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How to implement smart home automation actions and scenes in your Harrisburg home

June 03, 2025
Homeowner navigating a home security app on his cell phone

Home security is more than door sensors and alarms. Today, your modern system revolves around smart home automation and pre-programmed scenes. Through the use of your hub or smartphone app, you can implement custom actions that enhance your security and convenience. Learn how to make your own in just a few simple steps. 

What’s possible with smart home automation?

Leading smart homes let you do so much, like examining video footage or adjusting temperature settings straight from your cell phone. But that’s merely the start. Smart home automation allows different elements of your home to function together. 

The following are some examples of what you might program:

  • Disarm your alarm when someone opens the door with a PIN
  • Unlock your front door when a fire alarm or CO detector trips
  • After doors are opened, have them lock again after a certain duration
  • Program interior cameras to record if a door opens or motion sensor trips
  • Disarm and arm your system at specified moments

Your options are virtually limitless. You could even create a varied bedtime scene that secures doors, dims lights, and arms your system simultaneously. The top home security systems in Harrisburg make it effortless with user-friendly smartphone apps.

Configuring home automation actions in your Harrisburg home

Configuring smart home automation is more straightforward than you think, even if you are daunted by new technology. Cell phone apps like the one from Vivint let you add convenience to your life in merely a couple of minutes. Vivint’s app even comes pre-loaded with various recommended automation actions you may easily switch on.  

Here’s a quick rundown of how to customize a new action, also referred to as a rule:

  1. Access the Vivint app on your smartphone.
  2. Press the menu icon in the top left corner and pick “Smart Actions.”
  3. Tap the “+” sign to start a new action.
  4. Pick what you want to occur. For instance, you could want to illuminate a light, arm your system, or start a video recording. You’ll find numerous options.
  5. Next, determine what will initiate the action. To illustrate, you may want a smart light to illuminate when a motion sensor activates or a surveillance camera to record when a smart lock is engaged. You might also have an action initiate based on the time of day.
  6. Then, you just have to review your work, make sure it’s saved, and toggle it on to enable it.

If it appears complex, it’s not. Because of the app's usability, you may just touch what you want and toggle rules on or off. If you would like a surveillance device to record when a door lock activates, you may choose which camera to initiate from a list. You'll also select the door if there are multiple options. The rule can be programmed for all hours or only for particular times.

Get the best in smart home automation by installing a Vivint security system

Take some of life’s daily responsibilities off your to-do list and have your new Vivint smart home handle them for you! Through smart home automation, you’ll benefit from another level of convenience while obtaining better security for your family. Start designing your smart home in Harrisburg today by placing a call to (717) 844-9116 and connecting with a Vivint professional.