LAST UPDATED: July 17, 2024
Most snowbirds leave their homes in Canada empty for several months while they are away for the winter. The same is true in reverse for snowbirds who own a vacation property in their winter destination that stays empty for a good part of the year while they are back in Canada.
Regardless of your situation, leaving your property unoccupied for an extended period of time poses a number of potential risks, including damage, break-ins and theft. It can also lead to unnecessarily high energy bills for heating and air conditioning.
While having a friend, neighbour, family member or home watch service keep an eye on your place while you aren’t there is helpful, it often isn’t enough to adequately protect your home.
Accordingly, many snowbirds are turning to electronic home monitoring and security systems to help monitor and manage their homes remotely around the clock, even from thousands of kilometres away.
Having your home professionally monitored may also save you money on your home insurance.
However, choosing the right home monitoring options can be complicated and confusing. To help you out, we’ve created the following guide to home monitoring for snowbirds.
Monitoring your home in Canada while you’re away for the winter - and your snowbird vacation property when you’re back in Canada
Home monitoring services include a wide variety of devices and feature options.
Choosing the right mix of services and feature options to meet your specific needs depends on a variety of factors, including the size and type of property you have (house vs. condo/apartment) as well as your budget and travel habits.
Here are some of the common home monitoring features and options available for snowbirds to choose from. In most cases, you will have an app on your phone that allows you to manage these services and receive alerts, regardless of where you are:
Alarm systems: An installed alarm system that is professionally monitored is a basic safety tool that alerts you and your monitoring company whenever someone tries to enter the premises. If the alarm code isn’t entered in time, your monitoring company will contact you to see if everything is ok and dispatch someone to check on your place if required.
- Video monitoring: Doorbell video cameras, as well as stand-alone front and rear cameras, allow you to see who’s coming and going around your property from your mobile phone and is an ideal enhancement to an alarm system, as they help act as an additional deterrent to intruders.
- Smoke and CO detectors: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are essential in any home. It’s also ideal to have your smoke detector professionally monitored so they can alert the fire department on your behalf in the event of a possible fire emergency.
- Thermostats: Thermostats that can be monitored and controlled remotely are ideal, as they allow you to adjust the temperature and humidity from anywhere depending on the weather, which can lead to significant energy cost savings while your home is empty.
- Flood detectors: While not applicable to everyone, flood detectors can be an essential tool if your pipes burst in the winter or your property is prone to flooding and you’re out of town. Detecting a water leak early can significantly reduce the damage, stress, headaches and costs associated with water damage.
- Smart door locks: Smart locks provide for keyless entry with a security code and allow you to remotely lock and unlock your door from your smartphone when you’re not at home. They also allow you to control and monitor who’s coming and going through your door by providing unique keyless entry codes to family, friends and service providers who may need to enter your home while you’re away without giving them your main security code.
- Smart Lighting – Smart lighting allows you to put your lights on timers so they go off and on at pre-determined times to make your house look lived in while you’re not there, which is a helpful deterrent against burglars and intruders.
Professionally monitored vs. self-monitored services
Most of the home monitoring services outlined above can be self-monitored from an app on your phone, but you also have the option to have some services – such as your alarm system and smoke detectors - professionally monitored by a security company.
Professional monitoring for these services can be surprisingly affordable and offers some notable advantages over self-monitoring, including:
Alerting fire, police or security services: If your smoke detector or alarm system is triggered, your security company will check in with you to see if everything is ok. If they are unable to reach you or if you require assistance, they will contact emergency services (fire, police, ambulance) as required on your behalf to be dispatched to your home.
- Home insurance savings: Some insurance companies offer discounts on your home insurance if your home monitoring services are professionally monitored.
Discounts can range from 5% to 20%, depending on which services you have professionally monitored. Check with your insurance company to see which services are eligible for a discount, how much the discount is and what the criteria are to be eligible for a discount.
Which home monitoring services do you need?
With so many different home monitoring devices and services available, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. The devices and services you need will depend on multiple factors including the type of home you have and your location.
Your best bet is to contact a home monitoring service provider and explain your home situation to them, as they have expertise in this area and can guide you on the services you may or may not need based on your specific circumstances.
Where should I get my home monitoring services?
Many companies provide home monitoring services, ranging from large, national companies to smaller, local companies.
The right choice for you will ultimately depend on the services they have available, price and your comfort level with the provider. However, here are a few tips when choosing a home monitoring service provider
Shop around: It’s a good idea to shop around before choosing a home monitoring service provider, as it will allow you to compare products, services and pricing, as well as get a feel for the quality of customer service they provide.
- Reputation/Track Record: Check the reputation and track record of the service providers you are considering to see what others who have used them are saying. Online reviews from reputable sources and friends and family are a good place to start.
Snowbird Advisor Members Get Preferred Pricing on Home Monitoring from TELUS
Snowbird Advisor has also partnered with TELUS Home Monitoring Services to offer members-only preferred pricing to Snowbird Advisor members across Canada. Learn More...
Complement home monitoring services with regular in-person inspections
While home monitoring services are a great way to manage and keep an eye on your property when you’re not there, it’s also important to have someone drop by to check in on your home regularly while you are away – whether that is a family member, friend, neighbour, cleaning/maintenance person or home watch service.
