News Posts

Update February 2024: We Won! For now, at least. LOL. It has been confirmed by Resideo and now a customer, that the weather is now working. This is on the older style Tuxedo Touch WIFI keypads. We have been fighting this fight to keep the weather going on these keypads. It took a while for Resideo to resolve this, and we appreciate everyone's input and patience. So go and enjoy it while you can.

Update November 2023: After daylight savings time ended on 11/5/2023, we received multiple reports of the weather no longer updating. We have reported this to Resideo and they are looking into the issue. We will continue to provide the most accurate up to date information we have. We appreciate your patience in this matter.

Update Christmas 2022: It appears the weather stopped updating on Tuxedo keypads once again around Christmas, 2022. However, it appears that as of January 3, 2023, it is back up and working again. This feature has been hit or miss for a while now, and officially, it's not supposed to be working on the legacy Tux keypads. The last official word from Resideo was in September, 2021, where they said the older style Tux keypads would no longer support weather and only the newer Tuxedo keypads would. You can read that notice here.

Newer style Tuxedo Keypad:

Older Style Tuxedo Touch WIFI:

Update April 2022: Per Resideo, though this feature seems to be working again, it is not officially fixed until we receive a new Technical Bulletin from them saying that it is. For now, if your keypad is not displaying the weather, refresh the weather on the forecast page. Do this by pressing the refresh button in the lower-left corner of the forecast screen.

Update December 2021: In late December, Resideo announced that the weather display feature had been fixed and is now available on Tuxedo Touch WIFI, VAM, and original Tuxedo Touch keypads. Hopefully, this will be the end of the Weather Feature Saga, once and for all!

There is an issue affecting all versions of the Honeywell and Resideo Tuxedo Keypads and VISTA Automation Modules (VAMs). This is a server issue causing the displayed weather forecast to not update. Resideo has not provided an ETA for a fix. Alarm Grid will update when more info is made available.

Update: Alarm Grid has learned that the issue is only affecting old style Tuxedo Touch Keypads, including the Tuxedo Touch WIFI and the original Tuxedo Touch with ethernet connectivity, as well as Honeywell VAM devices when accessed through a web browser. The issue is NOT affecting newer Honeywell Home Tuxedo and Resideo Tuxedo Keypads, as was initially reported. Keep in mind that these new-style Tuxedo Keypads may only update weather once per day, so the displayed last update time might still seem off. But if you click the refresh button in the bottom-left corner of the weather display screen, then it will still update. As the issue is relatively minor and only affecting old style devices, it's possible that Resideo may put off applying a fix for a while. Again, we promise to provide an update if any new information is made available. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the issue.

Qolsys has released the long-awaited Firmware Version 2.6.0. This will be the base version for the Qolsys IQ Hub and will allow users to configure the new IQ WIFI Mesh Router from the touchscreen of the IQ Panel 2. These are only a couple of the new features. This is truly an exciting update!

We've been talking about the Qolsys IQ Hub, well, forever, it seems. But honestly, it's been "coming soon" for over a year now. We are so glad that the wait is almost over. The Qolsys IQ Hub will truly be a DIY dream. Qolsys has taken a "see no green" approach to this panel, meaning there is no reason to open the panel fully, so you should never see the green printed circuit board (PCB). It won't even have screw terminals! The battery will be easily end-user replaceable with a minimum of "deconstruction" to the alarm panel itself. Some of the best features of the IQ Panel 2/2+ will be available in this new panel, such as Bluetooth disarming, and Alarm.com Camera Streaming at the panel.

A couple of things have been removed though. It will not have a built-in camera, nor will it offer 2-way voice capability. The IQ Hub is meant to be a slightly less expensive alternative to the IQ Panel 2 or 2 Plus, and to the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 that we should be seeing later this year. Initially, the IQ Hub will support PowerG Wireless Sensors, but later, there will be 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, and 433 MHz options available. Each IQ Hub is intended to support only one (1) RF frequency.

