Why Your Smart Thermostat Matters for Home Security A smart thermostat does more than save on energy bills. When integrated with your security system, it becomes an active part of your defense — adjusting temperatures when you arm/disarm, simulating occupancy while you’re away, and alerting you to HVAC anomalies that could signal a break-in (like […]
Smart Home Devices
LiveWatch Security Review 2026: Monitronics Bought It, Killed the Brand, Then Went Bankrupt — Full Timeline and What to Buy Now
LiveWatch Security: The Full Story LiveWatch Security was genuinely ahead of its time. Founded in 2002 in Evansville, Indiana, they built a complete online DIY security model years before Ring, SimpliSafe, or Abode existed. You ordered online, they shipped a pre-programmed system, you installed it yourself, and professional monitoring started immediately. Then in 2017, Monitronics […]
Best Window Alarm Sensors 2026: Contact Sensors, Glass Break, Installation, and Cost
Window sensors cost $10-40 each and cover the entry point burglars use 23% of the time (FBI UCR data). Magnetic contact sensors ($10-20) detect when a window opens. Glass-break sensors ($25-40) detect shattered glass from 15-25 feet. Vibration sensors ($20-30) catch both. We ranked 5 sensors by detection range, false alarm rate, and battery life. Abode’s mini door/window sensor ($15) is the best value — works with Z-Wave, HomeKit, and CUE automations. SimpliSafe and Ring sensors cost $15-25 but lack Z-Wave and HomeKit. Installation takes 5 minutes with adhesive backing.
