Connecting Smart Home Devices to Shipshape
Overview
If you already have smart home devices, Shipshape can work alongside them to give you a more complete picture of your home's health. Instead of juggling multiple apps to check on different devices, Shipshape brings that information together in one place. Better yet, SAM can use data from your connected devices to provide smarter, more accurate alerts and recommendations.
How Integrations Work
Connecting a smart device to Shipshape is simple. You sign into your device's account within the Shipshape app, authorize the connection, and data begins flowing automatically. Shipshape does not replace your existing device or its app. It reads data from your device and incorporates it into your home's overall health picture.
For example, if you connect an Ecobee thermostat, SAM can see your HVAC runtime data alongside the Shipshape sensor readings from your air handler. This gives SAM a richer understanding of how your HVAC system is performing and helps it catch issues earlier.
Supported Integrations
Ecobee Thermostats
Ecobee smart thermostats are one of the most popular integrations with Shipshape.
What Shipshape gets from Ecobee:
- Current temperature and humidity readings
- HVAC runtime data (how long your system runs each cycle)
- Heating and cooling setpoints
- Occupancy data from Ecobee room sensors
How this helps: SAM can compare your thermostat data with its own sensor readings to detect HVAC inefficiency, unusual runtime patterns, or temperature inconsistencies between rooms.
SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings connects a wide range of sensors and devices to Shipshape.
What Shipshape gets from SmartThings:
- Door and window sensor status
- Motion sensor activity
- Water leak sensor readings
- Temperature and humidity from SmartThings sensors
How this helps: If you already have SmartThings leak sensors under sinks or near appliances, Shipshape can incorporate those readings into your monitoring. SAM treats them like additional data points for a more complete picture.
Z-Wave Devices
Shipshape's gateway supports the Z-Wave protocol, which means many Z-Wave compatible sensors and devices can connect directly to your Shipshape system without needing a separate hub.
Common Z-Wave devices that work with Shipshape:
- Water leak and flood sensors
- Door and window contact sensors
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Motion detectors
- Smart plugs with energy monitoring
Your service professional can help you identify which Z-Wave devices are compatible and assist with pairing them to your gateway during installation.
Amazon Alexa
Shipshape works with Amazon Alexa, giving you voice-powered access to your home's status.
What you can do with the Shipshape Alexa skill:
- Ask about your Home Health Score
- Check the status of specific equipment
- Get sensor readings (temperature, humidity, etc.)
- Hear a summary of recent alerts
Example voice commands:
- "Alexa, ask Shipshape how my home is doing"
- "Alexa, ask Shipshape about my water heater"
- "Alexa, ask Shipshape what the temperature is in the basement"
To enable the Alexa integration, open the Amazon Alexa app, search for the Shipshape skill, enable it, and link your Shipshape account.
How to Connect a Device
Connecting a new device takes just a few minutes:
- Open the Shipshape Home app
- Tap Menu
- Select Integrations
- Choose the device brand or platform you want to connect
- Sign in with your device account credentials
- Authorize Shipshape to access your device data
- Confirm the connection and choose which devices to include
Once connected, data flows automatically. You do not need to manually sync or refresh. SAM begins incorporating the new data into its analysis right away.
Benefits of Connecting Your Devices
One App for Everything
Instead of checking the Ecobee app for your thermostat, the SmartThings app for your sensors, and the Shipshape app for your home health, you can see it all in one place. Your Shipshape dashboard becomes the central hub for understanding your home.
Smarter Alerts from SAM
The more data SAM has, the smarter its analysis becomes. A standalone leak sensor can tell you there is water on the floor. But SAM, with data from your leak sensor, your water usage patterns, and your equipment age, can tell you that the water is likely coming from your 12-year-old water heater and recommend a replacement rather than just a cleanup.
Better Service Visits
When your service professional sees integrated device data alongside Shipshape's own monitoring, they get a more complete picture. This means faster diagnoses, fewer return visits, and better outcomes.
What If My Device Is Not Listed?
Shipshape is actively adding new integrations. If your device or platform is not currently supported:
- Check back regularly. New integrations are added with app updates.
- Contact support to request a specific brand or device. Popular requests are prioritized in the development roadmap.
- Z-Wave is your best bet for direct connectivity. If your device supports Z-Wave, there is a good chance it can work with Shipshape's gateway.
Privacy and Data Security
When you connect a third-party device to Shipshape, only the data relevant to home health monitoring is accessed. Shipshape does not control your devices, change your settings, or access personal information beyond what is needed for monitoring.
You can disconnect any integration at any time:
- Go to Menu → Integrations
- Find the connected device
- Tap Disconnect
The integration is removed immediately, and Shipshape stops receiving data from that device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does connecting a device cost extra? No. Integrations are included with your Shipshape account at no additional charge.
Will Shipshape change my thermostat settings or control my devices? No. Shipshape only reads data from connected devices. It does not send commands or change settings on any third-party device.
Do I still need Shipshape's own sensors if I have SmartThings sensors? Shipshape's snap-on monitoring sensors are designed specifically for home health monitoring and provide data that most consumer sensors do not capture (like electrical draw on your HVAC compressor). Third-party sensors are a great supplement, but they do not replace Shipshape's core monitoring hardware.
Can I connect devices from multiple brands at the same time? Yes. You can have an Ecobee thermostat, SmartThings sensors, Z-Wave devices, and Alexa all connected simultaneously. They all feed into SAM's analysis together.
What happens if I change my Wi-Fi network? Most integrations connect through the cloud, so changing your Wi-Fi does not affect them. Z-Wave devices connected directly to the gateway may need to be re-paired if the gateway is reset. Your service professional can help with this.