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Home Security Sensors to Protect During Winter

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By: Editor
December 18, 2019

Home Security Sensors to Protect During Winter

Winter weather can be boisterous, and that's putting it gently. There's a spike in the number of environmental emergencies during this time: hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms and more. Events like these can spring out of nowhere, so they can be difficult to prepare for. How can you make sure you’re ready?

Besides intrusion detection, the Frontpoint system can also be used to detect environmental threats – before serious damage can occur. And there’s no tacked-on monthly fee for environmental protection; all you need is the right environmental sensor for you and you're ready to roll. Here are the different types of sensors that can alert you to whatever Mother Nature has to throw at you.

Smoke and Heat Sensor

You might be thinking, what's the point of another smoke sensor when my home already came with one? It’s a fair question, and the answer is that the Frontpoint Smoke and Heat Sensor is a bit more robust than the built-in smoke detector that comes with many homes.

Our sensor has heat detection, meaning it can sense when a room is getting too hot, too fast, even if there's no smoke. If there is smoke, the sensor can detect smoke particles using photoelectronics.

Another major difference is that the Smoke and Heat Sensor is monitored, so there’s someone always making sure things are okay. If there’s a problem, both you and the authorities will be alerted. This isn't the case with built-in smoke detectors, as you have to be home in order to hear the detector.

Water and Flood Sensor

Environmental emergencies can occur inside of homes also – a burst pipe or a faulty washing machine can be just as damaging as a flood or tropical storm. A minor flood with several inches of water could cost at least $10,000 to repair.

A Water and Flood Sensor can help you prevent a small leak from turning into a big leak, by detecting water instantly. You can turn off the water source before it causes serious damage. It can also sound the alarm should you be caught unaware by flooding – like when you’re sleeping during a heavy rainstorm.

Carbon Monoxide Sensor

Carbon monoxide is another environmental threat, one that can be deadly. Toxic amounts of carbon monoxide can be produced by faulty devices found in your home, like a stove.

A Carbon Monoxide Sensor helps to prevent the worst from happening by detecting this odorless gas. When even a trace amount is detected, it’ll alert you so you can get out of harm’s way.

You can learn more about Frontpoint's environmental sensors here.

