Security Sales & Integration January 2022 - 55

common current use, he contends, is the ability
to know if/when one's HVAC system has failed.
" The longer a broken or damaged air conditioner
is allowed to run, the more damage it
can do to the internal components, which may
result in a full replacement rather than a simple
repair, not to mention the danger to elements
of the home, like roof shingles, " he says. " Even
more disastrous is the impact on life. A broken
air conditioner or heater can be deadly to children,
pets, the elderly and the infirm. "
A broken heater can allow pipes to freeze,
resulting in bursting and flooding, ruining irreplaceable
possessions, and requiring costly insurance
claims. Temperature sensors, McLerran
adds, allow dealers to provide an early warning
system to the end user via on-screen alarms and
messages that will also be sent via text to the
mobile device.
" In cases where dealers are monitoring for
these types of conditions, these alerts can also
trigger the central station to call those on the
emergency contact list. This application has
been in place for years and has begun increasing
in popularity in the residential market, " he says.
MONITORING AIR WE BREATHE
Air quality detectors offer invaluable protection
and can also work in conjunction with a security
system. Abe Kinney Sr., director, product
management, Alarm.com, notes that when air
quality detectors are professionally monitored,
they offer real-time awareness.
" If the heat or AC is running when a fire
or carbon monoxide leak occurs, toxic fumes
spread faster, " he says. " There are also temperature
sensors that monitor humidity levels
in the home and can control humidifiers to
optimize for comfort. They can even control
dehumidifiers and the home's own AC to prevent
mold growth when high humidity levels
are detected. "
Kinney adds that COVID-19 has had a lot
to do with an emerging focus on air quality
in the home and business. " Customers have
an increased interest in systems that are smart
enough prevent the conditions that cause air
quality problems - even before they start.
In addition to humidity alerts, homeowners
can receive alerts about low temperatures or
HVAC malfunctions that could allow water
pipes to freeze and burst - which can not
only cause water damage but mold growth if
left " unchecked or undetected. "
securitysales.com
On the commercial side, indoor air quality
can be challenging as often both the improvements
or issues can't be seen, explains Sheeladitya
Karmakar, global offering leader, enterprise
access, Honeywell Building Technologies.
" To improve indoor air quality, we are
strongly encouraging building owners and
managers to monitor particulate matter, volatile
organic compounds and carbon dioxide if
they aren't doing so already, he says. " We expect
to see people continue to leverage their other
building systems to help improve the occupant
experience. For example, building managers
can leverage their security systems to monitor
people flow and count, which can impact not
only the building temperature but also CO2 or
particulate matter levels. "
Businesses can protect critical assets by
monitoring the temperatures of freezers/refrigerators,
server rooms, and medical supplies,
Kinney states. They can also receive alerts on
one app to help monitor for any major issues
like water leaks or temperature changes, which
can lead to major damage as well as health and
safety concerns.
RMR & SALES
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
As Hill points out, " Dealers charging a
monthly fee to monitor security may add a
fee for adding a couple of environmental sensors.
A homeowner's receptiveness to paying
more comes down to the benefit outweighUsers
can protect critical
assets by monitoring
temperatures of freezers/
refrigerators, server rooms
and medical supplies. Via an
app, they can also receive
alerts to monitor major issues
like water leaks.
Today,
homeowners are
looking for
expanded services
that include
monitoring and
notification when
environmental
factors are out of
the norm.
- Warren Hill, Alula
JANUARY 2022 Security Sales & Integration 55
http://www.Alarm.com http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales & Integration January 2022

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