Security Sales & Integration

September2013

SSI serves security installing contractors providing systems and services; surveillance, access control, biometrics, fire alarm and home control/automation. Coverage in commercial and residential product applications, designs, techniques, operations.

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Monitoring Matters REMOTE THERMOSTATS REPRESENT HOT RMR ADD-ON by Mark Matlock Mark Matlock is Senior Vice President at United Central Control Inc. (UCC), a wholesale monitoring station based in San Antonio. mmatlock@teamucc.com A s interactive security systems become arming or disarming of the security system," he said. "Tis more popular, one of the most desirable simple rule saves our customers, on average, $356 per year features is the ability to remotely control in energy expense. Termostat installation is by far the most thermostats through Web-enabled smart powerful return on investment for our customers." devices. Tis is a very appealing value proposition for conEgan went on to explain his technicians will program sumers and it's a great add-on for alarm dealers to include a rule so that if the fre alarm is activated, the air handler with their monthly monitoring fees. is automatically shut down. Tis keeps smoke from being While the revenue generated by these services is attracredistributed through the house and it stops fresh air from tive, there are some issues to consider. For one, there is much ventilating into the fre and making it worse. debate whether the thermostat is part of the HVAC system "We learned a lot about HVAC systems through trial and whether it can be serviced by someone who is not HVAC and error. Unfortunately, we blew up a few systems in the licensed. Granted, compliance will difer from jurisdiction process. I recommend that dealers use HVAC manufacturto jurisdiction. ers' online Web training and YouTube videos to learn how to In Texas, for example, the rules regarding HVAC systems properly install thermostats," Egan advised. changed when HB 2294 was signed into law in June. As a Egan also admonished dealers to not rush through an result the thermostat is no longer considered to be part of the installation and always shut of power at the secondary HVAC system, thereby paving the way for alarm installers transformer. Also, the wiring is not universal like a dialer to service and install thermostats without an HVAC license. connection. Installers should closely examine the wiring at Tis is big news for alarm dealers in Texas. the head end of the unit and make sure that they wire the It is important to understand that thermostat installation thermostat, accordingly. is not a cut-and-dry proposition. Not Egan's points are well taken: installThe popularity of just any thermostat can be installed ing alarm companies should exercise with an HVAC system. In cases where extreme caution when dealing with the new combined the HVAC system is new and under thermostats. If there is any doubt at alarm system and warranty, the alarm company may all about your company's thermostat high-tech home void the warranty by changing the installation skills, perhaps the best newly installed thermostat. I reautomation systems policy is to simply rely on third-party cently found this out when I had my licensed HVAC installing companies are requiring alarm for the installation. own thermostats changed. I have a new HVAC unit and I was told by the For decades now, alarm dealers have dealers to adopt installing company that even if anhad to master phone line connections skills in IT, HVAC other HVAC-licensed company did the to hook up alarm systems for central installation, my warranty would still station monitoring. Tat is a walk in the and locksmithing. be voided. park compared to the skillsets required to master the new home automation protocols. Te popularity of the new combined alarm system THERMOSTAT INSTALLATION BEST PRACTICES and high-tech home automation systems are requiring alarm Because I am not involved with the installation side of the dealers to adopt skills in IT, HVAC and locksmithing. electronic security business, I called on someone who has In many cases, the alarm company does not possess vast experience in this feld, Pat Egan, proprietor of Select some or all of these skillsets and may not have the proper Security in Lancaster, Pa. Egan stated that roughly 15% of all license required for the installation. In such cases, they newly installed Select Security alarm systems have remotemay have to rely on third-party vendors to complete their controlled thermostats as part of the installation. installations. Tese factors should be considered when "Select is careful to program rules into our customers' proposing these services. systems that adjust the temperature up or down 6° with the 52 / SECURITYSALES.COM / SEPTEMBER 2013

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