News Posts

Today, as a result of the Coronavirus's spread, we have made the decision to close our Florida office. Our goal is to do this process without causing a huge disruption. That said, we will be a bit short-staffed for a few hours this morning. While the office staff is taking their workstations home and getting set up, our staff in Kentucky and Connecticut will be picking up the slack.

Much of this will be happening this morning. We are hoping that everyone will be up and running, fully staffed by 11am EST.

Because of this transition, however, please be courteous when you call. Understand that we are not at 100% early this morning. If you get the option to leave a message, rest assured, we will get to your call. We are attempting to do our part to make sure that we as a nation can "flatten the curve," as well as working to ensure that we are able to continually provide service to all of you throughout this crisis.

Be safe!

Users of 2GIG GC2e and 2GIG GC3e Systems now have a great new environmental sensor option in the 2GIG FT6e-345 Wireless Encrypted Flood & Temperature Sensor. The versatile sensor offers water leak, high temperature, and freeze detection. It uses encryption for enhanced wireless security.

Installing flood sensors and temperature sensors is a great way to prevent serious property damage to your home or business. You can get remote alerts from your monitored security system through an interactive platform like Alarm.com. This way, you will be notified right after the water leak begins or your HVAC system malfunctions so that you can take action before significant damage occurs. This can save you thousands.

What's interesting about the 2GIG FT6e-345 is that it does not use a detached probe for flood detection. Instead, there are built-in metal contacts on the top and the bottom of the sensor to detect leaks. The paths leading up to these contacts are sloped so that liquid is detected faster. This is important for ensuring a fast response in case of a flood or serious water leak.

You do not need any tools to install the 2GIG FT6e-345. Simply place it in a location where leaks are likely to occur, and program the sensor to the panel. Popular locations for the 2GIG FT6e-345 include underneath sinks, below hot water heaters, under refrigerators, and behind toilets. You might also use one in your basement if it is prone to flooding.

Another great aspect of the 2GIG FT63-345 is that it makes for an effective temperature sensor. For high temperature detection, the sensor alerts the system upon sensing a temperature of 95°F or higher for three (3) consecutive minutes. On the low end, the sensor sends out an alert upon sensing a temperature of 41°F or lower for three (3) consecutive minutes. This will give you time to take action before your pipes freeze.

The 2GIG FT6e-345 uses three (3) system zones for full functionality. Each wireless zone is programmed with a different Loop Number for different functionality. Loop 1 is for flood detection. Loop 2 is for high temperature detection. Loop 3 is for freeze detection. If you do not need to use each function for the sensor, then you can skip programming the zone for the associated Loop Number.

We are excited to welcome the 2GIG FT6e-345 as a new addition to the 2GIG eSeries Encrypted Sensor lineup! Remember that using encrypted sensors makes it virtually impossible for potential intruders to hack or spoof your system. For anyone with a 2GIG GC2e or GC3e System, using 2GIG eSeries Sensors is strongly recommended. They are super easy to program, and they provide effective results.

If you have any questions about the 2GIG FT6e-345 or any of our other products, or if you want to learn more about our monitoring services, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Our support team operates from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

At roughly 9:45 PM on Wednesday March 11, 2020, the Resideo AlarmNet360 Servers and the Total Connect 2.0 platform experienced some technical difficulties. Users were unable to control their systems through the Total Connect 2.0 platform. These issues were later restored at roughly 2:25 AM.

We would like to apologize for any issues that this may have caused, and we expect all Total Connect 2.0 services to work as normal. If you are still experiencing issues, we recommend emailing our support team at support@alarmgrid.com immediately. Remember that we are available from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We will provide a further update if these issues reemerge, but we anticipate no further issues.

Update: Resideo reports that there may still be some lingering issues for some users. However, we have tested our systems and found them to be working fine. Please contact us for assistance if you are still experiencing problems. We expect these issues to be fully resolved shortly.

2nd Update: Resideo reports that the issues have been fully resolved. Please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com if you are still experiencing issues.

The alarm industry is continuing to deal with the ongoing Coronavirus. We have received recent news that many Alarm.com products, including most Alarm.com Security Cameras, are on back order and are unable to be ordered at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please note that this has absolutely no effect on the Alarm.com Servers or alarm monitoring service in general. If you are an Alarm Grid customer, you have absolutely zero fear about this world health epidemic affecting your service or causing any disruptions. Our central station partner, Criticom Monitoring Services, is based entirely out of the United States, so Coronavirus will have little, if any, impact.

