Smart Home Pilot Program

Entry sensors monitor access points within your home to determine if you are entering or leaving. Using entry sensors on doors and windows also helps your Pepco Smart Home ensure you aren’t accidentally wasting energy. For example, if your entry sensor detects you’ve left home for the day, but have also left your cooling system running, the Pepco Smart Home app will alert you. Additionally, if a window or door is left open while you’re actively heating or cooling your home, the Pepco Smart Home app will send an alert to your phone.

Installing Your Entry Sensors

Pepco Smart Home sensors should not be installed outdoors. Adverse weather conditions can harm the sensitive electronics in the sensors. We recommend installing entry sensors on frequently used access points, like front or back doors, to help determine when someone is entering or leaving your home. Entry sensors can also be placed on frequently used windows to ensure they are closed when you are heating or cooling your home. Here are some ideas:

• Front door
• Back door
• Sliding glass door
• Deck door
• Basement door
• Bedroom windows
• Basement windows
• Kitchen windows

When you open your entry sensor package, you will find:

• Entry sensor
• Plastic tab
• Tamper protection backing
• Sticky tape

Tip: Consider carefully where you plan to install the sensors before sticking them into position. The sensors’ adhesive is strong, making it difficult to remove and reposition.

To begin installing your sensors:

Step 1: First, peel off the adhesive backing on the magnet and the transmitter pieces.

Step 2: Identify the small arrows on both the magnet and the transmitter. These arrows should point toward each other when installed on your door or window of choice.

Step 3: The goal is to position the two pieces as close to each other as possible without any physical interference while the door or window is opening or closing. The maximum distance between the two pieces when the window or door is closed should be no more than ½ inch.

Step 4: Doors and windows can vary in shape, size and configuration, so your installation may be unique. You should install the larger piece (transmitter) on the inside of the door jamb or window frame, and the smaller piece (magnet) on the actual door or window. This configuration works especially well for doors and windows that open inward; therefore, the reverse may work better for doors and windows opening outward.

Note: You can install the magnets at an angle if needed, but always test the sensors in the app to ensure they are functioning properly. The arrows must point directly at each other on approximately the same plane. An entry sensor that is not installed correctly might not operate reliably.

Pairing an Entry Sensor

Step 1: In the app’s home screen, tap Devices at the bottom of the screen > “+” in the top right corner > Add a Device > Entry Sensor to begin pairing the entry sensor to the gateway.

Step 2: Examining the entry sensor, you will see a small plastic pull tab. After starting the entry sensor pairing process in the app, pull out the plastic tab completely, while in the same room as your gateway. The blinking green light on the back of the entry sensor indicates it is in pairing mode and searching for the gateway.

Step 3: When the entry sensor connects, the app will automatically advance. Name your entry sensor (front door, back door, etc.) and tap Next to continue.

Step 4: Select how you want to use your entry sensor by reviewing the prompts on screen. Tap Next to continue.

Step 5: Install tamper protection. Slide the entry sensor onto the thin plastic backing to engage the switch that will blink red once. Tap Next to continue.

Step 6: Test your sensors. Use your Pepco Smart Home app to make sure the entry sensor reports “Closed” when the door or window is closed, and “Open” when the door or window is open. You might need to refresh your list of devices in your Pepco Smart Home app. To do so, pull down on the screen until you see the gray wheel spin, or select specific sensors to access additional details.

Creating Custom Rules

Here are some ideas for creating custom rules for your Pepco Smart Home entry sensors:

• If my “Front Door” opens, then make my “Front Door Smart LED” switch on.
• If my “Front Door” closes, then make my “Front Door Smart LED” switch off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Reset the Entry Sensor?

To reset the entry sensor, press and hold the copper pin on back for at least four seconds. Then tap the copper button once briefly to pair the sensor with the gateway. If the sensor does not respond, it has already been reset.

How Do You Know If the Entry Sensor Batteries Are Low?

The sensor will automatically alert you when the battery is getting low. You can check the battery level for each of your sensors within the Pepco Smart Home app under Home.

How Do You Change a Sensor Battery?

All Pepco Smart Home sensors use a CR2032 lithium coin cell battery and should last a few years. When changing the battery, you will need to locate the battery cartridge on the top of the sensor.

1. Pull the battery cartridge out.
2. Replace the battery with the positive side facing outward.
3. Replace the sensor cover and remount sensor.

How Do You Install an Entry Sensor on a Garage Door?

1. Place the magnet (smaller piece) on the wall of the garage and the transmitter (larger) on the garage door. You may need to rotate the magnet 90 degrees to ensure the arrow still aligns with the transmitter. This configuration should not disrupt the connection but be sure to test it.
2. When the garage door opens, the transmitter will slide straight up with the garage door and away from the magnet. This is when it reports “Open.” When the garage door closes, the transmitter will slide straight down, back in place next to the magnet.

In the Pepco Smart Home app, be sure to test that the sensor is reporting “Closed” when the garage door is closed.