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Solution of the Week
Get Notified When Weather Endangers Your Home
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A lot can go wrong when freezing weather occurs, like ruptured pipes, burst washing machine hoses, etc. But with a few smart products, you can get phone or e-mail alerts before freeze conditions arise, giving you a chance to minimize damage to your residence or vacation home.
| | | Alerts by E-Mail, Text Message or Pager | |
PowerLinc IP and the SmarthomeLive service can be combined to notify you when there is a dangerous condition in your home. With PowerLinc IP, you no longer need to have a PC at the monitoring site. If you have a broadband Internet connection at the monitoring site, and prefer to get alerts by e-mail, text message or pager, we recommend using SmarthomeLive, a PowerLinc IP, a WaterBug� Water Sensor and a Powerflash™ Module. When used together, these systems have the capability to send out e-mail, text message or pager message when water is detected.
By using a water detection system like the WaterBug� Water Sensor (#7160) and connecting it to a Powerflash™ Module you can be warned via e-mail, text message or pager if water is detected.
Connect the Water Bug� to the Powerflash™ Module so that when the Water Bug� detects water, it closes a contact that the Powerflash™ Module "sees." The Powerflash™ will then send an X10 signal (e.g. D-1 ON).
That signal can be used to trigger an email, text message, or page via PowerLinc IP and the Smarthome Live service.
 Setting Up SmarthomeLive:
- Log on to your free SmarthomeLive account
- Go to the setup screen and select "Notify Me"
- Enter your email, cell phone number, or both
- Enter the trigger signal that will start the process (in this case D1- Doff)
- Enter the message to be sent
- Save the changes and send a test message. In a few moments, you'll receive the notification by email or text message.
It is also a good idea to test the system by simulating the Water Bug detecting water. When the Water Bug's detector is placed in water, it will force the Powerflash into sending the trigger signal. Again, a few moments later, it should cause an email or text message to be received.
| | | Alerts by Phone | |
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If you want to receive a phone call when freezing or near-freezing temperatures are detected, we recommend the Sensaphone. One of Smarthome's best sellers for years, the Sensaphone has the capability to report potentially-hazardous conditions by calling as many as four phone numbers and playing voice-synthesized alerts.
With a built-in temperature sensor, microphone and an AC power failure sensor, the Sensaphone can call you:
- If the inside temperature dips below a certain setpoint (user-specified)
- If the power goes out (10-hour battery back-up)
- If there's a loud, sustained noise (like a burglar alarm or smoke detector)
You can also call your vacation home at any time to obtain a status report, or to listen in to on-site sounds, for total peace of mind.
If you want the Sensaphone to report more information than the features listed above, you can expand it with additional sensors that use normally-open or normally-closed contacts. These can include:
- Water Sensors (to see if there's flooding in the basement)
- Wind Sensors (to get an idea if your satellite dish is still connected to the house)
- Rain Sensors (in case you want to postpone the trip until a dryer weekend)
- Temperature Sensor (#7020) — Just like the one built into the Sensaphone so you can monitor additional temperature-sensitive areas of the property
If you also want the ability to remotely control the thermostat, we also offer an upgraded model: The Sensaphone Cottage Sitter, which allows you to set the thermostat with a phone call.
| | | Alerts by E-Mail or Windows Desktop | |
If you have a PC and broadband Internet connection at the monitoring site, and prefer to get temperature-related alerts by e-mail or on your Windows desktop, we recommend using SmarthomeLive, a TempLinc and the PowerLinc USB. When used together, these two systems have the capability to send out e-mail notices when freezing or near-freezing temperatures are detected.
Setting Up the TempLinc:
- The TempLinc consists of two parts: a temperature sensor and a PowerLinc controller. Mount the temperature sensor in the area you want to monitor. The PowerLinc controller will need to be near an electrical outlet. An extension cord to lengthen the distance between the two units is available, if necessary.
- Select an X10 address for the TempLinc. The address consists of a house code (a letter from A-P) and a unit code (a number from 1-16). It doesn't matter which X10 address you use, but we recommend avoiding A1 since that's the default setting of most X10 products. In this example, we'll use B1.
- Put the TempLinc into programming mode by plugging the PowerLinc controller into a 120V wall outlet.
- Within one minute, use SmarthomeLive to send the X10 address for the TempLinc three times in a row (B1, B1, B1).
- Set the operating mode to Heating Mode. You do this by sending the signal for "D6" from SmarthomeLive.
- Set the temperature set-point at which you want to trigger an e-mail. In this example, let's say it's 40�. To program the set-point, use SmarthomeLive to send the appropriate signal (determined in Table 2 of the Instruction Manual).
- You've now completed the TempLinc set-up. Now when the unit detects temperatures that dip below 40�, it will send out a signal to SmarthomeLive.
The final part of the set-up is to program a macro in SmarthomeLive so that when it detects a low-temperature signal from the TempLinc, it will respond by sending you an e-mail and/or displaying it on your desktop display.
For more solutions, visit our Solution of the Week Archive.
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