Ting: Smart Fire Prevention for Your Home
Ting is a smart home device designed to detect and prevent electrical fires before they start. Unlike smoke detectors that alert you to a fire that’s already burning, Ting monitors your home’s electrical system for anomalies that can lead to fires, providing an early warning system.
How Ting Works
This small device, developed by Whisker Labs, plugs into a standard AC outlet and continuously measures voltage, taking an astounding 30 million measurements per second. It analyzes these measurements, searching for the telltale signs of electrical arcing, a dangerous electrical discharge between conductors. It’s crucial to plug Ting directly into a standard outlet, avoiding smart plugs, surge protectors, or uninterruptible power supplies for accurate monitoring.
To understand the concept of arcing, imagine lightning. The electricity in a cloud travels, or arcs, to the ground or another cloud. Similarly, in your home, arcing can be caused by various factors such as overloaded circuits, damaged wiring, or faulty electrical components like outlets, switches, or even the circuit breaker panel. Water exposure from leaky pipes, windows, or roofs can also trigger arcing.
Ting goes beyond simply detecting arcing. It can pinpoint the source of the electrical issue, identifying specific light switches, outlets, or plugged-in devices causing the problem.
If Ting detects problematic arcing, a member of the Ting fire-prevention team will contact you. They will guide you through the process of isolating the hazard by instructing you to turn off circuits at your breaker panel one by one. Once the problematic circuit is identified, Whisker Labs will arrange for a licensed electrician to assess and fix the issue. Ting subscriptions include a $1,000 labor credit towards these necessary repairs.
Setting Up Ting
The initial setup involves pairing Ting with its app via Bluetooth. After that, you connect the device to your home’s 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.
The Ting App and Notifications
Once connected, the Ting app becomes your central hub for monitoring your home’s electrical health. It displays real-time voltage readings and sends push notifications to your smartphone whenever it detects a potential problem.
The app also monitors the electricity coming into your home from your local utility. It tracks voltage fluctuations, noting peaks and valleys, and alerting you to service outages and restoration.
Ting’s LED Indicator
The Ting device features an LED indicator that communicates its operational status. A solid green light signifies normal operation. Dark blue indicates Bluetooth-pairing mode, blinking yellow means the device is acquiring an IP address, and solid yellow signals that it’s checking for internet connectivity. A blinking green LED means the sensor is connecting to a Ting server. If you cancel the Ting service, the LED will turn solid red.
Interestingly, the LED doesn’t change color to warn of an electrical problem, and the device lacks a speaker to sound an audible alarm. All alerts are delivered through the smartphone app.
Real-World Experience
Ting is a preventative measure that proves its worth by preventing a disaster. Like a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, it provides peace of mind. Some users report having Ting installed for nearly a year without any electrical issues, with the only notifications being related to utility outages.
In addition to real-time alerts, Ting also sends weekly voltage reports via email. Utility voltage should ideally be around 120 volts, but it can safely fluctuate between 108 and 132 volts without damaging appliances.
Cost and Subscription
A single Ting device typically costs $99, which includes the first year of subscription. Annual renewals are priced at $49 per device.
Most homes only require one Ting. However, if your home has multiple electrical service panels, such as in an outbuilding or a room addition with its own panel, you’ll need a separate Ting for each panel, along with its own subscription.
Insurance Partnerships
Before purchasing a Ting, it’s worth checking with your homeowners’ insurance provider. Some companies, including State Farm and Nationwide, offer the device and service as part of their coverage. A list of participating insurance companies can be found on Ting’s website.
Conclusion
Ting offers peace of mind by providing an early warning system for potential electrical fires. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense if you never experience an electrical problem, the potential to prevent a devastating fire makes it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners. Its ability to detect and identify the source of electrical arcing, combined with the included electrician labor credit, makes Ting a comprehensive solution for safeguarding your home from electrical hazards. The real-time monitoring, voltage reports, and notifications provide constant awareness of your home’s electrical health, allowing you to address potential issues before they escalate into a dangerous situation.
