Smart-Home Winter Readiness

How Automation Protects Your Ottawa Home in a Deep Freeze

Those of you who live in Ottawa know that winter translates to a long season of snow, extreme cold, icy conditions, and deep freezes. As we write this, a polar vortex is bringing in the coldest air of the season with bitter wind chills and dangerous blizzard conditions. 

And with it comes frozen pipes, increasing energy usage, and potential power outages. 

At Lucent Controls, we partner with Control4, a leader in home automation, and Lutron, the global leader in lighting control. Together, they create safer winter environments through sensors and automated technology, reducing costs and increasing peace of mind. 

Let’s explore the benefits of smart home living as a cold front approaches.

SEE ALSO: Enhancing Home Comfort with Integrated Motorized Shades

Frozen Pipes & Water Sensors

According to the City of Ottawa, approximately 2,000 homes and businesses have shallow or poorly insulated water pipes, making them more vulnerable to freezing. If these pipes burst, severe structural damage may result, including sagging ceilings and warped floors. Electrical hazards, mold growth, and property damage are potential issues if not addressed immediately. 

A smart home helps protect your property by detecting rising moisture levels. When these issues are identified, your home immediately turns off the main water supply to prevent significant damage. These environmental systems send an immediate alert, keeping you aware no matter where you are in the world. 

A Smart Home’s Response as Temperatures Drop

Windows are a major contributor to energy inefficiency, accounting for about 25-30% of residential heating use due to heat loss through their panes. Motorized shades help manage this loss by providing a layer of insulation. Automated honeycomb cellular shades offer even greater energy savings, reducing heat loss by up to 40% and lowering heating energy use by up to 20%. These shades feature a honeycomb design with cells that trap air between the shade and the window, creating an insulating barrier that keeps the home warmer. 

Lutron automated shades automatically rise and lower based on sunlight and temperature. For instance, in the winter, a “Winter Warm” setting ensures the shades on the South-facing windows remain open during the day, letting in the sun’s warmth. As the temperature begins to drop, the shades lower, retaining the heat and reducing energy usage and the strain on your HVAC system. 

Automated Heating Zones

Control4 seamlessly integrates with climate zones, radiant floor heating, and HVAC systems. This home automation system can manage your home's heat based on occupancy in separate zones, such as the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. When everyone leaves the room, the thermostat lowers. When you leave your home for the day, it switches to eco-mode. 

While you’re away, it continues monitoring your home's temperature and notifies you if it changes significantly. Should a sudden drop occur, it may indicate a power outage or a tripped breaker, a frozen condensation line, heating system failure, or exhaust vents covered by snow or ice.

Remote Monitoring & Control When You’re Away 

In addition to keeping an eye on your home when you’re away, you can also use the mobile app to manage it. Before you leave work, turn up the thermostat and illuminate the entryway lights to ensure you arrive at a warm, inviting home. 

An Ottawa Winter Checklist

With winter in full force, it’s essential to be extra mindful of keeping your home safe and warm. Consider the following when winterizing your home:

• Check the Insulation: Proper insulation keeps the warmth in and the cold out. Check the attic, crawl spaces, and walls to ensure it’s in good condition.

• Seal Doors and Windows: A cold draft can cause your HVAC system to work overtime, resulting in increased energy costs. Weatherstripping is one of your best wintertime friends, enabling you to seal any gaps. 

• Check Your Heating System: Make sure all your vents are unobstructed and clear, and consider having a professional check your system before a cold spell settles in. 

• Pipe Protection: Make sure any pipes exposed to freezing temperatures are well insulated to avoid freezing, cracking, and costly repairs. 

At Lucent Controls, we provide high-performance, customized home automation solutions that elevate everyday living, reduce energy costs, and increase peace of mind. To learn more about protecting your home in Ottawa during a deep freeze, contact Lucent Controls.