You might be saying, "I thought this was a blog about Firmware Version 2.6.0?" Well, it is. But the fact that we have Firmware Version 2.6.0 available now means that the full release of the Qolsys IQ Hub won't be far behind. The Qolsys IQ Hub is scheduled for a Q2 2021 release. Aside from all the new features and improvements for the IQ Panel 2 Plus itself, another exciting capability that is added in this firmware release is the ability to control and configure the new Qolsys IQ Router through the IQ Panel 2 or 2 Plus Touchscreen.

The Qolsys IQ Router is also slated for release in Q2 of 2021. This is a mesh router system that will support up to eight (8) nodes, and both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. What's great about this product is that it allows a user to create a WIFI subnet inside their regular network. Any devices that use WIFI can be attached to the network, not just security devices, and multiple nodes (up to 8) can be added to strengthen the mesh network. If you change internet providers or even just internet equipment, you simply unplug the IQ Router from the existing router, plug it into the new router, and all of the WIFI devices will remain connected to the WIFI sub-network without having to reconfigure any of them. These are two upcoming products associated with the release of Firmware Version 2.6.0 that we're really looking forward to.

Below you'll find some of the additional new features supported on Firmware Version 2.6.0:

New Features:

• Support for DSC hardwire keypads (HS2LCD, HS2ICN) via the CORBUS on the PowerG Hardwire to Wireless Translator (PG9WLSHW8) with Firmware V 1.1. Also added new PGM system triggers for Police, Fire, Aux & CO emergency.
• Support for DSC NEO Wire-Free Keypads HS2LCDWFx, HS2LCDWFxENG.
• Support for new V4 PowerG Daughter Card.
• Panel now supports remote Z-Wave Smart Start integration from Alarm.com.
• This update includes the critical firmware2 fix that resolves an issue where certain panels would automatically reboot with previous firmware applied.

Fixes & Improvements

• Added a setting to allow the panel to send 1 or 10 images taken by PowerG Image Sensor Cameras (PG9934P, PG9944, NEXT CAM, PG2, NEXT CAM K9-85 PG2, BW-IRC, BW-IPC, TOWER CAM PG2, BW-ODC) during an alarm event to Alarm.com. Previously, ten (10) images were stored locally at the panel, but only the first image was sent to Alarm.com.
• Added a setting allowing alarm dealers to select a specific time for Communication Tests to be sent to the monitoring station. If no selection is made, the time will be randomized.
• Added a setting for detection direction on PG9902 Outdoor Curtain PIR. Users can choose left to right, right to left, or both.
• Added the ability to disable PowerG activation LED on devices that have one in order to conserve battery.
• Added Partition support for EN Grade 2 Panels.
• Improved 700-Series Z-Wave performance on UK & EU Panels.
• Bluetooth Disarm now available for UK & EU Panels.
• Added language support for Spanish (Spain), French (France), Finnish, and Polish.
• Added support for European date format: DD.MM.YYYY.
• Improved cellular strength matching between Panel and Alarm.com for Latin America.
• Silent and Audible Panics now report separate CID codes to central station.
• Duress Alarm and Silent Police Panic can now be dismissed from Alarm.com.
• Improvements to PowerG Wireless keypad functionality (WS9LCDWFx).
• Keyfob arming now follows the Auto-Bypass setting on the panel.
• Duress codes from KP-140 & KP-141 now transmit to Alarm.com.
• Corrected an issue where a PG9905 Temperature Sensor would send double alarms for the same event.
• Fixed an issue related to virtual device integration on the panel, which includes Liftmaster Garage Door control from the panel UI, and Solar Integration from Alarm.com. See TSB 201026 for additional details.

Into each life, a little rain must fall. It's not all good news, although, this is more of an inconvenience than actual bad news. Because Firmware Version 2.6.0 also contains the important firmware2 fix, it must be downloaded and installed from the Qolsys Server. The server has some logic built-in that allows it to tell if the panel being updated requires the firmware2 fix, or not. For this reason, much like Firmware version 2.5.5, Qolsys is not making this firmware file available for download. This means that Alarm Grid can't host it on our site.

