When it comes to cultivating monitored accounts and making customers ‘sticky,’ the little things really do matter. And in the case of growing monitored accounts, those little things (literally) are sensors. Unfortunately, sensors often take a back seat in terms of visibility when it comes to the connected home. Usually, it’s the fancy touchscreens, controllers and Z-Wave devices that get all the glory. But it’s important to remember that sensors play a key a role in customer safety—and in expanding their system.
To differentiate offerings in the midst of growing competition, dealers must engage their customers about how they can affordably extend home automation and security to the dwelling’s exterior and spaces that are typically overlooked.
The convenience of a connected home should be a standard expectation for any homeowner looking for a security system. However, if the homeowner is unaware of what a connected home can offer in improved lifestyle and peace of mind it is up to the dealer to present all the possible scenarios before his competition does. That’s the first step in developing a sticky customer.
Extended offerings can be especially useful for customers with seasonal properties or in swimming pool areas, storage facilities and attics. Here are a few practical suggestions for using sensors to expand customer systems and protect property.
Swimming Pool Areas
In addition to traditional pool alarms that sound when a person falls into the water, security sensors added to access doors and gates leading to pool areas can be an important layer of extended protection. Installation is fast and many of these systems are intuitive and easy to understand. For example, when pool access doors are opened, the system can trigger an alert within the home or send a text to a mobile device that notifies the homeowner. In fact, in many towns and cities it is mandatory that properties with pools pass an inspection that proves primary and secondary access points are armed with perimeter sensors. Many times, this standard for sensor alerts are required in addition to fences or gates that enclose a pool area.
Garages, Sheds & External Property Protection
Weather-resistant, wireless transmitters offer excellent detection and added security for valuable property stored in tool sheds and garages. They also provide security for property such as external air conditioning units. A recent rise in theft of the valuable copper has recently made outdoor wireless transmitters popular with homeowners. These transmitters contain added built-in security that allows installers to wire, loop and secure an air conditioner condensing unit from being tampered with or removed from its location. If the wires are cut or tampered with, the transmitter informs the system and an alarm is tripped to notify homeowners and scare off potential thieves.
Wireless motion detection is another useful control that is easy to install and is a simple solution for increased outdoor security. Wireless motion detectors that align with a central security system keep users aware of activity in areas of the yard that may not be easy to see from the house or around the perimeter of garages and sheds that store expensive equipment, such as ATVs or lawn mowers. These sensors send signals to a central system when outdoor wireless motion detectors pick-up unusual or unexpected activity. Solutions such as this keep homeowners aware of activities, like a package delivery or a car entering a driveway at odd hours of the night. They can be customized to send an awareness alert, or set off an alarm. Advances in the latest products also help make them immune to picking up activities set-off by animals that may be just be wandering by.
Flood and High Temperature Sensors
Flood sensors installed in basements, near washing machines or in bathrooms can detect flooding in the initial stages providing immediate alert of a possible issue. Early detection cuts down on flood risks, helps minimize water damage and associated repair costs insurance may not cover.
In addition, extreme temperature sensors in central living areas can keep homeowners aware of drastic changes in temperature. Customers on extended leave from their home, or who own vacation properties, will appreciate layers of notification. For instance, when a homeowner is away, the system can be programed to send a message if temperatures in the home are rising. This alert may indicate a malfunction in the HVAC system so homeowners can take action to address a potential problem and avoid costly repairs.
Early Detection
Most customers are open to the opportunity to discuss how they can add additional fire safety protection to his or her property. Simple integration of detection automation capabilities enable a home’s security system to detect when smoke is present, which triggers an alarm and communicates HVAC systems to shut down. This can slow how quickly smoke spreads from a fire source to other areas of a home, giving the family additional time to exit. The reverse protection is possible in the case of harmful gas detection, such as carbon monoxide. Early detection sensors that pick up traces of carbon monoxide will cause HVAC units to kick in and disperse the gases, in addition to setting off an alarm alerting persons to immediately exit the premises.
These days, homeowner customers are busier than ever. In the summer, they look forward to a chance to relax and enjoy vacation or time off. As always, dealers must stay one step ahead of customers and the competition to offer simple end-to-end solutions that provide homeowners with sought-after convenience, extended protection and life safety.
Just be sure to remember all of those “ends.” Touchscreens and apps are crucial, but so are the sensors. Getting creative in customer offerings can very well be the difference between whether you retain that customer or struggle to get his or her business back.
These days, homeowner customers are busier than ever. In the summer, they look forward to a chance to relax and enjoy vacation or time off. As always, dealers must stay one step ahead of customers and the competition by offering simple, end-to-end solutions that provide homeowners with sought-after convenience, extended protection and life safety.
Just be sure to remember all of those “ends.” Touchscreens and apps are crucial, but so are sensors. Getting creative in what you offer customers can very well be the difference in whether you retain that customer or struggle to try to get his or her business back.
