Florida Trip House Monitor

I spent years worrying about leaving our yacht "Spellbound" unattended at anchor in the islands when I went on trips. Is the anchor holding, is there a leak, are the bulge pumps keeping her dry, etc... Used to drive me nuts. 

Now with a house I am back to the same old worries. I can't help it - I am a Captain. These thoughts continuously run through my mind. And you want your Captain to be thinking of these things all the time as you jet your way across the sky (how's the weather holding up, fuel is looking OK, what was that noise, hmm... hydraulic pressure just had a bump...). But it kind of drives me nuts sometimes. In fact, it drives everyone around me nuts.

We were scheduled to fly to Florida for a week of business, family, and friends - in January. Oh No the house is going to freeze, pipes bursting, damage, costs... OMG my Captain / homeowner brain went into overtime! What to do! Damn the forecast is for freezing weather the entire time we are gone (in fact for 3 weeks of below freezing). I was bouncing off the walls. Time to find a solution on a budget.

I finally got the OK from Rose to get a camera. The conversation was sort of - Rose to me "Do what you have to do you. You are driving me NUTS"! 

My main worry was that the pipes would freeze if the heating system failed. If I saw the temperature falling  I would call our home warranty company and get them to get in there to fix the issue. At least that was my plan.  

So with a little research I came up with the Logitech Circle camera as a possible answer. Hmm... I could put the big outside thermometer from outside in the kitchen so I can see if the heating system is working or not. The rooster thermometer is large enough to read from the camera. Ha! I have the answer! I can monitor the camera 24/7 anytime I want to from my phone or tablet. I felt better already.  Not a full surveillance system, but for $199 USA not a bad solution. It does depend on the Internet, which is not the best, but hey it is cheap, and no monthly service charges.

The camera also records for 24 hours, has motion detection, night view, and I can talk to someone in my house like "Get the ^&%&*& out of my house I can calling the cops". It did work... I was notified when my brothers checked on the house, got a notification on my phone, pulled up the camera, saw it was them and could chat with the - all from 3,200 miles away in Florida.

 

Next use for the camera, when not being used while we are out of town during freezing weather. Is to set it up to survey the front door and driveway. (Why are cars parked in driveways and drive on parkways?) Anyway, that way while we are in the house, or out we can see who is coming up to the house and/or we'll have a recording if any one anyone is causing trouble. We will also get notified and be able to chat with them. Cool.