It’s cold outside, so people lets get smart!

Here at Sun Home Automation the east coast winter freeze highlights the increasing value of our Smart Home Technology. A frozen pipe, frozen home heating device, or other cold weather catastrophe, can wreak havoc on homes and create large unexpected expenses.

When it comes to mother nature, sometimes you just have to take your lumps and hope the insurance company and/or your Home Savings Account (HSA) can save the day. However, there are new preventative measures you can take to reduce the opportunity for damage from extreme weather conditions.

“Smart” Prevention for “Smart” People

“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”    Carl Reiner

Whether occupied or vacant, a home outfitted with Smart Home Technology gives the owner a fighting chance against extreme weather. Recently our team viewed a newly renovated home with brand new heating and cooling systems. The house was vacant and even with new equipment was not heating properly or evenly. One of the thermostats, set at 66, was registering 59 degrees F and falling. Smart home features would have alerted the owners (or even the agent) to the temperature danger.

This experience prompted us to consult with several contractors, including Mark Fahed of Virginia Premier Plumbing. He told us when a home is vacant for even a short time frame, temperature settings should be higher than people realize, especially during periods of extreme cold. To help protect the home’s pipes, Fahed encourages homeowners to run their heat pump at higher than 60 degrees during these periods. For those who own vacant properties or are on the road during temperature changes, the advent of Smart Home Technology gives owners a valuable tool. A small up front investment can save literally tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

“Smart” New Products

Updated smart thermostats such as those currently offered by Nest provide precision control from anywhere with a smartphone; and if there’s a problem it can be addressed quickly, thereby mitigating damage to the home and wallet! Here are some more suggestions from the smart home experts at Sun Home Automation, one of Richmond’s leaders in smart home design and installation.

Try a smart camera. When one is dependent on a heat pump, having interior and exterior cameras alerts owners, managers, and even tenants to problems in a timely fashion.

Live feed cameras allow you to see problems like burst or gushing pipes, tree damage, vandalism on commercial buildings and other destructive conditions affecting the property. If you are a landlord you know that tenants aren’t always quick to notify until they are directly affected.

Smart lighting can also provide a sense of “mockupancy” and create the perception that a vacant home is occupied. In addition to providing security, safety and cost effectiveness, smart home devices add value to your home when the time comes to sell. To see some other interesting smart devices click here.

“Smart” Help is on the Way!

For more information or to schedule a free, no obligation smart home consultation, contact Sun Home Automation (804) 410-4786 or email Randy at randy@sunhomeautomation.com. We’d love the opportunity to exceed your expectations!