Home Automation

Anyone done any automation with Indigo/HouseLinc/Insteon/ZWave? Interested in your impressions and experiences.

 

I recently purchased ZWave system with GE Simon XTi controller with GSM only interface. Web app interface is provided by Alarm.com. Alarm.com communicates with Simon over GSM. Currently HA part is limited to 2 thermostats and deck lighting control.

I like this arrangement for thermostats lot better than the plain vanilla schedules which are pain in the neck to manipulate. I can manipulate the thermostats anytime remotely.

Only draw back with this system is, it takes about a minute for the command to execute after issuing it from the web or app interface as it has to travel to app --> alarm.com servers --> Simon XTi over GSM --> device. If alarm.com is taken out off the loop, I am sure the commands would get executed instantaneously.

One of these days, I intend to setup the drapery control for the HT, but first I need to buy the drapery . For HT scene controls, I guess I have to get another local Z-Wave controller and a Z-Wave remote.

Water heater control is not available on Z-Wave yet. Not sure if it is available on other technologies. Garage door alarms and controls are not available yet on Z-Wave either. Last time I checked, company called Aeon is testing a garage door controller.

Could not add one motion sensor to the Z-Wave network. Might be lemon.

Overall, I am satisfied until now. Love the convenience of wireless devices.

BTW, Latest Indigo (5.0?) supports Z-Wave.

 

We are playing with Zwave at the moment. Only as an add on for Lutron Radiora which is a very nice system - it is just very expensive. However they do it right and it has never failed.

The program that I am playing with (incontrol) has some bugs but is nice in that it can respond to http request. If I had to do it over might start with micasaverde. They have a new system coming out in the fall supposedly so may wait until then. Incontrol may gain a little traction - they have great support but it is more for the tech heads. Have only played with that for a few weeks. Mostly because I wanted a few switched outlets added and zwave seemed a good way to go.

So, surveillance cameras running analytics can operate lights etc via rules and command line. I can tie my existing security system and lighting in with this as they let you set up a virtual device. I tried the other night - walked around the back yard and it kicked on 600+W of deck lighting.

One possible goal is that if a deer comes I can have it kick on the sprinklers for a few minutes.

I can tie in the TV - once again issues command which hits my network IR (my own design). So, it is easy to do scenes (lights off tv on etc).

I can also use my own remote layout to do the requests.

Also have the irrigation online, can open the garage doors arm the system etc. Have a remote in the bedroom that disarms and brings the kitchen lighting on dim - I call this snack mode. If the alarm goes off it flashes the house lights making it easier to find, and send pics to my phone from the security cameras.

All with no monthly fees. There is a large demand for this - smart things just raised over $1M on kickstarter. I think they will take a while to get it working and may eventually charge for access. This really is the holy grail - recurring monthly fees so a lot of companies are trying to jump in.

I would stay away from the box store systems including insteon/iris/etc. I think insteon is low end, even though best buy has them set up in the entry way now...keep in mind that even the zwave light switches often have a firmware revision...so if this is just slapped together and not supported long term may not work. So, I stay with what is tried and true and what I can control.

The next steps up are incontrol or crestron but they are closed systems. Almost did incontrol a few years back to play with when they would give you the programmer software under the table - they don't do that anymore so glad I did not go that route. Plus, they basically keep making it more and more powerful almost like having a real computer running, while a real computer can do so much more...

The other thing that is nice about computer based systems is using existing (hard wired and 100% reliable) sensors from an alarm system.

 

One thing I wish would change about zwave is the number of affordable switches - that do not have a bright blue LED like GE. The only other one out there is Evolve, and maybe making due with a controller and some Aeon modules (2 for $50 on ebay).

By the time you buy two switches (main and accessory/3way) that you like the look of you are at $100 and might want to consider Lutron. They now have some other modules but those don't show up on ebay.

You might also find these interesting

http://www.mios.com/news/cepro-ces-...-biggest-home-automation-platform-heard/1113/

http://www.lutron.com/en-US/Residen...Residential-Solutions/WholeHomeSolutions.aspx

note: in the post above where it says "The next steps up are incontrol or crestron" should say "The next steps up are control4 or crestron"

 

We have a few things hooked up via Z-wave. Thermostat, porch lights, couple of lamps, front door lock...

We flipped the blue LED on our porch light switch because we wanted it to be on when the lights were on vs. the factory setting of on when the lights were off. (the intention of the LED is to be able to locate the switch in the dark, of which we don't really have a need.)

I'd say the most useful component is the thermostat. I think my husband would automate every electronic device in the house if I didn't reign him in...

 

Interesting to hear all the zwave devices. In reality it doesn't matter which you chose, you can mix/match them to meet your needs.

However, I wouldn't call Insteon 'low end'. Best buy and home depot have just started to carry them. It was developed by smarthome and they have a large support backing and the more devices you install the better the network. Zwave is RF only and has distance and interference limitations where as Insteon is a mesh network that works over powerline and RF (new Insteon devices referred to as "dual band"). Also, each device is a repeater which is why its better in numbers. Seems like zwave and Insteon devices have some overlap but a lot of unique items as well. Again, great to mix/match.