Just please understand that many of our manufacturers are experiencing severe hardships at this time. It's possible that more products may be back ordered in the near future as well. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience, and we expect manufacturing to return to normal once the disease passes over.

At this time, it appears that Qolsys and Alarm.com are the manufacturers being most affected by the pandemic. In the event that you order an unavailable product, we will let you know ASAP and recommend an alternative to the best of our ability. In many cases, there is a good alternative that will meet your needs.

If you have any questions about product availability or the monitoring services we offer, please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. Our support team operates from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We are happy to address any concerns you might have and suggest alternative products if necessary.

Reed Exhibitions, the organizers of ISC West, has announced that ISC West 2020 has been postponed due to health & safety concerns associated with COVID-19 Coronavirus. The event was scheduled to take place March 18th - 20th. It will now occur in July, with exact dates being confirmed later.

Alarm Grid has provided consistent and extensive coverage of ISC West for several years. Our team had been looking forward to attending and covering the event this year through the previously scheduled dates. While we are disappointed that the event has been postponed, we understand and respect the decision made by Reed Exhibitions. Our team will be ready for the ISC West 2020 event in July. We plan to provide in-depth and comprehensive coverage like we do every single year.

For a full statement from Reed Exhibitions, please click here. Alarm Grid will provide an update once the new dates for ISC West 2020 are confirmed. Keep checking our blog for more details.

Update: ISC West 2020 is now scheduled for Monday, July 20th thru Wednesday July 22nd.

As you have likely heard, mainland China is currently dealing with the Coronavirus crisis. This disease has resulted in inventory shortages and manufacturing delays throughout the security industry. Certain products sold by Alarm Grid may be currently unavailable or delayed as a result.

Many of the products sold by Alarm Grid are backordered as China deals with this epidemic. This is completely out of our control, and there is very little we can do to combat the issue. If an item you have ordered is unavailable, we will do our best to recommend a suitable replacement or provide you with an estimate on when the product should be available. We apologize for any inconvenience that may result from this issue. We ask for your understanding and patience during this time. If you would like to know the status of a specific product or if you have any questions about any of the products on our site, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

We have great news for Total Connect 2.0 users today, as Resideo has made it recently made it possible for a maximum of five (5) SkyBell Video Doorbell devices to a single Total Connect 2.0 account. SkyBell devices are still integrated with Total Connect 2.0 in the same manner as before.

If you are unfamiliar with SkyBell Doorbells, they are perfect for monitoring the front of your home and getting activity alerts. These devices conveniently connect with your home's WIFI network, and they can easily replace nearly any doorbell that uses a standard mechanical chime. There is also an adapter available that allows a SkyBell to replace a doorbell that uses a digital chime. Total Connect 2.0 can send updates to your phone whenever a SkyBell device detects motion or whenever someone rings the doorbell. You can also get updates through the native SkyBell app.

Previously, it was possible to only enroll a single SkyBell device with a Total Connect 2.0 account. Users wanting to integrate a second SkyBell device with Total Connect 2.0 needed to get a second account set up. But for many users that will no longer be necessary. And if you were hesitant about getting a second SkyBell because you didn't want to pay extra for an Alarm Grid Video-Only Account, well no you no longer need to worry about that. This is truly the perfect time for you to expand upon your existing SkyBell account.

You do not need true video monitoring service to start using SkyBell Cameras. As long as you have a Total Connect 2.0 account with the SkyBell feature enabled, you will be able to integrate up to five (5) devices with your account. You will need to have your monitoring company enable the feature. Alarm Grid will enable the feature at no additional charge for customers who use our monitoring services. Just contact us at support@alarmgrid.com if you need to have the feature enabled.

We understand that there are some Alarm Grid customers who have existing video accounts for the sole purpose of adding extra SkyBell device. There are even a few Alarm Grid customers with third and fourth accounts just for using extra SkyBell Cameras. The great news for these customers is that these extra accounts no longer necessary. We can deactivate your extra accounts if you have them and help you set up all your SkyBell devices into a single account, provided that you have five (5) or less SkyBell devices. If you fall into this category, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com.

We are also aware that there may be some customers who want to use more than five (5) SkyBell Cameras with a single Total Connect 2.0 account. Unfortunately, this is not possible. This 5 device limit is strict, and we have no way of increasing it. However, you can still use the same solution as before for adding additional SkyBell Cameras beyond the limit. You can add an additional Alarm Grid Video Monitoring Account, and you will be able to set up your additional SkyBell devices with that account. Each account will allow you to use five (5) additional SkyBell Cameras. If you want to use up to ten (10) SkyBell Cameras, you will need two (2) accounts. If you want to use 15 SkyBells, you will need three (3) accounts. And so on.