What this means for the end-user is that in order to get 2.6.0, your panel must have a WIFI connection. Once it does, you have two ways in which you can get the firmware. You can request it from your alarm dealer, and they can push the update to your panel from Alarm.com. This will be a free update. As long as your panel has WIFI 24/7, this is a simple and no-fuss way to get your panel updated. Just remember, if for some reason your panel loses WIFI, the update won't go through. Alarm.com will not allow the panel to be updated via a cellular-only connection. You can also follow the instructions below to request the update via Patch Tag.

If your panel happens to be in an area where there is no WIFI, maybe it's a hunting or fishing cabin, or a second home where WIFI is not readily available, then you may be able to use your cell phone as a mobile hotspot and fool the panel into thinking it's connected to WIFI. The amount of data in this file is about 250 MB according to Qolsys. Alternatively, you may be able to move the panel to a spot that has WIFI available just long enough to perform the upgrade. In a situation like this, you need to be in control of when the update begins, so in this case, you would want to use the "Patch Tag" method of updating. To do so, once your panel has a WIFI connection, do the following:

Follow these instructions after making sure your panel is on version 2.0.1 or higher. If the panel is on 2.5.0 or 2.5.1, the user must first update to 2.5.3 before running the update for 2.6.0:

• Touch the small gray bar in the center at the top of the Home screen on the panel.
• Touch “Settings”
• Touch “Advanced Settings”
• Enter a valid Installer or Dealer Code (defaults are 1111 and 2222 respectively)
• Touch “Upgrade Software”.
• Touch “Patch Tag” and enter: iqpanel2.6.0 then touch “OK”.
• Important: If you need to install 2.5.3 prior to this update, the Patch Tag for that version is: iqpanel2.5.3. Run that update before running the Patch Tag for 2.6.0.
• Touch “Upgrade Using Network”. If the panel is connected to WIFI, the system will begin downloading the update, it will be installed when the download completes. Once the update begins Do Not Touch The Screen! The update will take about five (5) minutes, and the panel will reboot as a part of the process. When the panel returns to the home screen and the Green LED at the right lights, the process has completed.

What do you think about the new Qolsys firmware, and the new products they have in the pipeline? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Is there a security topic you'd like to see us discuss? If so, leave a comment and we'll be happy to cover any security-related topics of interest. As always, we look forward to hearing from you!

Alarm Grid sends big congratulations to Rapid Response Monitoring Services! The central monitoring station has won the 2021 Excellence Awards for Manager of the Year (Johnathan Rainbow) and Support Person of the Year (Michelle Quattrini). Nice job Rapid Response, and keep up the good work!

The Excellence Awards are hosted by The Monitoring Association (TMA). These awards recognize and honor the very best central monitoring stations and the dedicated personnel who keep them operating. A well-run central station is a vital part of alarm monitoring service, and we're super proud of Rapid Response for walking away with two (2) huge awards!

Jonathan Rainbow of Rapid Response was named as the sole 2021 Manager of the Year, while Michelle Quattrini of Rapid Response tied for 2021 Support Person of the Year. Both individuals have been recognized for their significant contributions to the alarm monitoring industry and their distinct level of professionalism. Alarm Grid congratulates both of these individuals, and we hope they continue their work into the following year and beyond.

All Alarm Grid customers who receive central station service in Canada are covered by Rapid Response Monitoring Services. Our primary central station partner for monitored customers in the United States, Criticom Monitoring Services, has many of the same certifications as Rapid Response. Both Criticom and Rapid Response are certified as being UL Listed and FM Approved. Whether you are covered by Criticom or Rapid Response, you have a dedicated team of committed operators on your side, and they are ready to step in whenever an alarm occurs on your monitored security system.

Again, we send our heartfelt congratulations to Johnathan Rainbow, Michelle Quattrini, and everyone else at Rapid Response Monitoring Services for their success! We expect to see both Rapid Response and Criticom Monitoring Services receive awards and accolades in the future. Please share any thoughts you have about our central station partners in a comment down below. And of course, stay turned to our blog for more alarm system news coming real soon!

