Since electronic door locks rely heavily on technology, and technology doesn’t always work according to plan, there is a possibility that the lock will encounter an error and not respond to your phone or remote.
Most electronic door locks come with a manual lock that you can open using a key, providing you with an alternative way to get in should the software encounter issues.
There are a number of reasons why your electronic door lock may not work including:
- A power outage at your home
- Failed circuit boards
- Smart phone failure
Even so, such occurrences are rare and our customers rarely have issues with the smart locks in their system. If you are a tech-savvy individual who likes to test out the latest gadgets, you’ll likely find this to be a convenient addition to your home. If not, you should probably keep it simple and stick with traditional locks.
