Category Archives: Uncategorized

June 11, 2012 · 10:05 pm

Z-Wave Wireless Home Control Module Goes Incognito


To connect lamps and appliances to your Z-Wave network, you used to plug a module into your power receptacle and then plug your lamp/appliance into the module. Now, Z-Wave has an in-wall receptacle, making it unobtrusive.

z-wave receptacle

Wireless Control In-Wall Split Receptacle

The Evolve Wall Receptacle replaces standard wall receptacles. The receptacle contains one Z-Wave AC outlet and one standard AC outlet. An LED shows feedback that the controlled device is working.

The duplex receptacle enables wireless control of on/off functions for standard incandescent table and floor lamps, fluorescent table and floor lamps, and small appliances. It replaces your current electrical outlet, uses your existing wiring, and provides a Z-Wave enabled outlet for the lamp/appliance that you would like to control and a regular pass-through AC outlet for other electrical devices.

The receptacle requires in-wall installation with hard-wired connections.

Any device displaying the Z-Wave logo can be incorporated in your Z-Wave network. Since Z-Wave operates on RF frequencies and every device is a repeater, the more devices you use, the better your network functions.

About Burns & McBride

The Burns & McBride Smart, Safe Home system uses Z-wave technology to tie things like locks, thermostats and lights together so that you can control them whether you are home or away. Burns & McBride has been providing essential home services since 1949. To learn more about Burns & McBride’s Smart, Safe Home can help you – callus at 302-656-5110 or visit our website at www.burnsandmcbride.com

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Filed under Energy Management, How Things Work, Installing and Mainaining, Uncategorized

June 11, 2012 · 9:58 pm

What the Heck is “Z-Wave”?


Z-Wave lets you build your home control system as your needs grow.

Z-Wave Video

Start with one module

As just one example, let’s say you started by adding Z-Wave remote control to your home lights. You can easily program them to shut off when you’re at work, and turn back on to welcome you when you return home, saving energy and money.

Add more modules as needed

You could then introduce more functions to this basic setup. Just add Z-Wave to your garage door, your home entry, and your home security system. When you arrive from work, push a button and all your Z-Wave devices will work in concert — the garage door will open, your entryways will light up, your security system will recognize you, and your front door will unlock. How’s that for remote control?

Easily build to a complete home control system

Once you’re inside, your home can welcome you with just the mood you want. Z-Wave can have your favorite music playing for you on arrival, and the thermostat set to your preferred temperature. While you were away, Z-Wave made sure the lawn sprinkler watered your lawn on schedule. If it had rained, you could have bypassed the sprinkler from work, from a PC or even a cell phone. When you’re ready to call it a night, a single button could turn off your house lights, activate your security system, turn down the thermostat, lock the doors, turn on the bedroom humidifier, and set up the coffee pot to greet you with a fresh cup when you awake.

All with one button. All added easily and inexpensively to your home. All with no new wiring. And all according to your budget and timetables, to meet your needs and your lifestyle. Z-Wave gives you simple, affordable, personalized control solutions.

About Burns & McBride

The Burns & McBride Smart, Safe Home system uses Z-wave technology to tie things like locks, thermostats and lights together so that you can control them whether you are home or away. Burns & McBride has been providing essential home services since 1949. To learn more about Burns & McBride’s Smart, Safe Home can help you – callus at 302-656-5110 or visit our website at www.burnsandmcbride.com

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Filed under Energy Management, How Things Work, Uncategorized

May 19, 2012 · 10:34 pm

Use affordable video to check on your home


The Burns & McBride Smart Safe Home system uses affordable, cutting edge technology from

System alerts and notifications offer great advances in home and business monitoring, but wouldn’t it be amazing if you could actually see what’s happening at home while you’re away? Burns & McBride Video allows you to do just that. It even offers options for outdoor and night-vision cameras to monitor what goes on in your yard or driveway.

Live Video

View real-time video of your home from one or more of your cameras. You can watch each angle one at a time, or take advantage of the Multi Camera View to see all camera views on a single screen.

Saved Video Clips

Easily set up your cameras to record video clips whenever motion is detected or during scheduled times. Then view, tag and search your clips to retrieve them later.

Video Alerts to Your Phone

Using any compatible cell phone or web-connected mobile device, you can access saved video clips and even view live feeds.* Recorded video clips can also be sent to your mobile device along with system alerts and notifications.

How it Works

Burns & McBride Home Comfort can offer you a variety of security-grade IP video cameras as part of our Smart, Safe home system Each camera includes built-in Wi-Fi or Ethernet connectivity and requires only a high-speed Internet connection and a power outlet — no need to plug it into your computer or install any software. The videos are stored remotely on our servers at Alarm.com, which means that you’ll be able to view both live and recorded clips anytime on the web — or even on your cell phone or smartphone.

You can even move the camera around your home to meet different needs. Maybe you would like it to watch the back door or then again you might want to look in on one of the children’s rooms. You be the judge.

* Note: Functionality varies depending on your Alarm.com service plan.

About Burns & McBride

Burns & McBride Home Comfort was founded in 1949 and is committed to providing dependable home comfort and safety services to homeowners throughout the Delaware alley. In addition to home security sales through its unique Smart, Safe Home system, it also provides homeowners with HVAC services, heating oil delivery and waste and recycling services. For more information on Burns & McBride please call us at 302-656-5110 or visit our website at www.burnsandmcbride.com

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May 19, 2012 · 8:55 pm

2GIG Appears on Designing Spaces


As you know from this blog, we at Burns & McBride use 2GIG equipment to provide you state of the art, affordable home automation.

Obviously we aren’t the only company in the country using 2GIG.  One of our associates in the industry is Vivint from Utah. Recently there was a story on an episode of Designing Spaces where they explained the benefits of home automation and of 2GIG equipment

We liked it so much, that we thought we should share it with you since it does a great job of showing you how 2GIG can help you. Click on the logo to see the video.

Designing Spaces

As you can imagine, 2GG, like all manufacturers, is happy to put the name of different contractors on their equipment. 2GIG makes the equipment which is featured in this story.

We realize that its a little unusual to point you to an article featuring a competitor. This story does a good job of explaining just what the 2GIG system can do for you. At the end of the day, we want you to compare us with Vivint and with other contractors. We think the Burns & McBride Smart, Safe Home system offers some unique benefits from all other competitors, including Vivint. We’ll be happy to show them to you. At the end of the day – y0u’ll be the judge.

 

About Burns & McBride

Burns & McBride Home Comfort was founded in 1949 and is committed to providing dependable home comfort and safety services to homeowners throughout the Delaware alley. In addition to home security sales through its unique Smart, Safe Home system, it also provides homeowners with HVAC services, heating oil delivery and waste and recycling services. For more information on Burns & McBride please call us at 302-656-5110 or visit our website at www.burnsandmcbride.com

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Filed under Energy Management, Home Safety, Home Security, Home Security 101, How Things Work, Uncategorized

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