The DR Horton Smart Home, branded as Home Is Connected®, is a built-in smart home system offered by America’s largest homebuilder. It’s designed to give homeowners convenience, security, and energy savings right out of the box — with features like smart locks, thermostats, video doorbells, and a central control panel. If you’re buying a D.R. Horton home or researching smart home packages, here’s everything you need to know about what’s included, how it works, and whether it’s worth it.
What is “DR Horton Smart Home” / “Home Is Connected®”
DR Horton’s Home Is Connected® system is a set of smart-home features built into new DR Horton homes. These smart features are installed by Safe Haven Security, a partner for the DR Horton homes. Safe Haven+2D.R. Horton+2
Some of the included technologies are:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Z-Wave programmable thermostat (Honeywell) | Allows remote control of heating/cooling; some scheduling / smart features. D.R. Horton+1 |
| Z-Wave door lock (Kwikset) | Lock/unlock doors remotely, or using codes. Builder Guides+1 |
| Z-Wave wireless switches (Eaton) | Smart light switches that can be controlled via app or automation. Builder Guides+1 |
| Qolsys touchscreen control panel | Central smart home control hub. It communicates with devices and often acts as alarm/security central point. Builder Guides |
| Alarm.com platform | Smart home/automation/monitoring backend. Manages many of the smart features. Builder Guides+2D.R. Horton+2 |
| SkyBell video doorbell | Visitors can be seen, heard, talked to using smartphone or other connected device. Builder Guides |
| Amazon Echo Dot | Voice-control assistant included for hands-free control. Builder Guides |
DR Horton’s description notes that these smart home features “speak to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave and cellular devices,” giving homeowners multiple connectivity options. Builder Guides
How It Works / What You’ll Pay
Here are some user-notes and caveats gathered (from buyer reports, Reddit, etc.):
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The hardware (thermostat, door lock, panel, video doorbell, etc.) is included in many DR Horton Smart Homes. You don’t always have to pay extra for those devices. Reddit+1
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However, monitoring services (especially if using ADT or similar) do cost extra monthly. For example, some owners report $50/month for fire, medical alert, 24-hour monitoring etc. This is optional (you may decline monitoring in many cases), depending on the contract. Reddit
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In some cases, homeowners were told that monitoring or subscribing to certain services was required for all smart features to work, but others have reported that those features (locks, thermostat, etc.) still work without monitoring service. Reddit
Pros of DR Horton Smart Home
Here are benefits that homeowners often report when choosing this “Smart Home” option:
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Pre-built infrastructure
You get many smart home features already built-in. You don’t have to retrofit later, which saves cost, hassle, and avoids visible wires or modifications. -
Integrated systems
Because multiple smart devices (locks, thermostat, doorbell, control panel) are built to work together (via Alarm.com, Z-Wave, etc.), the system tends to be more cohesive. -
Remote control & convenience
You can control lighting, locks, thermostat, etc. from your phone or via voice (with Echo Dot). If “Home Is Connected” is properly set up, it gives convenience straight out of the box. -
Increases home value & appeal
Smart home features are selling points. Buyers like homes with built-in automation + security. Even if some features require extra fees, the hardware and infrastructure being there are pluses. -
Energy efficiency & comfort
Smart thermostats, programmable switches, etc., help optimize energy usage. This can reduce heating/cooling bills if used well.
Cons / Things to Watch Out For
To be fair, there are also drawbacks or limits. Good to know if you’re considering this option:
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Recurring costs
Monitoring fees, subscription services might be optional, but sometimes homeowners feel pressure to subscribe (for full features or security). Reddit -
Feature lock-in / optional extras
Not all features are mandatory in every home. Some are “upgraded options.” The specific components may vary depending on model / region. DR Horton reserves the right to substitute products. Builder Guides -
Dependency on third-party apps / cloud
Smart home features often rely on cloud services (Alarm.com, SkyBell, etc.). If there are outages, or if internet is down, certain functionality may fail. -
Privacy & security
With cameras, doorbells, locks, cloud services, you must trust the providers. Also check whether firmware gets updates, whether the system uses secure encryption. DR Horton notes that they do not guarantee security levels. Builder Guides -
Upgradability limitations
Because the platform is pre-configured, if you later want very high end tech or different brands, sometimes compatibility is limited.
Real DR Horton Smart home Buyer Experiences
From forums / Reddit:
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Many DR Horton buyers say the hardware is included, but that they were upsold monitoring services. Some say the sales process made it sound like monitoring was required when it wasn’t. Reddit
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Some users appreciate getting the “Smart Home package” as part of the deal — less work for them as homeowners. Others feel sometimes the marketing oversells ease or features.
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There are reports of user-friendly operation for many features, but also occasional issues (delays, confusing app integrations, etc.).
Is It Worth It?
Based on what I saw, here are some guidelines to decide whether DR Horton Smart Home is a good fit for you:
| If you want this | It’s probably worth it if: |
|---|---|
| Convenience + ready smart features | You don’t want to deal with installing your own smart tech; you like having a home ready from day one. |
| Lower retrofit cost | Smart home tech in-built is usually cheaper than adding it later, especially wiring, locks, thermostat etc. |
| Security & resale value | The smart features plus security infrastructure will appeal to future buyers. |
| Lower recurring cost | Before purchasing, verify monthly fees. If you don’t want ongoing monitoring or subscriptions, try to negotiate or clarify what’s optional. |
Tips Before Buying
Here are practical questions and checklist items to ask a DR Horton sales rep / smart home manager:
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Detailed list of components
What exactly is included in your model? Thermostat brand, door lock brand, doorbell, switches, panel, etc. -
What is optional vs included
Are some things upgrades? Are monitoring services or apps required? -
Monthly fees
Ask what subscription/monitoring costs are, and whether you can opt out. -
App / service compatibility
Which apps are used (Alarm.com, SkyBell, etc.)? Is it cloud based? Is there local control? Are there guidelines for third-party integrations? -
Support, updates, security
How often is firmware updated? What steps are taken for data security & privacy? -
Warranty
Are the smart devices under DR Horton’s warranty? What happens if something fails?
Conclusion
DR Horton Smart Home (“Home Is Connected®”) delivers a strong baseline smart home experience for many homebuyers. It includes solid hardware (locks, thermostat, doorbell, control panel), connectivity, and convenience. While there are recurring costs and some limitations, for those who want a turn-key smart home with modern features included from the start, it is often a good value.
If you’re considering DR Horton’s Smart Home, weigh what parts are included vs what you may want later, clarify what you’ll pay monthly, and check compatibility with devices you care about. If those align, the smart home package can save you both money and hassle compared to adding everything yourself later.