If you have one or more Alarm.com Cameras set up for onboard recording using an installed SD card, then there is a new Alarm.com webpage you may want to check out when accessing ADC from a web browser. The new SD Card Information Page will show details about the SD card inside your camera.

For those unfamiliar with Alarm.com Onboard Recording, it basically allows a compatible Alarm.com Security Camera to store its captured video footage to a Micro SD card that is on-board the camera device. You can then access the footage remotely from the Alarm.com website or mobile app. The feature really became popular after the Alarm.com ADC-SVR122 Streaming Video Recorder was discontinued. At this time, the cameras that support the feature include the ADC-V515, the ADC-V523, and the ADC-V723.

The new SD Card Information Page can be very useful for anyone using the Alarm.com Onboard Recording feature. The page shows all of the critical details for the SD card that is installed inside one of the compatible Alarm.com Cameras. This may include how much storage space is available for footage. You can also use the page to reformat an SD card, which you might need to do if the SD card was previously used inside a different device.

You can only access the SD Card Information Page if you have the Onboard Recording Feature enabled for your Alarm.com account and you have at least one compatible camera set up to use the feature, with a Micro SD card installed. Also note that you can only access the page from the Alarm.com website. It is not found within the Alarm.com Mobile App. To access the page, login to the Alarm.com website, and choose Video, followed by Settings, and then SD Card Information.

Have you tried out the Alarm.com Onboard Recording Feature yet? If you have, please leave a comment down below to let us know what you think of the feature. Also, do you think the SD Card Information Page will come in handy? Let us know in a comment down below. We will be back with more security system news soon, so keep checking the Alarm Grid Blog!

There is going to be scheduled maintenance occurring on Alarm.com tonight, specifically focusing on the Verizon infrastructure. The maintenance period will run from 12:00 am Midnight to 2:00 am Eastern Time. According to Alarm.com, no impact is expected with regard to monitoring service.

The purpose of the scheduled maintenance is to enhance platform stability and improve redundancy moving forward. We have heard reports that a small number of Alarm.com Verizon LTE Communicators have been experiencing some relatively minor technical issues. Alarm.com has been aware of these issues since at least last Saturday, and they have been actively working to troubleshoot affected units to prevent any disruptions in service. The scheduled maintenance tonight should fix these issues and help to ensure that all Alarm.com Verizon Communicators function as intended, with exceptional reliability.

During the scheduled maintenance period tonight, Alarm.com says that service outages are unlikely to occur. You should not experience any problems if your security system uses a Verizon Communicator for connecting with Alarm.com. However, Alarm.com is not ruling out the possibility, and they want to keep users informed, just in case. Remember that if you have an IP (WIFI or Ethernet) communication path set up, then that can serve as a valuable backup option tonight during the maintenance period. If your system is cellular only with Verizon connectivity, then just be careful if you need to arm your system tonight between 12:00 am Midnight and 2 am Eastern Time. Again, no issues should occur, but Alarm.com is performing due diligence by making the maintenance period known in advance.

Once again, all maintenance taking place is on the Verizon infrastructure for Alarm.com. Your monitoring service will not be affected in any way if your system uses a different carrier, such as AT&T, for connecting with Alarm.com, or if your system is set up with a different network, such as AlarmNet for Total Connect 2.0, or Telguard for HomeControl Flex. If your system does use Verizon connectivity for communicating with Alarm.com, then check and make sure your WIFI or Ethernet path is working as an important backup plan for tonight. If you have been using your system with cell-only on Verizon with ADC, but you have the option to add WIFI or Ethernet, now may be a good time to do so. Your system should still be fine, but, it never hurts to use redundancy when it is available. Stay tuned to our blog for more security system news and updates coming soon.

Note: If you are reading this after 2:00am on April 14th, or on any future date, then it is assumed that the scheduled maintenance has been concluded, and all Alarm.com Verizon Service should be operating as intended, now with improved infrastructure.

