How do I install a ring doorbell or smart doorbell camera in New Brunswick?

Installing a Smart Doorbell Camera in New Brunswick

Smart doorbells from Ring, Google Nest, Arlo, and others have become popular security additions to NB homes. Installation ranges from a simple DIY swap to a project requiring an electrician, depending on your existing doorbell setup.

Battery vs. Hardwired

Battery-powered smart doorbells:

• No existing doorbell wiring needed


• Mount with screws and connect to WiFi


• Battery lasts 2–6 months depending on activity and temperature


• Battery life drops significantly in NB winters (-20°C and below)


• Must be removed to recharge (or buy a second battery for hot-swap)


• Models: Ring Battery Doorbell, Arlo Essential, Blink


• Cost: $100–$250

Hardwired smart doorbells:

• Connect to existing doorbell wiring (16–24V AC transformer)


• Continuous power — no battery to charge


• More reliable in NB winter cold (no battery degradation)


• Better video quality and features on some models (continuous recording)


• Models: Ring Wired/Pro, Google Nest Doorbell (wired), Arlo Wired


• Cost: $150–$350

For NB homeowners, hardwired is strongly recommended if you have existing doorbell wiring. Battery doorbells in -25°C weather can die in 2–4 weeks between charges, and removing the doorbell to recharge it in January is miserable.

Checking Your Existing Doorbell

If you have a wired doorbell currently:

Find your doorbell transformer — usually in the basement, utility closet, or attached to a junction box near the panel. It's a small box with two low-voltage wires coming out.

Check the transformer voltage — most smart doorbells need 16–24V AC. The transformer's output is printed on it.

If your transformer outputs less than 16V (common in older NB homes with original 1960s–1970s transformers), you'll need to upgrade it.

If you don't have any doorbell wiring:

• Option 1: Battery-powered smart doorbell (no wiring needed)


• Option 2: Have an electrician run new doorbell wire and install a transformer. Cost: $150–$400.


• Option 3: Some smart doorbells (Ring Pro) can be powered by a plug-in adapter and low-voltage wire run along the exterior (less clean but functional).

Transformer Upgrade

Older NB homes often have 10V or 12V doorbell transformers that can't power a smart doorbell. Upgrading is simple:

DIY (if the transformer plugs into an outlet or is accessible):

Turn off the breaker for the circuit the transformer is on

Disconnect the old transformer

Connect a new 16V or 24V transformer ($15–$30)

Restore power and verify voltage with a multimeter at the doorbell location

Electrician needed if:

• The transformer is hardwired into a junction box (common)


• You can't locate the transformer


• You need to run new wire

Electrician cost for transformer replacement: $75–$200.

Installation Steps (Hardwired)

Turn off the breaker for the doorbell circuit (or the transformer)

Remove the existing doorbell button — usually 2 screws

Check voltage at the wires with a multimeter (should read 16–24V AC)

Mount the smart doorbell's mounting bracket using the provided screws and anchors. Use the included angle wedge if needed for optimal camera angle.

Connect the two doorbell wires to the smart doorbell's terminals (polarity doesn't matter for AC doorbells)

Attach the smart doorbell to the mounting bracket

Restore power

Set up the app — download the manufacturer's app, connect to WiFi, configure motion zones, alerts, and recording settings

Time: 15–45 minutes for a straightforward swap.

NB Winter Considerations

Cold temperature ratings:
| Doorbell | Min Operating Temp |
|----------|-------------------|
| Ring Video Doorbell (battery) | -20°C |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 (wired) | -20°C |
| Google Nest Doorbell (battery) | -20°C |
| Google Nest Doorbell (wired) | -40°C |
| Arlo Essential (battery) | -20°C |

NB regularly sees temperatures below -20°C, particularly in northern areas (Bathurst, Edmundston, Campbellton) and inland areas (Fredericton, Woodstock). If your area frequently drops below -20°C, choose a wired doorbell with a -40°C rating.

Snow and ice on the camera:
Mount the doorbell under an overhang, porch roof, or add a small awning above it. NB's wet snow and freezing rain can coat the lens. Some homeowners apply a thin coat of Rain-X to the lens face to help water and ice sheet off.

WiFi range to the front door:
Many NB homes have the router in a basement or back room, far from the front door. If the doorbell has poor WiFi signal:

• Move the router closer (not always practical)


• Add a WiFi extender near the front of the house ($30–$80)


• Use a mesh WiFi system ($200–$400) for whole-home coverage


• Ring offers a Chime Pro ($50) that doubles as a WiFi extender

Motion detection in winter:
Smart doorbells use passive infrared (PIR) to detect motion. In cold weather, the temperature difference between a person and the background is larger, which can increase detection range and sensitivity. You may need to adjust motion sensitivity zones during winter to avoid excessive false alerts from warm car exhaust, animals, or heat vents.

Privacy and Legal Considerations in NB

• You can record your own property (porch, driveway, front yard)
• Avoid positioning the camera to record your neighbour's property, windows, or private areas
• New Brunswick's Privacy Act protects individuals' privacy — a camera deliberately aimed at a neighbour's property could create legal issues
• Notify visitors that video recording is in use — a small sign ($5–$10) near the doorbell satisfies most concerns

Costs Summary

| Item | Cost |
|------|------|
| Smart doorbell (battery) | $100–$250 |
| Smart doorbell (wired) | $150–$350 |
| Transformer upgrade (if needed) | $75–$200 (electrician) |
| New doorbell wiring (if none exists) | $150–$400 (electrician) |
| WiFi extender (if needed) | $30–$80 |
| Monthly subscription (cloud recording) | $4–$13/month |
| DIY installation (existing wiring) | $0 |
| Electrician installation | $100–$250 |

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