From Anxiety to Control
We’ve all done it. You’re two hours down Highway 11, heading back to the city, and a thought hits you: "Did I turn the baseboards down to 10°C, or did I turn them OFF?"
For decades, owning a cottage in the Almaguin Highlands meant living with uncertainty. You turned the key in the lock in November and hoped for the best until April.
But today, you don't have to guess. With the right setup, you can check your cottage’s temperature, see if the power is on, and even view your driveway from your smartphone—whether you are in Toronto or Tokyo.
"But I don't have reliable internet..."
This used to be the biggest barrier in our region. DSL lines were slow, and cell service was spotty.
Enter Starlink.
Starlink has been a game-changer for rural Muskoka and Parry Sound. It provides high-speed, reliable internet virtually anywhere with a view of the sky. At Tall Pines Electric, we specialize in rural connectivity. We install Starlink dishes, run the cabling, and set up Mesh WiFi systems so you have a strong signal from the basement to the boathouse. Once you are online, a whole new level of protection becomes possible.
3 Critical Things You Should Be Monitoring
1. Temperature (The Freeze Alarm)
A smart thermostat (like an Ecobee or Nest) does more than just schedule heat. It sends an alert to your phone the second the temperature drops below your safety threshold (e.g., 7°C).
Why it matters: It gives you a 12-hour head start to call us before your pipes freeze.
2. Power Status
Hydro One outages are a fact of life here. But knowing when the power goes out—and for how long—is critical.
The Solution: We can install smart monitoring relays or "Smart Panels" that notify you of an outage.
For Generator Owners: We can integrate monitoring that tells you exactly when your generator kicked in and if it’s running smoothly.
3. Water Leaks
You can place small, wireless pucks near your hot water tank or under the kitchen sink. If they detect moisture, they ping your phone instantly.
No Internet? No Problem.
If you prefer to keep your cottage "offline," we can install cellular-based temperature monitors. These simple devices use a standard cell signal to text you power-outage and freeze alerts, requiring no WiFi or monthly internet bill.
The Tall Pines "Command Center" Approach
We don't just wire outlets; we build systems.
Installation: We handle the Starlink mounting, cable routing, and network setup.
Integration: We install the smart thermostats and monitoring devices so they work seamlessly together.
Management: Don’t want to watch the app yourself? Join our Northern Shield "Power Secure" (Tier 3) membership. We receive the 24/7 monitoring alerts and dispatch a truck if your generator stalls or your heat fails.
Ready to get connected?
Stop worrying about your cottage and start watching over it. Contact Tall Pines Electric to discuss your Starlink and smart monitoring options today.
