Here’s a random tidbit that kinda blew my mind: some smart window sensors don’t just tell you if a window is open or closed—they can actually track how long it’s been open, and even send you a reminder if you forget to close it before bedtime. I found this out after setting up a few Aqara sensors and linking them with Alexa routines. Now, if my kitchen window is still open at 10pm, Alexa gets all judgy and says, “The kitchen window is still open. Would you like to close it?” It’s both helpful and slightly creepy.
I did run into a weird thing though—if the WiFi goes down, the sensors basically turn into little plastic bricks. Not sure if any of the Zigbee or Z-Wave ones are better about that? Also, my friend said his Google Home setup can announce when the windows are opened, but he had to do some hacky stuff with Home Assistant. I’m not that patient, honestly.
Another fun fact: apparently, in some places your insurance will give you a discount if you have window and door sensors that are connected to an alarm system. Didn’t work for me (my insurer just laughed), but maybe someone else has had luck?
Curious if anyone’s tried sensors that work outdoors for those old-school basement windows. Or if there’s a way to get them to ignore the cat constantly pawing at the screen... Anyone got clever setups or weird automations?
It’s wild how far these sensors have come, isn’t it? I’ve got a mix of Zigbee and old-school magnetic contacts, and honestly, Zigbee’s been more reliable for me during network hiccups since it doesn’t rely on WiFi directly—though you do need a hub, which is another thing to keep powered. For basement windows, I tried some weatherproofed Z-Wave sensors, but moisture was still an issue after a year or so. And cats... haven’t solved that one. Mine figured out how to trigger the alert and now treats it like a game.
I hear you on the cats—mine actually managed to dislodge a sensor once, which set off a string of false alarms until I figured out what was going on. I’ve been using Zigbee too, and while the hub is another thing to keep track of, I find it’s still less finicky than WiFi-based sensors in my old house with thick plaster walls. Moisture’s been a headache for me as well, especially on the north-facing windows; even the “weatherproof” options seem to struggle after a rough winter. It’s impressive tech, but sometimes I wonder if the low-tech magnetic contacts weren’t just simpler...
It’s impressive tech, but sometimes I wonder if the low-tech magnetic contacts weren’t just simpler...
That’s relatable. I’ve had a few Zigbee sensors give up on me after a particularly damp winter too, even though they were supposed to be “weatherproof.” Plaster walls in older homes really do a number on wireless signals; sometimes I feel like I’m chasing my own tail moving the hub around for better coverage.
About magnetic contacts—I get what you mean. There’s something satisfying about how straightforward they are. No batteries, no random drop-offs, just open or closed. But then again, the data from smart sensors is tempting when you’re trying to keep tabs on drafts or energy loss. Ever notice how some of these new sensors will ping you for a cracked window you purposely left for fresh air? Makes me wonder if we’re trading simplicity for more notifications than we really need.
Still, I keep coming back because the potential energy savings are hard to ignore. Maybe it’s about finding that balance between “set and forget” and “tinker every month.” Curious if anyone’s found a truly weatherproof sensor that actually lives up to the label...
About magnetic contacts—I get what you mean. There’s something satisfying about how straightforward they are.
That’s the tradeoff, isn’t it? The more “smart” features you add, the more you’re at the mercy of batteries, wireless quirks, and random outages. I’ve got a mix of the old-school magnetic contacts on my main doors (wired into my ancient alarm panel) and newer Zigbee sensors on the windows. Honestly, those wired contacts have survived three decades and still work after storms or power cuts. The Zigbee ones… not so much. Battery swaps every 6-8 months, sometimes they go offline for no reason, and like you said, “weatherproof” seems to mean “might survive a light drizzle.”
I tried some so-called outdoor sensors on my basement windows and, after a single winter, two out of four just gave up. Moisture gets in eventually, no matter what the box says. As for ignoring pets—tried using a combination of motion sensors and window sensors, but my cat still manages to trigger at least one notification per week. If there’s a foolproof way to filter out pets, I haven’t found it yet.
Still, I keep tinkering because catching that one drafty window open overnight paid for a few sensors in heating savings last year. It’s a hassle, but sometimes worth it.
I get the appeal of the old wired contacts—they’re basically indestructible, and as you said, storms or power cuts don’t faze them. But I’ve actually had a different experience with the wireless ones, at least indoors. Maybe it’s the brand or just luck, but my Zigbee sensors have been surprisingly reliable for two years now. Only had to swap batteries once so far. That said, outdoor use is a whole different story. I tried weatherproofing with silicone and extra seals, but moisture still found a way in last winter.
