Getting started with security cameras, smart locks and thermostats
Security cameras, smart locks and smart thermostats are three of the easiest smart home upgrades for a beginner. Cameras and locks add a layer of security you can check from your phone. A smart thermostat learns your schedule and can lower your heating and cooling costs. Before you install any of them, the most important step is securing your home Wi-Fi network, since every one of these devices connects to it.
Safety comes first
Most smart home devices are low-voltage and battery powered, so the injury risk is usually about ladders and doors, not electricity. Still, a few situations call for extra care or a licensed professional.
- Working at height. Exterior cameras and doorbells often go above entry doors or on second-story eaves. Use a stable ladder on level ground and have someone nearby if you’re working above one story.
- Hardwired thermostats and doorbells. Many smart thermostats use low-voltage wiring (typically 24 volts), which is different from the 120/240-volt household circuits behind switches and outlets. If your existing thermostat has thick wires, an unusual wiring setup, or connects to a heat pump or boiler system you don’t understand, stop and call a licensed HVAC technician or electrician instead of guessing at the wiring.
- Anything behind a wall you can’t identify. If you open a wall plate and see wiring, conduit, or connections you don’t recognize, stop. Do not attempt to reroute or splice electrical wiring yourself.
For a full list of stop points on electrical, structural, and other high-risk home work, see our home project safety disclaimer.
Step 1: Secure your Wi-Fi network before you add devices
Every smart camera, lock, and thermostat connects to your home network, which means your network security becomes your smart home’s security. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends a short list of basic habits that protect any connected device in your home.
- Change the router’s default login username and password before connecting any new device.
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your Wi-Fi network, and set a strong, unique Wi-Fi password.
- Turn on automatic firmware updates for your router, or check for updates manually on a regular schedule.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for the camera, lock, and thermostat apps themselves, not just your router.
- Use a separate guest network for smart home devices when your router supports it, so a compromised device can’t reach your computers or phones directly.
- Be cautious about enabling Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), since it makes it easier for devices to connect automatically but can also make it easier for an attacker to reach them.
These steps come from CISA’s Secure Our World guidance and its home network security resources. Do this before you unbox any device, not after.
Step 2: Choose and set up a security camera
Start by deciding where you actually need coverage: front door, driveway, backyard, or all three. That answer shapes whether you need a wired or battery-powered camera and how many you need.
Cloud storage versus local storage
Most cameras offer two ways to store footage. Here’s how they compare, in plain terms:
- Cloud (subscription) storage: Footage saves to the manufacturer’s servers automatically. Usually requires a monthly or annual fee after a free trial period. Footage is easy to access remotely and is protected even if someone steals or damages the camera itself.
- Local storage (SD card or hub): Footage saves to a memory card or a local storage hub you own. No ongoing subscription cost in most cases. Footage can be lost if the card or hub is damaged, full, or physically taken along with the camera.
- Hybrid options: Some cameras support both, giving you a local backup along with cloud access. Check the product specifications for your specific model, since this varies by brand and camera line.
Whichever option you pick, treat the camera’s app account the same as a bank login: unique password, MFA turned on, and no sharing the login with people who don’t need it.
Step 3: Choose and set up a smart lock
A smart lock lets you lock and unlock your door with a phone, code, or key fob instead of only a physical key. Before buying one, check two things: your door’s existing deadbolt type and whether the lock you want needs a hardwired connection or runs on batteries.
- Most smart locks are designed to replace only the deadbolt and reuse your existing door hardware, which keeps installation to a screwdriver-level job for most standard doors.
- Battery-powered models are the simplest for a beginner and avoid any wiring work.
- Set a unique access code for each person who needs one, rather than sharing a single code, so you can remove access for just one person later if needed.
- Turn on any available notification setting so you get an alert when the door is locked or unlocked.
If your door frame is out of square, the deadbolt binds, or the strike plate needs to be moved, that’s a carpentry adjustment, not a smart lock problem. Fix the door fit first.
Step 4: Set up a programmable or smart thermostat
A programmable or smart thermostat lets your heating and cooling system follow a schedule instead of running at one temperature all day. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 hours a day from its normal setting, such as while you’re at work or asleep.
- A smart thermostat can automate that setback for you and adjust based on your actual schedule.
- Most systems use low-voltage wiring, and the thermostat’s included wiring diagram or app usually walks you through matching each wire to the correct terminal.
- If you’re not confident identifying your wiring, or your system includes a heat pump, boiler, or unusual zoning setup, have a licensed HVAC technician install it instead.
- After installation, set a realistic schedule rather than an aggressive one. A schedule you’ll actually leave alone saves more energy over a year than one you override constantly.
Actual savings vary by climate, home insulation, and how consistently the schedule is used, so treat this figure as a general benchmark rather than a guaranteed result for your home.
A simple decision path for beginners
- Secure your Wi-Fi network first. Change default router credentials and turn on WPA2/WPA3 encryption.
- Pick one device to start with based on your biggest concern: security (camera or lock) or cost savings (thermostat).
- Check the installation type. Battery-powered and low-voltage devices are beginner-friendly. Anything touching line-voltage wiring or unfamiliar HVAC wiring needs a professional.
- Turn on MFA and strong, unique passwords on every device app before you consider setup finished.
- Add the next device once the first one is working and secured.
Permits and local rules
Most battery-powered cameras, smart locks, and plug-in or low-voltage thermostats don’t require a permit in most areas because they don’t involve altering household electrical circuits. However, permit, code, and HOA rules vary by city, county, and neighborhood, and some exterior wiring or structural mounting work can trigger different requirements. Verify the rule for your specific address with your local building department or HOA before starting any exterior wiring or mounting work that goes beyond the manufacturer’s basic instructions.
Cost and evidence limits
This guide does not include specific product prices, since they change often and vary by brand, features, and retailer. The energy savings estimate above comes from the U.S. Department of Energy and reflects general national findings; your actual savings depend on your climate, insulation, HVAC system, and how consistently you use the schedule. For details on how we evaluate sources like these, see our sources and methodology page.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to install a smart thermostat, lock, or camera?
Usually not for battery-powered or low-voltage plug-in devices, but rules vary by location. Check with your local building department if your project involves new exterior wiring or structural mounting.
Should I choose cloud storage or local storage for my camera?
It depends on your priorities. Cloud storage protects footage even if the camera is stolen but usually costs a monthly fee. Local storage has no ongoing fee but can be lost if the card or hub is damaged or taken.
How much can a smart thermostat actually save me?
The U.S. Department of Energy states you can save up to about 10% a year on heating and cooling by setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 hours a day. Your actual savings will vary based on your home and climate.
Is it safe to connect these devices to my home Wi-Fi?
It can be, if you take basic precautions first. CISA recommends changing default router passwords, using WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, keeping firmware updated, and turning on multi-factor authentication on your device apps before connecting anything new.
Safety disclaimer
This article provides general educational information only. It is not a substitute for a licensed electrician, HVAC technician, or your local building department. Stop and get qualified help for any electrical work beyond plugging in a device or connecting standard low-voltage thermostat wiring you can positively identify. Permit, code, and HOA requirements vary by location and must be verified with the authority for your specific address. See our full home project safety disclaimer for more detail.