FAQ

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

These are the most commonly asked questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have unanswered questions.

what makes our sensors the best

Our sensors use unmatched technology. They use a different bandwidth than WiFi to couumnicate.  The protocol is called LoRa (LOng-RAnge).

With LoRa based sensors, our reach is unparalled. They can communicate through concrete walls and over long distances – up to 1/4 mile.

With LoRa, the devices require much less power than non-LoRa sensors. As such, the batteries can last as long as 10 years.*  Our app monitors the battery strength of every sensor and will alert you if a battery starts to get weak.

In contrast, most water sensors use WiFi, Z-wave, or Zigbee.  All of which have a much shorter range and consume significantly more power. Often times the batteries of competing devices will last only 3 months.

*The exception is the freezer sensor. It lives in a zero degree environment where batteries last up to one year. Still longer than any other freezer sensor on the market.

 

How many sensors do you need
Water sensors are placed where water is likely to leak such as bathrooms, kitchen, dishwasher, ice maker, laundry, water heater and sump pump. These make up your so-called “soft plumbing” areas. They are responsible for 90% of all water leaks.

You can click on the “Sizing” tab in the menu for our sizing tool.

Here is our recommendation for water sensors for the most effective coverage:

Kitchen: 3 water sensors, each placed under the sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator.
Laundry: 1 water sensor placed behind on the ground the washer.
Bathroom: 1 water sensor under each sink, and 1 placed on the ground by each toilet.
Water heater: 1 water sensor placed on the ground.

Freezer sensor: Placed inside on a shelf (or hanging from a shelf) near the back.

Sump pump (float) sensor: Affixed to the drain pump where the float is slightly higher than the normal maximum water level.

How do our systems compare to the Moen Flo-Smart system

Our system is superior in a number of ways.

First, the Moen system “learns” your water usage. As such, if it detects something unusual that will trigger an alert. Unfortunately, something “unusual” may be as simple as washing your car on a Saturday afternoon. Or taking a shower at an unexpected time of day. Such events trigger the Moen system to issue an alert.

Once an alert is issued, the Moen system will wait five minutes for the notified user to respond as to whether this is a “normal” event or not. If there is no response, it will shut off the water.

There are obvious downsides to this approach. First, even if it is a legitimate leak, the system will let the water run as much as five full minutes before turning the water off. If the leak was caused by a burst washing machine hose for example, you would have five minutes of a full hose running in your house before the water was turned off. By contrast, when one of our water sensors detect a leak the water valve will be shut off in seconds.

The second problem is for the Moen system to determine what is “normal”.  Suppose you decide to take a shower at a different tme than “normal”.  The system would alert you on your phone (which you obviously don’t have with you in the shower), and if there is no response within 5 minutes the water will be turned off…with you still standing in the shower.

Third, the shut off valve must be installed inline. Meaning a plumber may be required. Our SI systems require no plumbing.

And finally, our systems come pre-configured in a kit. You simply plug the hub into an outlet & your router – where it will automatically connect to the internet, place the sensors, download the app and login to a pre-configured account.

Can I Install the system myself?

Yes! Our SI systems come pre-configured in a kit. You simply plug the hub into an outlet & your router – where it will automatically connect to the internet, place the sensors, download the app and login to a pre-configured account.

If you select a kit with a motorized valve operator you simply remove the handle from your existing valve and place the motorized valve operator over the top of your valve. You tighten one screw on the valve, place two hose clamps around your pipe and tighten, the plugin the controller.

If you select an inline motorized valve you will need to plumb the valve in. You can replace your existing valve or cut into your pipe after your existing valve, use appropriate connectors  and thread the new motorized valve in place.

Four our PI systems we take care of the complete installation for you.

How long does it take to receive my system?

For the SI products we typically ship within one business day.

For the PI products, we will contact you to arrange a schedule. We typically alow 2-3 weeks from the time you order to the completion of installation.

How long is the warranty?

The products are warranted for one year.

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