On the pet front, I’ve been experimenting with placement and sensor sensitivity settings to cut down on false alarms. It’s not perfect—my dog still sets them off sometimes—but it’s better than when I first set everything up. Maybe it just comes down to trial and error with each house...
- Wired contacts are the old workhorse—totally agree. I’ve seen some from the 90s still chugging along, even after a few window replacements. If it ain’t broke, right?
- Wireless sensors have come a long way, though. I used to be skeptical (battery changes, signal dropouts), but I’ve got a batch of those Zigbee types in my own place now. Honestly, they’re holding up better than I expected indoors. Only hiccup: one sensor near the kitchen window kept losing connection—turned out the microwave was messing with it. Go figure.
- Outdoor sensors... that’s where things get dicey. Even with all the waterproofing tricks—silicone, weatherstripping, you name it—moisture finds its way in eventually. Had one that basically turned into a tiny aquarium by February. Ended up switching back to a wired contact for that window and just running the cable through the frame. Not pretty, but at least it works year-round.
- Pets are a whole saga. I’ve seen folks try to aim sensors high or mask off parts of the detection zone, but my neighbor’s cat still manages to trigger his system every other week. Sensitivity settings help, but sometimes it’s just trial and error... or learning to live with the occasional “intruder alert” when your dog wants a midnight snack.
- One thing I do like about the new wireless models: you can stick them just about anywhere—no drilling, no fishing wires through insulation. Makes retrofits in older houses way less of a headache.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a balancing act between reliability and convenience. I’d love to say there’s a perfect solution, but every house (and every pet) seems to throw its own curveballs.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a balancing act between reliability and convenience. I’d love to say there’s a perfect solution, but every house (and every pet) seems to throw its own curveballs.
I get the appeal of wireless for retrofits—no question, drilling through old plaster is a pain. But I’m still not sold on the battery side of things. Even if the Zigbee sensors last a couple years, that’s still another thing to remember (and another trip to the store). Plus, I’ve noticed that when batteries get low, some models get flaky before they actually alert you. That can mean a window left open and you don’t even know it... which isn’t great for energy bills or security. Wired might look messier at first, but once it’s in, there’s nothing to maintain except maybe checking for corrosion every few years. For me, less maintenance usually wins out over convenience—at least until battery tech gets better.
- Wired sensors have been my go-to for years, mostly because of what you mentioned: once they’re in, they’re basically invisible maintenance-wise. I’ve pulled open windows from installs I did 10+ years ago, and the only issue I ever saw was a little rust on the contacts—nothing that affected performance.
-
“when batteries get low, some models get flaky before they actually alert you. That can mean a window left open and you don’t even know it...”
Definitely seen this. Had a client last winter who thought his “smart” sensors were fine, but two had dead batteries and never pinged the hub. He only found out when his heating bill spiked and he realized a basement window was cracked open for days. Not ideal.
- Wireless is easier for retrofits, no doubt. But if you’re already doing work—like replacing trim or windows—it’s worth fishing a wire while you’re in there. Even if it’s a pain with old plaster, it saves headaches later.
- Battery tech’s getting better, but still not perfect. I’ve noticed cold weather especially kills battery life on sensors near drafty windows. Something to keep in mind if you live somewhere with real winters.
- For pets, I’ve had more issues with wireless motion sensors than window sensors, but either way, false positives are more common on the wireless side. Wired setups seem less sensitive to random blips.
- One trick: If you do go wireless, keep a stash of batteries in the same spot as your air filter or smoke detector stash. Makes it less of a chore when the alert finally comes (or doesn’t).
I get why people want the convenience, but if you’re already opening up walls or doing major work, wired’s still the “set it and forget it” option in my book.
Had a similar experience a couple winters back—woke up to a living room that felt like a walk-in fridge. Turns out, one of my wireless window sensors had died quietly (no low-battery alert, of course), and I’d left that window cracked after airing out the place. Heating bill shot up for the month before I even caught it.
Since then, I’ve started making it a habit to check battery dates on all the sensors every fall when I swap out smoke detector batteries. It’s not foolproof, but it catches most issues before they get annoying. Honestly, if I’d been renovating at the time, I would’ve just run wires—retrofitting is such a pain in plaster walls, though.
I totally get the appeal of wireless for quick installs or rentals, but for anyone doing bigger work, wired still wins for peace of mind. The “set it and forget it” factor is huge... though I’ll admit, fishing wires through 1950s lath and plaster is not my idea of a fun weekend. Still, after that chilly morning, I kind of wish I’d gone through with it.