At this time, Alarm Grid only sells one (1) SkyBell Camera for use with Total Connect 2.0. This is the Honeywell SkyBell DBCAM-TRIM. That is the rectangular version of the SkyBell. The round model, the Honeywell SkyBell DBCAM is discontinued and no longer sold by Alarm Grid. But if you come across the round model somewhere else, then you can certainly set it up for use with Total Connect 2.0. Just remember never to use an Alarm.com SkyBell with Total Connect 2.0 or the SkyBell App.

Keep in mind that SkyBell clips are stored on the SkyBell servers. They are not stored on Total Connect 2.0 or AlarmNet360. This means that SkyBell clips will not count towards your Total Connect 2.0 recording limits. They will also not count towards your security camera limits. If you already have Total Connect 2.0 Security Cameras set up, then you can add up to five (5) SkyBell devices without needing to change or remove any of your existing cameras. Remember that SkyBell video clips are available from the SkyBell servers for up to seven (7) days. After that, they are lost forever and no longer available. But it is possible to download and save any clip for permanent use. Just make sure you do so before the clip is deleted forever.

If you want to learn more about the SkyBell Cameras or our monitoring service for accessing Total Connect 2.0 using a Honeywell Security System, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We maintain support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Resideo has discovered that certain Honeywell LTE-XV and Honeywell LTE-L3V Communicators have a firmware issue that makes them unable to appear in AlarmNet360. The affected communicators can still process signals and report to the central station. But these affected units must be replaced.

The Honeywell LTE-XV is a Verizon LTE Communicator for Honeywell VISTA Systems, while the Honeywell LTE-L3V is a Verizon LTE Communicator for Honeywell L3000 Systems. Only certain LTE-XV and LTE-L3V units are affected. The affected units will have a date code ranging from C305 to C365 or from D001 to D023. Modules outside of those listed dates are unaffected.

If you need to locate the date code for your LTE-XV or LTE-L3V, then it is very easy to find. You can locate the code on the inside of the module itself on the lower-left corner of the MAC sticker. Remember, date codes from C305 to C365 and from D001 to D023 may be affected. These date codes are associated with manufacture dates from November 2019 through January 2020.

Additionally, not all units within the aforementioned date codes are affected. If the communicator has a blue dot on the module or on the product packaging, then it is not affected. The images below show units with blue dots on the packaging, meaning they are not affected by the issue.

Keep in mind that these blue dots will also appear on the communicators themselves. Any communicator with a blue dot is unaffected and does not need to be replaced. Remember, this issue only affects LTE-XV and LTE-L3V units. Other AlarmNet Communicators are not affected.

If you have a Honeywell LTE-XV or Honeywell LTE-L3V without a blue dot on the packaging or on the module itself, check for the listed date code to see if your module is affected. More information on this issue can be found in this document provided from Resideo.

If you believe that you have an affected communicator, or if you need help locating the date code for the module, please contact us at support@alarmgrid.com. We operate support hours from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm.com users have a lot to look forward to in the coming days. The security and automation platform is expected to soon release updated versions of its Android and iOS mobile apps. Additionally, updated weather text messaging features are now available for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2.

Whether you use the Alarm.com Android App or the Alarm.com iOS App, you should expect to upgrade to a new version in the coming days. The new Alarm.com Android App version is 4.10.16, while the new Alarm.com iOS App version is 4.11.1. Once available, the Android version can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store, and the iOS version can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store. You likely have a section on your phone where you can update your existing app, or your phone may perform the update automatically if enabled.

There aren't many major changes coming to the Alarm.com Mobile App with this update. However, it is still strongly recommended that you download the latest version, as some stability and performance issues have been addressed. Additionally, the new app versions feature a brand-new dashboard card and screen for shade automation control. This is great news for Alarm.com users who use Z-Wave shade controllers, such as the Somfy ZDMI or Somfy ZRSTi, which are both compatible with certain Somfy curtain motors. In previous app versions, curtain motors were controlled from the same card and screen used for smart lighting.

In other news, Qolsys IQ Panel 2 users can now receive updated weather-related text message alerts from Alarm.com. This update provides improved clarity for existing weather descriptions to ensure that end users can better understand their local weather forecasts. Weather texts are sent in English, though improved translations for Spanish and French are also available from Alarm.com.

The Alarm.com IQ Panel 2 weather text alerts are available for any Qolsys IQ Panel 2 or IQ Panel 2 Plus System running Firmware Version 2.4.0 or higher. The system must be connected with Alarm.com, and the Weather to Panel Service Package Add-On must be applied to your account. If you do not have this feature applied, talk to your alarm monitoring provider about having the feature added to your account. Alarm Grid customers can have this feature applied at no additional charge to their existing monthly monitoring fee.

