Homeowners across America have embraced the idea of keyless entry. They have installed smart locks on their first-floor doors. But there are probably an equal number of homeowners who do not see the point. After all, traditional locks still work. But the reality is that keyless entry does make a difference on a daily basis.
Smart Locks and Keyless Entry
Before going any further, I must make a point about smart locks and keyless entry. A lock can offer keyless entry without qualifying as a smart lock. One of my family members has such a lock. It was built before smart locks were invented.
This is to say that keyless entry does not necessarily make a lock smart. But today’s smart locks all offer keyless entry as a default feature. So for the remainder of this post, I will be referencing smart locks specifically.
Leave the Keys in Your Pocket or Purse
A really easy way to understand how keyless entry makes a daily difference is to compare how standard and smart locks are unlocked. A standard lock requires that you pull out your keys and do your thing. It is no big deal. We are all used to it. But with a smart lock, you can leave your keys in your pocket or purse.
Think about what that might mean when you are coming home after dark. Not having to fumble with your keys when you can barely see is a big plus. And maybe you’re coming home with a couple of bags of groceries. Keyless entry becomes even more convenient.
When the Kids Come Home From School
Keyless entry makes it possible to give your kids access without having them carry keys you can only hope they will not lose. That’s a big help when they come home from school and you are still at work.
Let’s say you opt for a smart lock offering both a keypad and a fingerprint scanner. You can give each of the kids their own PIN but, under normal circumstances, they will not even need it. They just touch a finger to the door, and it unlocks.
That is pretty cool all by itself. But there is yet another advantage: a smart lock can send a notification to your phone whenever it is accessed. You will know exactly when the kids arrive home. And should they decide to leave without permission, you’ll know that, too.
Letting Others Into Your Home
Keyless entry can make an enormous difference when you are expecting out-of-town guests or you’re planning to go away for an extended amount of time. In terms of your guests, you don’t have to give them keys and hope they remember to return them to you. And where going away is concerned, you can give temporary access to a friend or neighbor who agrees to come and check on the house every few days.
Keyless Entry Options
So, how does keyless entry work? According to Vivint Home Security, a leading security provider whose systems can be equipped with smart locks, keyless entry can be achieved in a number of ways. The most common are the keypad and PIN combination.
Keyless entry can also be achieved with smartphone integration (you use a mobile app to lock and unlock the door) or some sort of biometric means, like fingerprint and retina scans.
It’s easy to dismiss keyless entry as just a novelty if you don’t use it daily. But install a smart lock on your own front door and you will quickly discover just how different, and beneficial, keyless entry really is.