Learn How to Deter Burglary and Theft on Your California Property

Since the original burglar alarm was manufactured in the mid-1850s, home security has evolved leaps and bounds. Not only are there burglar alarms that make a siren sound upon unwanted entry, but systems now include motion detection, surveillance cameras, tracking devices and more to protect the modern American home. There are a few security measures you can take in order to keep your California property safer to deter burglary and theft. In this blog, we’ll cover a few of the ways you can use a smart home security system to protect your Newport Beach, CA home. Read on to learn more!

SEE ALSO: The Top 2 Home Security Camera Installation Locations

Video Doorbells & Smart Locks

Online ordering and direct to consumer shipping have blown up seemingly overnight! This influx in package deliveries has resulted in an increase in porch pirates – the ne’er-do-wells who take advantage of your unattended packages on your porch. To avoid dealing with package thievery, invest in a video doorbell and smart locks. This combination of devices serves as an integral piece to your smart home security system. A video doorbell allows you to see and communicate with people that not only ring your doorbell but even those that trigger motion on your front porch. By adding smart locks, not only can you can view and speak with the delivery person that rings your doorbell,  you can also unlock your front door to allow them to place the package inside your doorway. Once the delivery person has completed this task, lock the smart lock remotely from your smart device. No more unattended packages left to entice thieves!

Cellular Backup

Many traditional security systems communicate with an alarm company via a conventional landline. While this works well in most instances, burglars have been known to cut the phone line to prevent the alarm signal from going through to the company. Other issues like bad weather or fire could also cause the landline to become damaged or otherwise unable to communicate. Thankfully, many smart security systems provide additional backup protection for this issue. A cellular backup assists you in receiving 24/7 continuous monitoring with no phone or internet connection. It operates wirelessly on a dedicated cellular network. Your smart home security system is left communicating with your monitoring system without a hitch.

Motion Detection

While surveillance cameras can be placed throughout your property to help you keep an eye out and deter potential thieves, you can also use them in conjunction with motion sensors. Motion sensors can trigger surveillance cameras to begin recording and send you a mobile alert of the action. From your smart device, you can view live footage of the incident and determine if further action should be taken – perhaps call the authorities – or if there’s no cause for alarm.   Launch Systems can design a smart home security system that’s perfect and unique to your family’s individual security needs. Call us today at (949) 515-7030, chat with us below, or fill out our online form to get started on your free personalized consultation. We can’t wait to help you make your California home safer.

Watch These Tutorial Videos to Get the Most Out of Your System

Our favorite home automation company, Control4, introduced the latest upgrade to its operating system last year: OS 3. Control4 OS 3 introduced a wealth of new features previously unavailable in the first two iterations of the operating system, with a new focus placed on user personalization.   Personalization has become an essential desire of homeowners with automation in their homes, so features like active media bars, a Favorites option, and broad support of third-party devices was imperative in the new operating system.   In this blog, we’ll cover three ways you can manage the Control4 OS 3 system in your Laguna Beach, CA home, plus include helpful videos to help you navigate the process.

SEE ALSO: Expand Your Home Network to Improve Your Outdoor Areas

Control4 Security

You can enjoy improved peace of mind with security alarms, smart locks and surveillance cameras. Imagine managing and arming every component of your system remotely with your smartphone or tablet, or while you’re at home from an in-wall touch panel. Take a look at this video to learn how to do that, plus, how to monitor the different security zones of your home individually:  
 

Media Sessions

You can control every music zone of your Laguna Beach home with a few simple taps. After you’ve selected what tunes to stream on Spotify while you prepare dinner in the kitchen, expand the listening landscape by taking the music to the dining room as well. Once dinner is ready, move the music to the outdoor entertainment area to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. You can also manage what’s playing in your home theater with ease. Click play to learn more:  
 

Customizing Pages

For each room of your home, you can customize your screen to show your favorite smart technologies. Simply tap and rearrange each technology feature you’d like to operate, then manage your Control4 system as you need. If you often dim the lighting, open and close the motorized shades, watch your TV, and listen to surround sound, then you can select those functions to show on your Favorites screen for your media room. Check out the following video to learn just how simple it will be to customize the interface of your Control4 OS 3 screen:
 
Now that you’ve gotten a sneak peek at how simple Control4 OS 3 can be, let us show you a system in action. Call us today at (949) 515-7030, chat with us below, or fill out our contact form to get started. We can’t wait to help you bring comfort and convenience to your California home with Control4.

Why Lutron Lighting Systems Outshine DIY for Newport Beach Homes

Discover the Real Smart Lighting Experience with Lutron Home Lighting

Forget what you think you know about smart light bulbs. While screwing in a few Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs might feel like an upgrade, the truth is they often fall short: limited control, clunky apps, and lighting that just doesn’t look good. DIY setups seem to promise a luxury experience, but often deliver more frustration than functionality.

Lutron home lighting systems go far beyond basic smart bulbs by offering a complete smart home lighting solution designed to integrate beautifully with your lifestyle and living spaces. These light bulbs don’t need to be controlled manually with a traditional light switch, either!

Imagine arriving home to a perfectly illuminated space, with motorized shades that work in harmony with indoor lighting, so that every room looks and feels exactly the way you want—without fumbling for switches or cords.

At Launch Systems, we specialize in professional lighting design and installation for homeowners in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and across Orange County. With us, you'll enjoy a personalized experience that transforms your house into your dream home.

Choose from a Wide Variety of Options from One of Our Favorite Brands: Lutron

If you’re looking for a way to improve the interior décor of your California home while also protecting your interior furnishings from damaging UV light, then you should consider motorized window treatments. The options are nearly endless with Lutron because they have a variety of styles and fabric options from which to choose. We’ve previously explained the benefits of switching from manual to motorized window treatments. In this blog, we’ll review a few ways that motorized window treatments can bring convenience and style to your Huntington Beach, CA home. Keep reading to learn more.

SEE ALSO: The Lutron Lighting System Mini Guide

Saving Energy

Lutron shading solutions take advantage of the natural light of the sun to warm your home in the winter and can protect your home from solar heat gain in the summers. All of this translates to valuable energy savings for you! When your home is warmed naturally by the sun in winter, your HVAC doesn’t need to run as often to keep your interiors warm. During the summer months, motorized window treatments can insulate and prevent the hot sun from warming your home, which means your AC doesn’t need to work as hard at keeping your family cool.  

Privacy

A whole-home motorized shading solution can protect your home from peeping eyes. While you’re away from home, a predetermined Away scene can lower all of your shades simultaneously. All you need to do is select this button on your custom-etched wall keypad, a smart device, or a remote – it’s simple. Because Lutron window treatments come in a variety of fabric options, you can control not only the amount of light that enters your Huntington Beach-area home, but your privacy as well. For example, horizontal sheer blinds allow soft light to filter into your home while also giving you the ability to control the angle of the vane’s tilt.  

Colors, Style & Fabrics

Beyond choosing the style of the perfect motorized window treatments for your home, you can also select fabrics and colors that complement your California home’s décor. Lutron continuously evaluates trends, so there are always fresh options to choose from, along with longtime favorites. From seven varieties of Jacquard to 16 colors of basswoods for wooden blinds, you are sure to find the perfect match.   If you’re ready to bring the style and comfort and motorized window treatments to your property in Huntington Beach, CA, call us today at (949) 515-7030 or use our online contact form to reach us. We can’t wait to bring Lutron shading solutions to your home.