We're glad to say that Total Connect 2.0 has received a new update for its mobile app on Android and iOS. The new update is Version 6.7.1, and it is a worthwhile upgrade for all who use the TC2 Mobile App. You can download it right now from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

The biggest inclusion with Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App Version 6.7.1 is a bug fix that lets users pair up to (14) Total Connect IP Cameras with the platform, as Resideo had originally intended. This includes support for up to eight (8) HD Cameras and up to six (6) Legacy Cameras. Although TC2 users have long been promised the ability to use this number of IP cameras with the service, there was previously a bug that prevented users from pairing the full roster of eight (8) HD Cameras. TC2 Mobile App Version 6.7.1 has fixed this issue, and now users should have no issue setting up the maximum number of cameras for a single TC2 account. This news comes not long after we learned that Resideo discontinued their only existing outdoor camera, the Honeywell IPCAM-WOC1. We have not received any official word on the development of a new Resideo Outdoor Camera, but we have heard some rumblings that a new model may hit the market before the end of the year. Of course, we'll pass on any new discussions and/or rumors that we hear to you in the Alarm Grid Blog.

There isn't really much else in terms of new features that come with Total Connect 2.0 Android Version 6.7.1 and Total Connect 2.0 iOS Version 6.7.1. We know that not every Alarm Grid customer with access to Total Connect 2.0 has support for cameras, so this may not exactly be the most exciting update we have seen for TC2. The only Alarm Grid customers who can use Total Connect 2.0 Cameras are those with a Platinum Level Plan or a Video-Only Plan. If you don't fall into one of those categories, then it may be easy to shrug off this update. But still, Resideo also mentions that the Version 6.7.1 Update includes minor user interface (UI) enhancements, as well as improvements in security and stability, not to mention some general bug fixes. This makes the update recommended for all TC2 users who access the platform through the mobile app, including those who don't use cameras.

To download the update for free, check the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, depending on whether you are an Android or iOS user. Those locations are also where you can download the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App for free, in case you have been restricting yourself to only using the website. Again, all TC2 users are advised to download the update at their earliest convenience. The improvements in UI, security, and stability make it a worthwhile update for all. If you are an Alarm Grid customer needing help installing the update, or if you are interested in starting a new monitoring subscrition for access to Total Connect 2.0 and Mobile App Version 6.7.1, then please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. And also, why not leave a comment down below sharing your thoughts on the new Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App Update? We would love to hear what you have to say. Remember to keep reading the Alarm Grid Blog for more security system news coming soon!

Nortek Control, the parent company of 2GIG, has received multiple honors from CE Pro and their Quest for Quality Awards. The company has already received awards for its new 2GIG Edge Security System, and that trend looks to be continuing. Congratulations are in order for Nortek and 2GIG!

The Quest for Quality Awards from CE Pro is in its 11th annual edition. The awards recognize services from companies, rather than specific products. Winners are determined from an open-ended survey, in which respondents vote for the companies they believe are most deserving. This year, a record-breaking number of more than 14,550 votes, covering 17 different manufacturer categories and eight (8) different distributor categories, were received by CE Pro. And needless to say, 2GIG was a very big winner.

In total, Nortek Control and 2GIG received five (5) Quest for Quality Awards from CE Pro. The awards were as follows:

• Platinum Award for Best Sales & Marketing Assistance
• Platinum Award for Best Dealer & Program Incentives
• Gold Award for Best COVID-19 Response
• Gold Award for Best Dealer Protection Policies
• Silver Award for Best Technical Support

We have been covering 2GIG quite often in the Alarm Grid blog lately. Most notably, we have covered the release of the 2GIG Edge Alarm Panel, which only just hit the market last week. This is a state-of-the-art security system that includes a 7-inch touchscreen controller, support for up to 100 wireless zones, optional automatic Bluetooth disarming, live-streaming for compatible Alarm.com Security Cameras, four (4) individual Smart Area Partitions, and much more. Anyone with questions about the 2GIG Edge is encouraged to email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. Keep in mind when emailing us that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F.

