Hot tech for a cold climate

Baby, its freezing outside. And February is far from over.

So heres some hot technology that can keep your home safe and keep you entertained while you hunker down under the blankets.

Frozen Water

A friend who posted a note about the pipes in his kitchen freezing this week reminded me of one of the dangers of protracted frigid weather: water leaks.

Photo: WallyHome.com

The sensors need to be placed near pipes or potential trouble spots. They include disposable lithium-ion batteries that the company says should last for about 10 years. Wally also works with the Nest smart thermostat in a single app, simplifying monitoring, particularly for people with a second home or for those lucky enough to be on vacation.

While the $299 price for Wally may deter some shoppers, keep in mind that detecting one threatening temperature drop or early leak can save a home owner thousands of dollars in repairs. One caveat: if youve got a large, older home with idiosyncratic wiring, you may have difficulty making a connection to the Wally hub from distant corners of your abode.

Video Guard Dog

Photo: Guardzilla.com

Guardzilla is a noteworthy new model for its easy installation, modest price (its $100, which is half the price of the Dropcam Pro ), and the fact that it can sound an audible siren when an intruder is detected.

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Hot tech for a cold climate