Deter mode is a feature developed by Vivint, a Home Security System firm that operates in the United States of America. Vivint Security system enables homeowners with children, pets, or the elderly to discourage those who may want to intrude into their homes by creating an impression that the house is occupied during such times when it is empty.
Vivint Vivint is amongst the largest home automation and security firm based in North America. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Vivint was established in 1999 to offer professionally installed home security systems with home automation and energy management features that operate through an interface on a smartphone, tablet, or the final control panel known as Vivint SkyControl located in the home of the customer.
Vivint systems are then professionally installed in the home according to the layout of the house and the needs of the customer after a no-cost home consultation. The company follows the direct selling approach through consultative salespeople with a focus on assisting homeowners make informed decisions.
Vivint has a wide range of home security and automation solutions including indoor and outdoor cameras, door/window sensors, motion detectors, fire & carbon monoxide alarms, water leak sensors, smart door locks, garage doors, thermostats, light dimmers & switches, and integration with Amazon Alexa.
The company offers consumers the possibility of choosing between fixed monthly plans and contracts that can last from 36 to 60 months. Vivint system basic package costs $29. 99 per month for professional monitoring and the prices go higher depending on the security, automation, and energy products the customer requires.
What is Deter Mode?
Deter mode is one of the features that are under the Vivint security system, and it helps to prevent intruders by creating the illusion that the houses are occupied. Deter mode enables different parts of the home’s Vivint system to be set to start running when the home is empty at the scheduled time.
Deter mode is designed to result in enough visible activity within and around the house to dissuade potential burglars into thinking that it is inhabited. This automatic process reduces the likelihood of a criminal breaking into the home and trying to neutralize the security measures.
About Deter Mode Deter mode is an offshoot of the reward mode and is used to reduce undesirable behaviors in children. Some of the options open to Vivint users to set the Deter mode feature when they cannot be at home for a long time including when at work, or on a vacation. Interrupt mode functions through operating lights, TVs, window blinds, and HVAC systems to mimic the normal activity of homeowners.
How does Deter mode work with different Vivint system components?
Interior and Exterior Lights: It is also possible to program lighting schedules to switch on or off different lights throughout the home during a time when the occupants would be at home. These schedules ensure that the home appears to be active during the night.
HVAC System: There are specific models of thermostats known as smart ones that can be set to ensure the temperature in homes returns to normal. This automation keeps the home looking occupied and gives the illusion that someone is always home.
Blinds and Shades: Schedules are used to turn on/off motorized blinds at certain times to give an impression that some activity is being performed. The lights can also be seen when blinds are open.
Televisions: Suppose homeowners are watching TV or using other devices connected to the Vivint Automation platform; the TV will be set to turn on and off at the assigned time. Most of the features of deter mode are that it even allows users to preset a few favorite channels to turn on.
In addition to those automated activities, there are two additional features available in Deter mode, namely Greet and Inform. Greet uses the speakers installed indoors to play a recorded message informing anyone passing by that the house is occupied as the Deter mode schedule is on. Inform works in the same manner, to periodically being a message to unknown visitors at the home that the home is being monitored by a security system.
Customizing Deter Mode On the advantages side, Deter mode would be flexible, especially on the Vivint systems. Users have control over which components function within Deter mode and when the automated schedules are set. This makes it possible for Deter mode to emulate normal home life behaviors.
These include the SkyControl panel, the mobile application, and the Vivint website where the owners can program Deter mode schedules before they head for their vacation. This is under the account dashboard, in the automation section, under modes, customers can choose Deter mode, and then switch the on/off button to enable or disable integration with other system devices.
This way, the platform allows for setting up permanent or temporary Deter mode schedules for one time, daily, or per week. Night shifts and day shift schedules can also vary depending on whether the week is a working week or not. It is also possible to schedule only particular dates for having Deter mode automation and that is through a few taps from a smartphone.
The present article aims to provide information on how to make the best of Deter Mode. Although the Deter mode feature is included in all Vivint systems, the way homeowners will use it varies depending on the products and packages they wish to implement in their homes. The more sophisticated the automation and security layer that the Borg possesses, the more realistic Deter mode can mimic normal behavior.
Some tips to maximize the effectiveness of Deter mode:
Ensure that interior and exterior lighting are installed and can be fully controlled automatically via established schedules. Thus, the more lighting activity is going to be noticeable the more realistic.
Integrate motorized window shades with set schedules for opening and closing them. Such movement, if noticed from the outside, prevents any unauthorized person from penetrating the building.
As for suggestions, it would be useful to discuss the use of smart door locks to make entrances and exits appear ordinary.
Ensure to installation of indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras properly to cover activity when activated by Deter mode.
While creating the Deter mode schedules always ensure they are set at different times of the day and days of the week. Randomness looks more realistic.
It is recommended to use Greet and Inform messages from time to time to help indicate the home is occupied.
Check back over video clips and camera activity notifications after a session in Deter mode to confirm that lighting schedules and device triggers are achieving their intended deterrent purpose.
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