Smart Home Prep for Summer Vacations
May 20, 2025
When I was a kid, getting ready to go on a summer vacation meant rallying neighbors to collect the mail, water the plants, and occasionally drive by the house. But times — and our homes — have changed. Thanks to smart home tech like security cameras, smart locks, and automated lighting, you could take off for the entire summer and make it look like you never left.
Planning a trip this summer? Make sure your smart home is vacation-ready with these essential steps:
Check Your Security Devices
Start by verifying that your cameras, alarm systems, and video doorbells are fully functional. Make sure:
- All devices are online and recording properly.
- Firmware is up to date to ensure optimal performance and security.
- You disconnect your phone from WiFi and test remote access using cellular data.
- Camera angles and motion zones are correctly configured to avoid false alerts — adjust these settings to focus only on relevant activity, like your front door or backyard.
A quick check now can save you from stress later, giving you peace of mind knowing your home is under watch.
Automate Your Lighting
Smart lighting is a simple yet effective way to make your home appear occupied while you’re away.
- Use smart bulbs, plugs, or switches to create randomized lighting schedules.
- Turn lights on and off at different times to mimic real activity.
- Use built-in apps or systems like Amazon Alexa to customize automation.
Just be sure your devices support randomization features before relying on them.
Set Vacation Thermostat Settings
Smart thermostats aren’t just for comfort — they’re also great for energy savings while you’re away.
- Use the vacation mode (if available) to set a custom temperature range during your trip.
- For example, set the A/C to kick in if it gets hotter than 80°F and heat to turn on if it drops below 60°F.
- Your system can even restore your preferred settings shortly before you return home.
This reduces unnecessary energy use and ensures you come back to a comfortable home.
Update Smart Lock Access
Smart locks are incredibly helpful when you’re not home. Make sure to:
- Confirm all doors are locked while you’re away.
- Create temporary access codes for trusted friends or family, with auto-expiration set for your return date.
- Disable any unused or lingering codes for added security.
- Replace batteries in your smart locks to prevent unexpected lockouts.
Configure Smart Sprinklers and Sensors
If you’ve got a smart irrigation system, take a few minutes to:
- Program it around the weather forecast.
- Clean and test your moisture or rain sensors.
- Set up delays to avoid watering if recent rainfall is sufficient.
Remote access is key — make sure you can adjust settings while you’re away if needed.
Unplug or Automate Power-Hungry Devices
Use smart plugs to reduce phantom power drain and protect electronics:
- Connect devices like gaming consoles, printers, or mini fridges.
- Set schedules or remote controls to power them down while you’re gone.
- If your garage fridge is just for drinks, consider shutting it off temporarily.
These small tweaks can lead to noticeable energy savings.
Do a Full Test Run
This may be the most important pointer that many people leave off their vacation checklist. Before you leave:
- Run a “vacation mode” test to ensure all automations trigger as expected.
- Confirm that remote access and notifications work when you’re off your home network.
- Check all devices one last time for proper functionality.
A thorough test will give you confidence that your smart home has your back while you relax.
With just a bit of prep, your smart home can keep your property safe, save energy, and reduce stress — so you can truly enjoy your vacation.
Have you used any of these smart home vacation hacks? Are there some you swear by that aren’t listed here? Let Debbie and I know what you think about leveraging smart home while you’re away on vacation in the comments, DMs or email. Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process of our new smart home build. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’
