Award-Winning Southampton Luxury Retrofit Highlights the Versatility of the First Alert® VISTA® H Series Security Platform

When the owners of a 10,500-square-foot home in Southampton, N.Y. needed a life safety overhaul of their recently purchased home, they contacted locally-owned Suffolk Security Systems for a solution. The resulting renovation not only thrilled the homeowners – it recently won a Security Sales & Integration Security Solutions Award in the category of Home Controls.

The Challenge: Modernize the Life Safety System of an Outdated Luxury Home

The home was built in 1992, and though it was newer in comparison to some historic homes in the area, the infrastructure had been neglected. The wiring was a patchwork of outdated systems, smoke detectors were missing and the home was not compliant with New York’s life safety codes.  

The homeowners had a clear vision for the home’s modernization, which included better security, updated life safety systems and video surveillance. Since the home is their second residence, they wanted all their devices connected via a whole-home network that would be easy to monitor remotely and automatically.  

The Suffolk team worked closely with the homeowners to identify a solution that would meet their needs and could be accomplished within a tight timeframe. They had to move quickly because the homeowner’s insurance company wanted the system fully operational within 30 days because of the property’s value.  Another consideration was that it would be a hybrid project – they wanted to reuse some existing wiring and integrate wireless components. Additionally, the basement was already undergoing renovation, complicating wiring in that area, and it was a challenge to navigate the layout of the original alarm system.

"We knew we needed to identify a versatile, hybrid security system that could reliably support a mix of wired and wireless devices, satisfy New York state safety codes and be easy to access and control from anywhere,” explained Paul Romanelli, president of Suffolk Security Systems.  “We were on a tight timeframe and didn’t have any time for error, so we turned to Resideo for a solution that would be adaptable and efficient to install.”

The Solution: Retrofit Upgrades with the First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform

After evaluating the homeowners’ goals and assessing the property, the Suffolk team concluded that a retrofit was the best solution. They recommended the First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform, a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs. 

"The VISTA H Series Security Platform was the perfect solution for the Southampton project because its scalable hybrid platform enabled us to salvage existing wiring while integrating wireless components,” said Romanelli. “It also offered the flexibility to install touchpads without needing to run wires back to the control panel, which was another big win.”

When introduced to the VISTA H Series, the homeowners liked the intuitive graphic interface and touchpads, the ability to integrate wired and wireless components and the low-maintenance and high-performance capabilities associated with the VISTA product lines. They were especially impressed with the Total Connect 2.0^® app, which provides real-time activity alerts through the app or web experience, and allows them to remotely manage security, video cameras, smart doorbells, thermostats, lighting, locks, and more.

Installation and Results

Suffolk’s installation process required a comprehensive retrofit, which included identifying reusable wiring, tearing out old components, creating accessible splice points and building out the relocated security closet that became the central hub for all networking and camera connections. They started with hardwired devices and layered in wireless, reconfigured the broadband ISP network and installed an eero gateway switch with eero7 mesh access points throughout the home.  

The team incorporated a VISTA H3 relay setup to enable remote control of the main water valve and integrated a range of VISTA H Series-compatible components to deliver a comprehensive whole-home solution, including:

• First Alert VX1 HD Video Doorbell
• Five Honeywell Home T6 Pro Z-Wave^® Thermostats
• PROSIXCMBOV - Combination Smoke, Heat and CO Detector

The setup also included surveillance cameras, a flow-based water leak detection system, and a Z-Wave door lock. The renovation, completed in January 2025, stands as a model of fully integrated security, life safety, and video surveillance. Its true success is reflected in how seamlessly the homeowners are now using the VISTA H Series in their daily lives.

“The homeowners love the ability to locally and remotely monitor the home, track deliveries and maintain indoor comfort,” said Romanelli. “And the integration of the VX1 HD Video Doorbell on the touchscreen pads is particularly useful since the bedroom is far from the home’s entrance."

They quickly saw a return on their VISTA H Series investment when they were away on vacation not long after installation. Honeywell Home PROSIX Two-Way Wireless Temperature Sensors alerted them that the home’s temperature was running low and they contacted a heating contractor to prevent frozen pipes. They were impressed by being able to monitor the recovery using Honeywell Home T6 Pro Z-Wave thermostats.

“ Remote management is a game-changer for a second home like this,” said Romanelli. “With the new network infrastructure, the owners’ time in the home is more comfortable and productive. It’s turned into a space they really enjoy.”

Professionals can learn more at the Resideo.com security solutions page. Homeowners can find a local, professional security dealer at Resideo.com/findapro.

See Also:

Unleashing Safety: Protecting Pets with Professional Monitoring

How to Upgrade Daylight Saving Time Reminders with Smart Home Products

Award-winning Florida Installation Showcases the “Hidden” Value of the Resideo ProSeries

FAQ:

What is the First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform?

The First Alert® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform is a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs. 

How do I update the security system in a home with old wiring?

The First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform is a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs. 

What do I do with an old, hardwired security system?

An old, hardwired security system can be upgraded. One option is the First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform. It is a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs. 

I just bought a house with an old security system. What is the best way to upgrade?

The First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform is a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs. 

Can I upgrade a home security system that has old wiring?

Yes. The First Alert^® VISTA^® H Series Security Platform is a full-service, scalable, and hybrid security system that serves as a modern upgrade for retrofit customers because of its ability to enable efficient and cost-effective upgrades of legacy systems, seamlessly mix wired and wireless devices, and integrate with the latest technology. The VISTA H Series minimizes customer investment through compatibility and reuse of pre-existing peripherals and sensors. Importantly, it is a reliable, scalable security system that can be upgraded to meet future needs.