TORONTO — Ecobee, based here, is expanding its home security offering with a $10-per-month professional monitoring plan after striking a partnership with RapidSOS.
Ecobee customers based in the U.S. can now enable a beta version of professional monitoring via the ecobee app. Ecobee will continue to add new features and functionality to the professional monitoring experience in the coming months, according to an announcement.
Ecobee’s new Smart Security service will utilize the company’s HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat with voice control, SmartSensors for rooms and doors/windows, and — optionally — its SmartCamera with voice control.
Previously known as Haven, which included only self-monitoring at $5 for Cloud storage for a single ecobee camera, or $10 per month for an unlimited number of ecobee cameras, the new Complete Smart Security service will connect directly to local 911 agencies via the third-party service provider RapidSOS to dispatch the appropriate responders for break-ins and fires. By routing data directly to 911 screens, RapidSOS can reduce emergency response time by “minutes,” Ecobee says.
Customers who already have an ecobee smart thermostat can upgrade to a professional monitoring system by adding ecobee’s SmartSensors for doors and windows to protect entryways, starting at $79.99. For an additional layer of security, ecobee offers the SmartCamera with voice control for $99.99, which supports smoke alarm detection and an optional video verification feature, enabling monitoring centers to view footage during alarm events and accelerate dispatch.
“Ecobee Smart Security is a powerful combination of hardware and software designed to protect homes and families in an easy and affordable way,” says Stuart Lombard, founder and CEO of ecobee. “Millions of families already trust ecobee to deliver energy savings and comfort in their homes. Now, with ecobee Smart Security and professional monitoring, powered by RapidSOS, we’re able to further transform ecobee products into powerful security solutions capable of transmitting critical data directly to local 911 agencies in an emergency to dispatch local emergency services.”
