In brief: As part of our long-time partnership with Reliant, we will (very) occasionally share information about products and offerings from the company. Today, Eric writes about his experiences with a Smarter Home Bundle offered by Reliant and Vivint.
There are a lot of “smart” things available these days that I just don’t get. Like, for example, a “smart” toaster. Who needs an app to know when their bagel is toasted? Or a refrigerator with a giant screen on it to remind me to buy milk. No thank you. I used to have similar reservations about a “smart” home, but no longer. I’m now among the converted.
That’s because, earlier this summer, I had the “Smarter Home Bundle” installed at my house. What is that, you may ask? It’s essentially a new offer for Reliant electricity customers to make home energy management easier. It pairs a Vivint doorbell camera, smart thermostat, and professional installation together with your electricity plan. It’s completely free for qualifying new and current Reliant customers. You can also add on a lot of goodies like Vivint’s Smart Hub control panel, 24/7 professional security monitoring, additional external or indoor cameras, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, remote operation of garage doors, keyless entry, and more. The beauty of this is that it is all packaged within a single system, and a single app.
- At the office but want to see who delivered a package this morning? No problem, the video is there.
- Sitting in the bathtub but want to turn down the air conditioner. Easily done.
- Want to open the garage door so a neighbor can borrow a shovel? All good.
- Is it raining heavily and you need to see if flood waters are rising in the back yard? Sure. (But let’s hope I don’t ever have to do that.)
Speaking of the app, a unique feature about this bundle is the energy insights. Through the Vivint app, you can control your new smart thermostat and sync it with your Reliant electricity account to help you better manage your energy, see your projected costs and understand the drivers of your electricity use. Of course, here in Houston, that will be our air conditioners in the summer, but it’s useful to see your personalized usage and what else is using energy in your home.
The complimentary installation as part of the Smarter Home Bundle is a huge plus. The install process for me went smoothly, but if you plan on adding any tech beyond the doorbell camera and smart thermostat, I recommend letting Vivint know before someone comes out. That ensures that the technician has the necessary equipment on hand for your home.
What I like about the security system via the doorbell is that it all just works. It really is “smart.” And it’s very customizable, so if you want to play a deterrent sound when someone approaches the front door, you can. Or, if you opt to add a smart door lock like I did, you can have “deter” off and remotely unlock the door for a friend. The app is just really intuitive that way, and it is far better than any other home alarm system I’ve worked with.
I’ve had my system for a couple of months now and wanted to take my time to live with the equipment, the app, and the experience before providing a review for you. And honestly, it’s been great. If you’re looking for a smarter home that’s easier to operate, this is the way.
To sign up or learn more about the offer or products, you can visit Reliant.com/smarterhomebundle or speak with our friends at Reliant at 1-866-222-7100.
