Detecting Household Water Leaks

By Walter Joseph

In Alarm.com’s homeowner survey, 84% of respondents said that would like to monitor water consumption more closely to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. Consider that wish fulfilled.

At the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Alarm.com launched the Water Dragon, a new whole-home water protection solution that’s always on guard against potential leaks and unexpected water usage.

The Water Dragon, which integrates with Alarm.com powered home security systems, is a compact device that uses ultrasonic technology to detect and promptly alert homeowners about water issues before they become major problems.

Homeowners can also use the Alarm.com app to monitor water usage trends for the day, week, and month, which can help them conserve water and save on utility bills.

The Water Dragon is one of the first products offered by Alarm.com that was built using Z-Wave Long Range protocol, which promises to significantly extend the range and reliability of Z-Wave devices and eliminates the need for Z-Wave repeaters. It will be available for purchase through Alarm.com service providers in the U.S. and Canada beginning in spring/ summer 2023.

Like many home security problems, water damage can happen quickly, unexpectedly, and out of sight. According to a recent survey of 1,200 homeowners conducted by Alarm.com, 83% believe that an automated detection system would prevent or lessen the outcome of water damage in their home. Furthermore, the need for an integrated solution is apparent, with the survey finding that 88% would like one app to control home security, provide water protection, and manage energy consumption.

“The Water Dragon is part of a comprehensive energy and water management offering that includes not only smart thermostats, water devices, and lights, but also solar and irrigation systems,” said Abe Kinney, senior director of product management at Alarm.com. “In the Alarm.com app, consumers can monitor and automate their energy usage to make smarter and more sustainable decisions that are better for their home, budgets, and reducing their carbon footprint.”

The survey also identified one of the top barriers for purchasing smart home connected devices is that they’re “difficult to set up.” But with Alarm.com’s first “no plumber needed” solution and “clip and zip” installation, consumers can securely attach the Water Dragon to the main water line in minutes, making it ideal for residential and small commercial properties.

The compact device can monitor for leaks where a traditional water sensor can’t be placed and notify property owners of unexpected water activity such as running toilets or hidden leaks in the walls and floors. The Water Dragon also allows users to monitor the temperature of their pipes and sends alerts for potential frozen pipes, safeguarding against catastrophic water damage.

Alarm.com-powered systems are professionally installed and monitored and are customized for each home and family. x

But Basic.

Basic Configuration Services help streamline your business by providing the networking products you need, ready to install right out of the box. Select the switches, routers, or access points required for your small-to-medium projects and our team of certified network engineers will pre-configure the devices to your unique specifications.