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Schlage Creates Remote Home Management Standard with Lennar Homes
[August 10, 2011]

Schlage Creates Remote Home Management Standard with Lennar Homes


CARMEL, Ind. --(Business Wire)--

Have you ever left on a vacation and wondered "Did I turn up the air conditioner?" or, "Did I remember to lock the front door?" Have you been at the office and wanted to see if your child made it home safely from school? Now, your next home can come with standardized features to answer these questions thanks to a partnership that will change the way people live in their homes.

In an effort to make smart home technology readily available to the average homeowner, Schlage, a business of Ingersoll Rand and the nation's leading lock manufacturer, is partnering with Lennar, one of the nation's leading home builders, to provide best-in-class customizable home control functionality in every new Lennar community. The system, called Schlage LiNK™, is now included in all of Lennar's new communities, beginning with recently completed homes in Tampa Bay, Fla., Houston, Texas and Las Vegas, Nev. Lennar currently has homes in approximately 250 communities across 17 states.

Schlage LiNK is a remote home management system that gives consumers a convenient and affordable way to self-monitor and control access to their homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When paired with a Trane (News - Alert) Remote Energy Thermostat, the Schlage LiNK system gives consumers total control of a home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which allows for simplified home energy efficiency.

"The Schlage LiNK System is changing the way people live in their home. It not only keeps homeowners comfortable and safe, but it helps them to better manage their lives and save energy, too," said Dwight Gibson, vice president and general manager, Connected Home Solutions for Ingersoll Rand. "Today's homeowners are interested in utilizing technology, like Schlage LiNK, to make their lives easier, and our partnership with Lennar will help bring this to more people."

The system allows homeowners to perform a variety of tasks from any location in the world via a computer or Web-enabled cell phone, including:

  • Receive email or text alerts when access codes are entered into the door lock-an ideal feature for working parents
  • Keep a 90-day log to track who's coming and going
  • Create temporary entry codes for a cleaning service pet sitter, etc.
  • Check the door to see if it is locked, instead of returning home or calling a neighbor
  • Program the system to automatically turn on lights and/or adjust the indoor temperature
  • See what's going on at home with cameras positioned in selected rooms
  • Access the Schlage LiNK system via computer and Internet-enabled phones such as the iPhone, as well as dedicated "apps" for Android (News - Alert) phones, Blackberries and the iPad
  • Create your ideal home environment, even when you're away, with the Trane Remote Thermostat. Remote access is provided through Schlage LiNK, a comprehensive Internet-enabled system that puts your home in the palm of your hand
  • Adjust home temperature remotely by computer or most Web-enabled cell phones
  • Reduce energy consumption up to 15 percent compared to traditional non-programmable thermostats

"Buying a new home has never been more advantageous to the buyer. Not only are new home prices affordable, but the addition of energy and technology features makes buying new versus old a smart choice," noted Lennar's David J. Kaiserman, president, Lennar Ventures. "The ongoing returns of an energy-efficient home in terms of reduced energy bills are huge."

Lennar has also invested in construction processes that deliver highly energy-efficient homes, and every home will be ENERGY STAR (News - Alert)-qualified. Each home will have standard vinyl, dual-pane low "E3" windows, which reduce solar heat gain more than 70 percent above clear glass; 14-SEER HVAC systems; a radiant barrier in the attic, which minimizes the heat transfer from the roof sheathing resulting in a substantially cooler attic and reduced air conditioning costs; an ENERGY STAR-compliant dishwasher, and other energy-saving features. As a result, these new homes offer a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 70 or less. In comparison, an average new-code-compliant home is 100, and a typical 10-year-old home has a HERS rating of 140. The lower the number, the better the energy efficiency.


For the most up-to-date list of Lennar communities, or to set up a showing and demonstration of an automated home in person, visit Lennar.com.

About Lennar

Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation's leading builders of quality homes for all generations. The Company builds affordable, move-up and retirement homes primarily under the Lennar brand name. Lennar's Financial Services segment provides primarily mortgage financing, title insurance and closing services for both buyers of the Company's homes and others. Lennar's Rialto Investments segment is focused on distressed real estate asset investments, asset management and workout strategies. Previous press releases and further information about the Company may be obtained at the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website, www.lennar.com.

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands-including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® -work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Schlage is the leader in security devices, trusted for 90 years, spanning both the commercial and residential markets. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or www.schlage.com.


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