How to Choose (and Install) the Right Doorbell for You
One of the most famous names of video intercoms is Ring. Although there is enormous competition in the video doorbell industry today, Ring has expanded its functionality and product line and continues to be a leader in entry door security. However, before you purchase one, there are a few things you need to take into account, such as what type of model you will need and how you will mount it.
Choose the appropriate ring model.
First, you need to know if you can support a wired camera or if you need a wireless version. A wired doorbell camera connects to the wiring used by your existing doorbell and means you never have to charge the camera. Just keep in mind that although it uses the same wiring, the ring camera does not sound your existing doorbell – it alerts you over the phone, and you can purchase a bell accessory to hear the alarm in yours. home. If you don’t have such wiring, Ring has a variety of rechargeable doorbells. From time to time you will take them off at night, connect them to a USB cable, and when they are recharged, put them back. It sounds labor intensive, but it really isn’t. Ring offers several models to choose from, wired or wireless.
The most important requirement, no matter which model you choose, is the ability of your internet signal to be relatively strong near the doorbell. This way the doorbell will communicate with your phone and send video back and forth. The faster the connection, the faster you’ll receive notifications and be able to chat with people at your front door via video.
Consider your mount
Now you need to consider how and where you will mount the doorbell and whether it will require any accessories. For example, if you live in an apartment building, instead of “mounting” the doorbell to the wall, you may want to use a clamp specifically for this purpose, so that the doorbell remains outside the door, but safely. If you are installing a doorbell on siding at an angle, you will need a “wedge” mount that compensates for the angle. If you need to point your doorbell at an angle rather than straight out of the house, you’ll need a swivel mount . Some mounts allow vertical and horizontal angles. If you can attach the doorbell to a flat wall, pointing it straight, everything you need is in the box and you won’t have to buy an extra mount.
Gather your tools
If you’re connecting a wired doorbell, you’ll need a screwdriver, wire strippers and a telephone, as well as a voltage tester . For a cordless or wired connection, you will need a drill with a drill bit set, and a screwdriver or Phillips-head drill bit. You will also need a level and some silicone caulk.
Disconnect the doorbell electricity to the existing wiring (for a wired doorbell)
First, you need to make sure that the power to your doorbell is turned off. If you have a voltage tester —an inexpensive tool for testing a safety or hot wire—you can try disconnecting just the circuit that controls the doorbell. Disconnect the circuit that you think matches, and then, once you have removed the existing doorbell, carefully use the detector to double check the electricity by touching the plastic tip of the tester to each wire to see if the tester sounds an alarm. . If you don’t have a detector or aren’t sure which circuit goes to the doorbell, turn off the main power instead. This should turn off the power to your entire home. Once you are sure that there is no electricity on these wires, you can continue.
Install the mounting plate
Using your chosen mount, mark where you want the mount to go by pressing it against the wall, using a level to make sure it’s level, and mark where the screws will go. Now match the drill bit to the size of the screws included with the doorbell and drill ½ inch deep where you notice the screw holes on the wall. Switch to a Phillips bit and install the mount. In some cases, you will need to install the included flat wall mount onto the wedge, corner, or clamp mount you purchased. If yes, do it now.
Connect the wires (for wired doorbell)
The wires coming out of the wall are connected to the mount, not the doorbell. Follow the instructions to ensure the correct wires are connected to the correct outlet on the mount. If necessary, use wire strippers to create a nice, clean wire connection by cutting off any frayed or burnt wire and stripping the end. Once the connections are complete, you can proceed to installing the doorbell itself.
Install the Ring app on your phone.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to install the Ring app for iPhone or Android. This is necessary to proceed to the next step. Set up your account and then add a new device. Select the doorbell you purchased and follow the instructions. Make sure you have the box the doorbell came in and the doorbell itself. Setup may require a QR code on the back of the doorbell or on the box. Follow the prompts in the app – it may ask you to turn on location services, which will allow your doorbell to work correctly. The app will help you connect your doorbell to Wi-Fi and test it.
Install a doorbell
It’s finally time to mount the doorbell. The included mount has two hooks that secure the doorbell when you slide the doorbell onto the mount. Then you simply secure it with the included screws using the included screwdriver. If you are using a different mount, the directions may vary; follow the instructions on the mount. Incredibly important tip: don’t lose the included screwdriver . You will need it to charge the doorbell or remove it. This is a unique screw head that cannot be purchased except from a Ring store.
Select settings to personalize your Ring doorbell.
Once your doorbell is installed, turned on, and connected, it’s time to personalize it to suit your home and preferences. The Ring app will tell you what the camera can see and what part of the image the doorbell should focus on, in a setting called “motion zones.” If people are constantly walking up and down the sidewalk in front of your house, you might want to set up a traffic zone so that the camera only focuses on pedestrian traffic closer to the house. This setting is easy to adjust.
You can also use schedules to decide how the doorbell should act and what it should do. For example, at night, you may want it to behave differently—perhaps you want it to be in Do Not Disturb mode, or it should focus on a different traffic zone. You’ll likely adjust it a few times over the first few weeks to find what you’re comfortable with. Once you find what works for you, you won’t need to adjust it.
Get to know the app
Now you just need to get used to the video intercom! This means getting used to different notifications (someone’s at the door, someone’s ringing the doorbell, someone’s leaving a package) and how you want to respond. When someone rings the doorbell, do you want to interact with them in return?
You can change the sound your phone makes when someone rings the bell, you can even set automatic answers for your doorbell. The app will show you all the latest features that you can play with.
Enjoy the doorbell
A video intercom can be a powerful tool to help you feel safe in your home, ensure you catch packages while away from home, or can help police with video if a break-in does occur. Setting them up takes just a few steps, and once you’ve done it, it’s very easy to do it again if necessary.