DIYControls.com

New DIYControls Blog!

2011-07-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Please visit us at our new location, blog.diycontrols.com

Cellular Freeze Alarm: Does it exist?

2010-10-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

So you've got a vacation home without a landline and are concerned that if your heat goes out, you could be facing a disaster. Although there isn't a standalone product on the market that can function as a cellular freeze alarm, there is a simple way to combine two products to achieve the same objective.

Item 1 of 2: Cellular Terminal

A cellular terminal is a device that generates a dial tone via cellular. To choose the best one for your situation, consider two things: which carriers work at the location, and which carrier you currently use. If the carrier you use for your primary cell phone works in your vacation home, consider adding a second line to your existing plan for a cellular terminal compatible with that carrier. Another option for any of the cellular terminals is to obtain a prepaid plan. These can be very economical, but pay attention to expiration dates when purchasing minutes. Review our Cellular Terminal Comparison Chart to help you select a cellular terminal.

Item 2 of 2: Freeze Alarm

Once you've got a cellular dial tone, all you need is a freeze alarm. Our Freeze Alarms Comparison Chart will help you select the perfect model for your vacation home.

Mission Accomplished!

Although there may not be a single "cellular freeze alarm", it is quite simple to monitor your vacation home for low temperatures over cellular. As always, if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to contact us at support@diycontrols.com.

Tell Us About It!

If you've implemented a cellular freeze alarm solution in your home, tell us about it in the comments below!

5 Reasons To Get A Pool Alarm

2010-07-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

1) First and foremost, get a pool alarm to protect the children in your household. A traditional pool alarm like the Poolguard or Aquaguard mounts on the side of the pool, and for extra protection, you can have your child wear a Safety Turtle wristband immersion alarm.

2) A pool alarm will also protect neighborhood children who may wander into your pool area. A really loud one like the Swim Alert could likely be heard by neighbors even if you're not home.

3) Dogs, cats, and other animals are just as susceptible to pool accidents as children are. Certain pool alarms, such as the PoolPatrol, can alert you when anything 8lbs or heavier enters the pool.

4) It's the law. Most cities and/or states now have laws requiring pool alarms and/or door and gate alarms. Door and gate alarms with no delay like the Poolguard DAPT-WT Door Alarm are available to satisfy local codes.

5) You will be the envy of your non-tech-savvy neighbors when you brag about the new "high-tech subsurface wave detection device" that you just installed in your pool. They don't need to know that anyone who can drill a hole can install a pool alarm.

Check out the handy Pool Alarm Comparison Charts at DIYControls.com to help you pick out the right alarm for your pool. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your new found peace of mind and bragging rights.

Internet Thermostats Save on Air Conditioning Costs

2010-06-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's that time! Sweltering heat and awful humidity make you want to crank up that AC! Unfortunately, your electric bill will get cranked up right along with it. Programmable thermostats come in handy to help save on air conditioning costs, if your life operates like clockwork. But many people don't have the luxury of a perfectly predictable schedule. Perhaps you have an event to go to one evening and you won't be home until late...do you want your programmable thermostat cooling the empty house all evening for you?

That dilemma is solved with the BayWeb Internet Thermostat. The BayWeb thermostat offers full control of your thermostat from any internet-connected computer or web-enabled mobile phone. You can set a schedule if you'd like, but you can also override that schedule on-the-fly from anywhere at anytime.

The BayWeb also offers many other nifty features, like the ability to use motion sensors for occupancy-based heating or home security alerts. It even tracks your HVAC system's energy usage.

Stop paying to cool an empty house! The BayWeb thermostat, starting at $199, will more than pay for itself. Check it out at DIYControls.com.