Rant: Rolled my eyes at that new wireless sensor tech. Now I'm eating my words.

I was on a job in Austin last month installing a basic wired system for a client, and the homeowner kept asking about wireless sensors for their windows since they were renting. I told them it was just a gimmick and not as reliable as hardwired. But then my boss made me go back and swap out a panel for their new wireless system after they threatened to cancel. I was so annoyed at first. But after installing it and testing the signal strength through their thick brick walls, I was honestly shocked at how fast it connected. The battery life says 5 years on the package too, which is wild. I still prefer wired for most houses, but I get it now for rental situations. Has anyone else had a system they hated at first end up being pretty decent?

2 comments

2 Comments

samw471mo ago

Alright, so that brick wall thing you mentioned, have you had any trouble with signal dropping after a few months? I did a similar swap for a rental duplex with old plaster and lathe, and the installer app showed solid signal. But three weeks later the homeowner said the kitchen sensor kept going offline. Turned out it was right next to a big metal fridge, which totally killed the signal. I moved it six inches over and it's been perfect since then. Still, for rentals where you can't touch the walls, wireless is way better than I ever gave it credit for.

mason_barnes1mo ago

Man with the brick walls thing, I have been there. Did a job in an old building downtown where the walls were basically solid concrete, and I figured the wireless signals would just bounce off. But these new sensors actually latched on fast. For rentals or apartments where you can't run wires through the walls, it's a total game changer. Just make sure you test the signal before you mount everything permanent, because one flaky connection will drive you nuts later. Still keep a few wired systems in the truck for houses I own, but I don't badmouth wireless as much anymore.