Have you gotten to test drive the 2GIG Edge yet? Do you have any thoughts about 2GIG as a company? Feel free to leave a comment down below sharing your thoughts and/or experiences. We would love to hear what you have to say. Alarm Grid has very high expectations for the new 2GIG Edge System, and it's looking like it might become one of the highest profile alarm panels of the 2020s. We're certainly excited to see it take off, and we hope that you are as well. Remember to stay tuned to our blog for more security news, and we'll have some more great content headed your way very soon!

The State of Georgia House and Senate have both approved State House Bill 465. This bans cities, counties, and other municipalities from imposing fines against alarm monitoring providers for false alarms that aren't their fault. Governor Brian Kemp will likely sign the bill later this month.

If you have been following the ongoing saga in Georgia, then you are aware that false alarms have been a hot button issue in the state for the past few years. It started in 2017, when the city of Sandy Springs, GA revised its false alarm ordinance to impose fines against alarm monitoring companies for false alarms caused by end-users. The ordinance was unsuccessfully challenged in 2020, and other jurisdictions like Lawrenceville, GA sought to develop their own laws. But with this latest development, that will all soon come to an end.

Alarm industry professionals and experts have been working tirelessly to revise the policy in Sandy Springs so that false alarm fines are imposed against end-users as the responsible party. This is opposed to fining monitoring providers like Alarm Grid, who usually do everything in their power to train and empower end-users so that they operate their security systems responsibly, and prevent false alarms from occurring in the first place. The city of Sandy Springs, GA originally enacted its false alarm ordinance in 2012, with fines being imposed against end-users. It wasn't until 2017 when the ordinance was revised to levy fines against monitoring companies. This most recent decision by the Georgia General Assembly represents a major victory for alarm providers throughout the United States.

John Loud, the President and Founder of LOUD Security in Georgia and a Vice President of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) said of the decision, "The big celebration for us is, not only did we prevent the spread of Sandy Springs’ ordinance throughout Georgia but for all of us across the nation to realize the example of what Sandy Springs was trying to do."

Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) Executive Stan Martin added in a statement, "Ordinances similar to those adopted by Sandy Springs do little to change user behavior, deny the user the right to confront their accuser and access to due process, and fines an innocent party for the actions of another... There has never been any evidence that fining alarm companies was any more effective than the model alarm ordinance that is widely utilized nationally and endorsed by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police."

The law banning fines against monitoring companies for false alarms caused by end-users will take effect after Georgia Govern Brian Kemp signs Georgia State House Bill 465 into law. This will most likely occur later this month. Georgia will not become the first state to ban fines against alarm companies for false alarms caused by end-users. Already, the states of Tennessee and Iowa have passed similar laws to protect monitoring companies against fines for false alarms that are not their fault, and in most cases, have done everything within their power to prevent in the first place.

As a proud alarm monitoring service provider for thousands of end-users who receive central station coverage throughout the United States and Canada, preventing false alarms is always a top priority of ours at Alarm Grid. We work very hard to teach, train, and provide helpful resources for all of our monitored customers so that they can operate their alarm systems responsibly and prevent false alarms from occurring. False alarms represent a waste of resources for emergency responders everywhere, and we do whatever we can to limit their occurrences so that police forces and fire departments can operate as efficiently as possible. We strongly advise that all security system users with central station coverage, whether you receive monitoring service through Alarm Grid or through another company, review these important tips to prevent false alarms. It is our responsibility and duty as an alarm monitoring provider to pass this information to all our monitored customers. And it is your responsibility as security system users to do your part to prevent false alarms. Together, we can reduce the occurrence of false security system alarms and help improve the efficiency and performance of the dedicated first responders who we all depend upon.

If you are an Alarm Grid monitored customer with any questions about false alarm prevention and what you can do, or if you are curious about signing-up for an alarm monitoring plan with us, then please do not hesitate to email our team at support@alarmgrid.com. We will provide you with all the resources you need so that you not only receive the very best alarm monitoring service for your needs but also do not contribute to the serious problem of false system alarms. We're here to answer your emails from 9am to 8pm ET M-F, so please keep that in mind when you contact us. As always, we look forward to hearing from you!