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Comments
Stan Poe
January 13, 2016
I now see the need for a couple of more additions to our home and small office FrontPoint protected system! The "water sensor" for just one thing. I can see adding one within the frame of the hot tub. We once had, what began as a small leak from a seal and it lead to "more problems" by the time we discovered it! THIS could help with that not happening again~
Mark
January 21, 2016
We have the Frontpoint system in our house in Calif.and are very satisfied. My question is will the your system work in our rural home in Pa.? We have no internet or phone and cell phone reception is based on where you are standing.if it works at all.Is there a way I can test to see if Frontpoint will work for us? Thank You. Mark McKenns
Valerie Saponara
January 22, 2016
Mark, our system is designed to work almost anywhere but in order to make sure it would, we would want to check your cell coverage at that second home's address. Based on those findings we would be able to tell you if our system would function 100% like it should. Feel free to give our Security Consultants or Support Specialists a call and ask them to check this for you. It should only take a few minutes and give you a better idea of how to protect that home!
ScienceMonkey
January 22, 2016
$50,000. That's what it cost to repair the flood damage in my basement last summer. We can't put a price tag on the irreplaceable things we lost or the emotional toll. We were out of town for six weeks and came home to eight inches of water in the basement. My former alarm company didn't us call despite receiving multiple warnings that the power went out and that the backup battery was failing. They confirmed they received the alarms. They had no explanation as to why they didn't call and failed to offer an apology. Two sumps, one with a backup battery, are worthless when the power is out for a month. Our security system was completely off for a month too. We now have a Frontpoint water sensor attached to a pipe 12 inches below the basement floor in one of our sump pits. When the contractor repairing the basement poured some water into the pit and triggered the sensor, my cell phone received an alarm within seconds, my wife's cell phone received and alarm within seconds, and we received a call on the home phone from Frontpoint within minutes. While I still have actual nightmares of water in the basement, I no longer have real fears when I'm awake.
Monte
January 22, 2016
I purchased a home in Colorado that has a full unfinished basement and it has a small sump pump, and I know nothing about basements or sump pumps, but the inspector said that the angle of the lot does angle toward the house. Would you suggest this sensor for me? I am a senior and moved to a small home in a beautiful older neighborhood and bought a modular home. I appreciate any info you could share
Allan
January 22, 2016
Frontpoint should add a "low-cost" temperature / freeze sensor to guard against furnace failures!
Eugene DeCarlo
January 22, 2016
We Winter in Florida and are looking to ADD a temperature warning to our system. We leave our furnace on 50 degrees to save walls and pipes. It would be nice if we could be alerted if the temperature drops. Any suggestions?
Valerie Saponara
January 25, 2016
Eugene, if you would like to monitor the temperature in that home we suggest you look into one of the various thermostats we can support. To learn more about those and what model numbers we work with please give our Support Team a call whenever you would like!
Craig
January 22, 2016
When are you planning to support a temperature monitor, we have a seasonal home and whilst it's great to know it is safe, I would love to be able to monitor the temperature inside. As with most remote homes there is no internet available so the only communication available is our FrontPoint system (which works great by the way).
Valerie Saponara
January 25, 2016
Craig, we can't give you an exact timeline on when we intend to look into temperate sensors, however, we do support a couple different thermostats that can be setup to warn you about various temperatures in the home if you want. Please give our Support Team a call if you'd like to learn more about those.
ron inverso
January 23, 2016
would like to purchase water sensor
Valerie Saponara
January 25, 2016
Ron, please feel free to give our Support Team a call and they would be able to order that sensor for you!
EeRichard Ihrke
January 25, 2016
Need low temperture warning if a heat source fails in the winter.
Valerie Saponara
January 25, 2016
Thank you for this suggestion and if you would like a way to monitor the temperature in your home while you're there or away, we do integrate with a couple thermostats that can do just that. Please give our Support Team a call if you're interested in hearing more about this!
Larry Wickter
January 26, 2016
I purchased a low temperature sensor from Frontpoint 60 days ago. Why isn't this being discussed as a solution to some of these inquiries?
Valerie Saponara
January 26, 2016
Larry, great question. We no longer sell this piece of equipment so it looks like you may have been one of the last people to purchase that sensor!
Charles Griffin
January 26, 2016
I noticed that you told several inquirers that you do not have a temperature sensor to alert the homeowner if his/her home is at risk of reaching freezing temperatures (only a thermostat that does so). However, I do have a freeze sensor (I believe it triggers if the air temperature where it is located drops to about 40 degrees F) that I purchased from FrontPoint when I installed my alarm system (also purchased from FrontPoint) about a year ago. Is that sensor no longer supported/active for some reason?? It has actually worked as intended the one time the temperature dropped in my home to that level.
Valerie Saponara
January 26, 2016
Charles, you are correct. We no long sell this piece of equipment for various reasons and suggest that if customers would like a way to monitor their home temperatures they should consider using a thermostat.
Stephen S
January 28, 2016
Regarding thermostats. I would love a remote thermostat, but my heating system is baseboard 240 volt electric, and I need a wall mounted high amperage thermostat. Will Frontpoint make one available? A lot of vacation homes in the NE use this heating system.
Valerie Saponara
January 28, 2016
Stephen, Frontpoint does not currently make thermostats. We only support various z-wave thermostats. Thank you for your question and we will send your comments over to our Products Team for future consideration.
Andrew
February 9, 2016
Great and simple post, thanks.
Wayne
June 14, 2016
I have a vacation home in North Carolina. I have baseboard heaters there (no AC) My system from Frontpoint is on its way to me. Can you recommend a thermostat to control the heater settings (and current temp)? Wayne
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