Laundry, basement and utility rooms
Updated
Water heater and washer leak alerts, sump pump alarms, freeze sensors and laundry-done notifications for the rooms where expensive problems start.
Water damage is one of the most frequent and costly home insurance claims, and it usually starts in the rooms nobody visits: behind the washer, under the water heater, in the sump pit. Cheap sensors in these spots, and an automatic shutoff valve if you own the home, are the highest-value smart home purchase for many households.
See our water leak protection kit for a complete list and sensor placement.
Kits 2
KitWater leak protection kit for a houseFive leak sensors, an automatic shutoff valve and a hub: the shopping list to catch leaks early and stop them before they flood the floor, with…KitLaundry room smart kitLeak sensors, cycle-done alerts and a humidity sensor for the laundry room, plus the dryer vent and hose upgrades that cut the usual fire and…
Guides 9
GuideTime-of-use rates: automating your home around peak hoursOn a time-of-use plan, the same kilowatt-hour costs more at peak hours. Learn how to read your rate, which loads are worth shifting and how to…GuideWhole-home energy monitor: what it shows and whether to buyA panel-mounted energy monitor shows where your electricity goes, but it does not save energy by itself and the installation involves live wiring.…GuideSmart control for an electric water heaterA timer or smart controller can trim water heating costs on time-of-use plans or while you are away. Learn what to check, why 240 V wiring needs…GuideSmart humidity control: humidifiers and dehumidifiersKeep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and below 60% at all times. Learn how to measure it, size a basement dehumidifier with continuous drain…GuideSmart water shutoff valve: actuator or inline valveA clamp-on actuator fits a quarter-turn main valve and costs much less; an inline motorized valve is installed by a plumber. Check your valve,…GuideSump pump alarm and backup optionsA high-water alarm warns you before the basement floods, a power alert tells you the pump has no electricity, and a battery backup keeps pumping.…GuideFreeze alerts for pipes: sensors that warn you earlySet the alert well above 32°F, put the sensor where the cold gets in and know what to do when it fires. Here is how to choose thresholds, places…GuideWasher and dryer done notification: 4 ways to set it upAdd a notification to a washer or dryer with an energy-monitoring plug, a vibration sensor or a circuit monitor. Never put a smart plug on a 240 V…GuideWhich dehumidifier size do you need for a basement?Choose capacity by how damp the space feels and how large it is, not by square footage alone. Use the ENERGY STAR pint chart, then check humidity…
Comparisons 3
ComparisonEnergy-monitoring plugs vs a whole-home energy monitorPlug-in monitors show one device at a time. A whole-home monitor reads your electrical panel. Compare cost, what each can see, installation and…ComparisonDehumidifier with a bucket or a continuous drain (hose or pump)A bucket needs emptying every day or two. A hose or built-in pump lets a dehumidifier run unattended in a basement. Compare convenience, cost and…ComparisonWater leak sensors or a whole-home flow monitorLeak sensors catch water on the floor where a leak starts. A flow monitor watches the main line for water running when it should not. See what…