If you don't have access to Alarm.com, then now is a great time to get started. You will first need a security system with a compatible Alarm.com Cellular Communicator. Right now, our most popular Alarm.com Security System is the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus. This system comes dual-path ready right out of the box with a built-in Alarm.com Cellular Communicator and a WIFI card. This is important, as you will not need to add a communicator to the system. You will also need a compatible monitoring plan to access Alarm.com. Alarm Grid customers can choose from any of our Gold or Platinum Level Plans (Self or Full). More information is available on our monitoring page.

If you have any questions about Alarm.com or our monitoring service, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We are happy to answer any questions you might have and assist you with getting set up with a security system to meet your unique needs. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to hearing from you!

With a new year comes reduced pricing on many of our great existing products. We have just dropped the prices on 73 of our existing offerings. You can certainly find something great to upgrade your existing system or use with a new installation. Let's check out these awesome products!

Before we go through and list each and every reduced price product, we figured we'd go through and talk about some of the ones that excite us the most. After all, sorting through a list of 73 products is pretty daunting. Our initial "best-of" list may help you find exactly what you're looking for. These products are great if you have an existing system, or if you are building a new system and want to add some cool accessories.

These products are presented in alphabetical order:

Alarm.com ADC-V723 Outdoor Camera

The ADC-V723 is the current flagship outdoor security camera for use with the Alarm.com platform. This simple, yet powerful camera makes the perfect addition to any home or small business. It can capture video at up to 1080p quality, and it makes use of High Dynamic Range (HDR) to improve image depth and luminosity.

Alarm.com T2000 Smart Z-Wave Thermostat

If you are still looking for a smart Z-Wave thermostat, then the ADC-T2000 is an outstanding entry-level option. It conveniently wires in place of your existing thermostat to give you smart control over your HVAC system. It can pair nicely with both the Alarm.com and Total Connect 2.0 platforms. You just need a compatible Z-Wave hub to get started.

DSC PG9312 Outdoor Door/Window Sensor

The DSC PG9312 is the premier outdoor contact sensor for any user with a PowerG-compatible security system. It offers a maximum magnet spacing gap of 1.75", which gives you more flexibility in choosing a location for the sensor and magnet. Like all PowerG Sensors, it offers a wireless range of up to 2 km away from the panel, as well as 128-bit AES encryption.

DSC PG9914 Motion Sensor

Anyone with a PowerG Security System looking to add a basic indoor motion sensor should turn to the DSC PG9914. This is a simple, yet effective motion sensor that is great for use in nearly any home or business. It offers a modest coverage area of 39 feet, and the sensor provides pet immunity for small animals weighing up to 85 lbs.

Encore FireFighter FF345 Smoke/CO Listening Module

The Encore FireFighter FF345 is perfect if you have existing high-voltage smoke detectors that you want to integrate into a 345 MHz wireless system. The module can detect both the Temporal 3 sound of an activated smoke detector and the Temporal 4 sound of an activated CO detector. And if your high-voltage devices are one-go-all-go, then a single FF345 can takeover your entire network.

Honeywell 5822T Garage Door Tilt Sensor

Also for 345 MHz system users, the Honeywell 5822T allows your system to monitor your garage door to see if it's opened or closed. This wireless sensor works great for security and automation purposes alike. You might even create a special smart scene that activates as soon as the 5822T detects that you garage door has been opened!

Honeywell IPCAM-WIC1 Indoor Camera

The Honeywell IPCAM-WIC1 Indoor Camera is for anyone with an existing Total Connect 2.0 Video Monitoring service plan that they want to expand upon. This is a simple and straightforward camera that captures video at up to 720p quality. It can be easily rested on a desk or table, and no hard-mounting is required.

Qolsys IQ DW MINI-S Door/Window Sensor

The Qolsys IQ DW MINI-S can be used by anyone with a 319.5 MHz wireless system, including the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus w/ Legacy Interlogix & Qolsys Daughtercard. This is a straightforward door and window contact sensor that makes a nice addition to any compatible system. Its small and compact design allows for a tidy installation.

Please see our complete list of reduced price products in the table below, organized by product type:

If you have any questions about these products or any of the other products on our site, including product compatibilities, please reach out to us. You may also contact us if you want to learn more about our monitoring services. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. Or you may call us at (888) 818-7728. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. We look forward to helping you find the perfect product for your needs!