Roost released its first device a year ago, which is a battery that can transform smoke alarms into smart ones. The startup then followed that up last month with two smart smoke alarms of its own, both of which feature Universal Smoke Sensing Technology that allows them to detect fire up to 87 percent faster compared with other alarms.
From smoke and fire, the company is now shifting its focus to water and ice with the new Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector.
The device, which the startup announced through its blog, is very simple to install, but it also has the potential of saving homeowners from repair work that could easily reach thousands of dollars.
Water damage, due to issues such as pipe failures, leaking toilets and broken water heaters, is the type of property loss claim that is most commonly filed by homeowners with insurance companies. Over the period of 2009 and 2015, the Travelers Indemnity Company revealed that water damage is an even more common property loss than fire or theft.
The Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector will allow users to receive notifications through companion iOS or Android apps if there is a water leak in the house or when the temperature of the basement near pipes reach 36 degrees Fahrenheit, which is before they freeze or burst.
The device is powered by sensors that are able to detect four major emergencies and notify homeowners about them. The four emergencies, as listed by Roost, are water damage caused by leaks, water damage due to frozen pipes, mold and mildew damage due to high humidity and inefficient energy use caused by abnormal temperature inside the home, due to issues with cooling and heating systems, power supplies or gaps in seals to windows and other openings.
Homeowners can connect the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector to pipes, rooms with high humidity, and other areas of the house where water or freeze damage could happen.
The alarm is powered by AAA batteries, so the device is not needed to be located in an area with access to a power outlet. Roost claims that it would last for over three years on a single batch of such batteries, which would make the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector also a good choice for rarely visited locations such as vacation homes.
Roost will begin shipping the device in the fall with a price tag of $49.99. The startup will release more details regarding the Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector over the coming months, with interested customers being offered to sign up for product updates to keep in touch with the device's progress.
