Monitoring home during winter for power, heat and moisture

TriDad · 09-14-2016, 11:50 AM

I use Simplisafe. Easy to self-install. Monitors for temp, water, smoke and security. I like it because it doesn't require a land line or WiFi. It connects via its own internal cellular chip. It doesn't allow me to change the temp. For that I use Nest. I also use a cheap (lt $100) set of wifi cameras focused on a few key things in the house; sump pump, water shutoff valve, furnace panel.

http://simplisafe.com/home-protection

cunninghorgan · 09-14-2016, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriDad

I use Simplisafe. Easy to self-install. Monitors for temp, water, smoke and security. I like it because it doesn't require a land line or WiFi. It connects via its own internal cellular chip. It doesn't allow me to change the temp. For that I use Nest. I also use a cheap (lt $100) set of wifi cameras focused on a few key things in the house; sump pump, water shutoff valve, furnace panel.

http://simplisafe.com/home-protection

Thank you! We've been looking at SimpliSafe as an option. We don't need anything too fancy or with a large coverage range as our house is rather small. I didn't realize SimpliSafe used an internal chip. That's a game changer.

camp guy · 09-14-2016, 02:57 PM

In today's world of technology there is a device for any condition you want to monitor, it just depends on how extensive you want to get; but, nothing beats having a real live person walk around your home on a regular basis. MeredithMan is exactly right. Usually, if there is a problem, a housechecker can either take action and fix it, or, go to his (her) rolodex and get a trade on scene relatively quickly.

I would not discount such monitoring devices as low temperature alarms and security alarms, but I would also strongly urge you to have a person walk around, both inside and outside, and give you regular reports.

Do you have an emergency generator? Very good idea.

joey2665 · 09-14-2016, 03:13 PM

I may be a little over board but better safe than sorry. I have low temp alarms incorporated with the security system. nest cameras and thermostat and I have the home checked once a week, twice when the temperature goes into the single digits.

My property manager charges about 750.00 for the season from 11/15 until 5/15

jetlag100 · 09-14-2016, 04:42 PM

We have a company monitor our home, but I can also turn heat, alarms, etc...on/off with my phone...keep the house at 55 during the winter, and we also have water tabs on the basement floor, that will alert our alarm co. if water is present...We have a Samsung camera system to monitor the inside...I love that! I can go online and look in the house for any disturbances...We use an answering machine to figure out if the power is out (don't want to run out of propane if it's on generator)...if the answering machine answers, there's power...works very well for us

DickR · 09-14-2016, 06:50 PM

Ditto on the FreezeAlarm to notify you of a power or heating system failure that leaves the interior temperature falling. Assuming you could get up in timely fashion to respond to get up there and take appropriate action, that might be your only really needed protection. When the weather gets really bitter, you can always call it and read out status of power, interior temperature, etc., for peace of mind.

For real peace of mind, a standby generator, fueled by propane, would take care of extended outages midweek, as well as give you convenience when the power goes out while you are up there.

tummyman · 09-14-2016, 07:09 PM

We've used the Freeze Alarm for over 10 years with no issues at all (got ours at a discount from NHEC). It has saved us a few times with long power outages. Just need to have a phone line available. If phone is out, chances are the power is out as well. In addition, my oil tank is in a dark crawl space. Was stumped for a while as to how to monitor oil tank levels until I found a D-link camera with night vision. I have it set right on the oil tank gage and can easily call up the camera from anywhere in the world in an instant. The cameras are cheap and really work well. We have a Mitsubishi mini split heat system in addition to FHW baseboard. We can also monitor the temperature remotely with this system and can adjust heat levels depending on when we are visiting, etc. etc. Lots of ways to solve the issues. I think the Home Insp. services are okay, but checking once a week can leave a lot of holes. IMHO, they work best if you are a long way away...for us a trip is less than 2 hours to check if things look questionable.

09-14-2016, 11:50 AM	#1
TriDad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75 Thanks: 8 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Simplisafe I use Simplisafe. Easy to self-install. Monitors for temp, water, smoke and security. I like it because it doesn't require a land line or WiFi. It connects via its own internal cellular chip. It doesn't allow me to change the temp. For that I use Nest. I also use a cheap (lt $100) set of wifi cameras focused on a few key things in the house; sump pump, water shutoff valve, furnace panel. http://simplisafe.com/home-protection

09-14-2016, 02:57 PM	#3
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Monitoring house... In today's world of technology there is a device for any condition you want to monitor, it just depends on how extensive you want to get; but, nothing beats having a real live person walk around your home on a regular basis. MeredithMan is exactly right. Usually, if there is a problem, a housechecker can either take action and fix it, or, go to his (her) rolodex and get a trade on scene relatively quickly. I would not discount such monitoring devices as low temperature alarms and security alarms, but I would also strongly urge you to have a person walk around, both inside and outside, and give you regular reports. Do you have an emergency generator? Very good idea.

09-14-2016, 03:13 PM	#4
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,217 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 1,009 Times in 649 Posts	Monitoring I may be a little over board but better safe than sorry. I have low temp alarms incorporated with the security system. nest cameras and thermostat and I have the home checked once a week, twice when the temperature goes into the single digits. My property manager charges about 750.00 for the season from 11/15 until 5/15

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to joey2665 For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (09-16-2016)

09-14-2016, 04:42 PM	#5
jetlag100 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Revere, Massachusetts and Moultonborough, N.H. Posts: 311 Thanks: 228 Thanked 79 Times in 50 Posts	We have a company monitor our home, but I can also turn heat, alarms, etc...on/off with my phone...keep the house at 55 during the winter, and we also have water tabs on the basement floor, that will alert our alarm co. if water is present...We have a Samsung camera system to monitor the inside...I love that! I can go online and look in the house for any disturbances...We use an answering machine to figure out if the power is out (don't want to run out of propane if it's on generator)...if the answering machine answers, there's power...works very well for us

09-14-2016, 06:50 PM	#6
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 765 Thanks: 4 Thanked 260 Times in 172 Posts	Ditto on the FreezeAlarm to notify you of a power or heating system failure that leaves the interior temperature falling. Assuming you could get up in timely fashion to respond to get up there and take appropriate action, that might be your only really needed protection. When the weather gets really bitter, you can always call it and read out status of power, interior temperature, etc., for peace of mind. For real peace of mind, a standby generator, fueled by propane, would take care of extended outages midweek, as well as give you convenience when the power goes out while you are up there.

09-14-2016, 07:09 PM	#7
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 889 Thanks: 278 Thanked 764 Times in 271 Posts	We've used the Freeze Alarm for over 10 years with no issues at all (got ours at a discount from NHEC). It has saved us a few times with long power outages. Just need to have a phone line available. If phone is out, chances are the power is out as well. In addition, my oil tank is in a dark crawl space. Was stumped for a while as to how to monitor oil tank levels until I found a D-link camera with night vision. I have it set right on the oil tank gage and can easily call up the camera from anywhere in the world in an instant. The cameras are cheap and really work well. We have a Mitsubishi mini split heat system in addition to FHW baseboard. We can also monitor the temperature remotely with this system and can adjust heat levels depending on when we are visiting, etc. etc. Lots of ways to solve the issues. I think the Home Insp. services are okay, but checking once a week can leave a lot of holes. IMHO, they work best if you are a long way away...for us a trip is less than 2 hours to check if things look questionable.