There is a new firmware update coming for the Alarm.com ADC-V515 1080p Camera w/ HDR. The update will allow you to disable the microphone and two-way audio speaker for the camera. Any ADC-V515 that is online and set up with an active Alarm.com account will automatically receive the update.

Please be aware that Alarm.com has merely announced that the update is being pushed down in the near future, and they have not provided us with an exact date of when it will happen. Alarm.com does have somewhat of a history of announcing firmware updates a bit on the early side. Don't be completely surprised if the update doesn't happen sometime very soon. But we're hopeful that Alarm.com will push down the update sometime this week.

Again, no action is needed on your part to receive the update. As long as you have your ADC-V515 Camera online and set up with your active Alarm.com account, then the update will be automatically pushed down over-the-air (OTA) across the Alarm.com servers. Your ADC-V515 will be ready to receive the update thanks to its 2.4 GHz WIFI connection with your local network. Please note that no indication will be made at the camera while the update is being applied. The LED will just remain solid green to indicate a connection with the Alarm.com servers,

After the update has been applied, it will be easy for you to disable the audio functions for the ADC-V515 Camera from Alarm.com. Just log into the Alarm.com website on a compatible web browser, and then choose Video, followed by Settings. Then select the ADC-V515 Video Device, and then Device Info. There should be a toggle option for you to turn the camera's microphone and speaker ON or OFF. This is a convenient option if you no longer wish to use the audio functions and capabilities for the ADC-V515, or if you want to disable them temporarily.

Do you have any thoughts on the ADC-V515 or any other Alarm.com Cameras? Have you tried the audio functions, and do you think having the option to disable them will be useful? Share your thoughts down below in a comment, as we would love to hear your thoughts. Alarm Grid will be back soon with more security system news and updates!

We have learned that Alectra Utilities of Ontario, Canada is the latest partner of the Alarm.com Give Back, Get Back Demand Response Program. This is a great way for customers of Alectra Utilities to save money on their energy bills, especially through the upcoming summer season.

If you aren't familiar with the Alarm.com Give Back, Get Back Program, it serves as a way to mitigate electrical demands during peak use periods, while also providing financial incentives to customers. The service typically goes into effect on the hottest days of the year when virtually everyone is running their air conditioning units to at least some degree. Alectra Utilities is the latest of many ADC Give Back, Get Back partners, including Baltimore Gas & Electric, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and more.

Customers of Alectra Utilities who enroll in the program are giving Alectra consent to offset their smart thermostat during peak hours in an effort to reduce the strain on the power grid. Alectra may also intentionally lower the temperature first, before anticipated peak use periods, to more effectively sustain user comfort once the peak usage period is in effect and the setpoint temperature is increased.

In exchange for their participation, users are eligible for special incentives and savings from Alectra. Additionally, everyone who enrolls in the service will be automatically entered for a chance to win free electricity service for a year of up to $5,000. Most users of the Alarm.com Give Back, Get Back service have reported that they notice little to no changes when the program is in effect.

Participants are promised to receive advanced notice of any peak use periods in which their thermostat temperature may be offset. There are typically between six (6) and ten (10) of these temperature offset events per summer season. Please note that participants have the opportunity to opt-out of any single peak use period, or the entire program at any time. However, by opting-out, the participant will forfeit their right to any associated savings and/or incentives.

Any Alectra Utilities customer with Alarm.com service is eligible for the program. You just need to have at least (1) smart thermostat set up with your Alarm.com account. This doesn't necessarily have to be an Alarm.com Thermostat, but the Alarm.com ADC-T3000 Z-Wave Plus Thermostat is a great option if you are looking for a model to use with your Alarm.com service.

Have you had an experiences with the Alarm.com Give Back, Get Back Program? How does it compare with any other demand response programs you may have participated in? We would love to hear what you have to say. Leave a comment down below to share your thoughts. And please let us know if you would like to hear more about energy conservation and cost-saving programs in the future. We'll be back soon with more security and home automation news.