Shashi - Indigo 6 is out in beta but yes, its a great solution for zwave, Insteon, x10, etc.. The great thing about a computer based solution (Indigo, Homeseer, etc..) is the ability to use the best of breed. Indigo (and others) can take a trigger from a zwave device and take action on an Insteon device. I also like that Indigo uses your timezone and sunset (even weather) to determine when things come on/off rather than timers/clocks. Indigo has extensive plugins available to include the Nest thermostat. Nest won't provide APIs for the hardware, so someone wrote something to integrate most of the functions using the web interface (looks like you are communicating with the Nest; however its via the web). Another is a smartphone radar plugin that knows whos home by watching mac addresses on your network.

I do really like the Insteon KeyPadLinc's. They have 6/8 buttons and they are dimmer in that location, but can provide status of other devices. I know someone that has two of the buttons designated for garage doors and the button lights up if the door is open. Great for a master bedroom! You can get all custom buttons w/ laser etched labels for just a few bucks also.

Lots of cool stuff out there... (so little time)

 

Well, Yes and No.
Being wireless, most of the Z-Wave products operate on batteries. To save battery power, they do not act as repeaters.

However, Z-Wave products that are connect to a power source, do act like repeaters. Not sure if light switch do act like repeaters though.

I agree with you on Indigo/Homeseer's advantages. For me at this time, having a professionally monitored security system is important and the service cost included alarm.com interface.

nest is an interesting product. Only problem I see with smart appliances like that is, its "intelligence" can get obsolete pretty soon. Prefer to have intelligence in the controlling software like Indigo, which can grow with time.

 

I think it can do X10 also which I've played with a little (works but definitely low end - i.e. quality of the plastics, loud relays in the switch modules). I still in my mind associate with X10 (since they will control that). Perhaps mid-range might be more fair.

Powerline control has some issues and may have more as time goes on (e.g. EMI filtering). i.e. plug in a laptop power supply into an outlet near X10 and it does not work. Some of the reviews on amazon mention that not all of the units are dual band.

If you are counting on the benefit of mesh you will not get with mix and match of course.

Best Buy may carry today (but maybe not a few years from now), I've seen systems come and go from the home depot also. I wonder if Magnolia sells them (I think they do sell Control4 and RadioRa)?

If you are thinking of many devices I would talk to some of the professionals. That's what we did a few years back at a home show to get an idea of what they used. If you are just doing one or two rooms not a big deal if it goes obsolete or is not perfectly reliable (say from interference from a baby monitor etc).

However I will also say that it is addictive and you always want to add more or tie together more systems. None of the above is intended to be a criticism, just food for thought.

Good luck and will be interested to hear what you end up with and how you like it.

 

yes, remember google power meter?

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/google-powermeters-first-device-partner.html

http://fivepercent.us/2011/07/03/google-powermeter-ms-hohm-rip-ted-5000-go-to-hell/

 

speaking of power meters -- I'm waiting for a nice system that doesn't cost $500+ that will monitor individual circuits so i can see where all my power usage is going =)

 

Aeon labs micro switch does just that, a guy has them at 2 for $50 on ebay (I think the reason is they are the old version maybe?).

Anyway I just got a pair, arrived today. Have not tried to figure out the monitoring but they work.

Now the next step is wiring up this motion detector I bought. PIR and K-band radar, except the PIR can be disabled. So, instant response and can put the detector INSIDE the kitchen cabinet and have it turn on or off the lights after a while - without having to look at a motion detector in the kitchen. I have been pondering how to do this for a while so am kind of excited about this one.

 

I'm looking for something like this that can monitor circuits: http://www.powerhousedynamics.com/r...ty-monitor-features-circuit-level-monitoring/

 

Mike-and-Kim,

Are these the products you are trying out?
http://www.zwaveproducts.com/Zwave-...-DSB09104-ZWUS-Z-Wave-Smart-Energy-Meter.html

How did they work out?

 

The old version of this:
http://aeotec.com/z-wave-in-wall-switches/848-micro-ses-2e-manual-instructions.html

So far have only hooked up one and verified that it worked. I did order 6 more. In a pinch I think one could also use them as a contact closure sensor (i.e. transmitting status to the computer). The plan is to use two of them to automate some smaller things like an electric blanket (for Kim's birthday in June).

I'm pretty happy with the system as it has evolved. Computer for the rules/schedules and iphones for the remote aspect. I don't know if I ever will try the power monitoring, I pretty much know what it takes to run the house.

 

Switched over to homeseer (HS2) and could not be happier. I'm sure it will evolve some more, as we have only been playing around a few weekends.

Integrated with the alarm system sensors for control of some lighting. I also have some custom contact closure interfaces that I have developed.

Able to control with my scripts Yamaha receiver over the network, Jriver to a particular zone, Samsung TV, Axis server, all lighting Zwave and Lutron etc. If anyone needs those scripts let me know and can provide.

HS2 is a very powerful and RELIABLE system. Their IOS app is a little dated looking but super responsive.

I've also developed a simple remote for Kim, using html/css/asp. Basically does a POST request. I'm not a web guy just trial and error and help from friends. I have a much more involved remote that let's me control everything (smaller buttons and 4 pages at the moment). I set it up so there is a pop up asking if you want to run the command.

Movies: Love hitting one button and having it configure the stereo system, turn off the lights and turn on the fireplace.

Kim's electric blanket does a one hour pre-heat (only if we are home). Laundry room and garage lights come on automatically when the door is opened.

Opening the basement door turns on the lights, computer monitors and stereo.

Outdoor lights turn on at sunset.

 

One last thought -

Lowes sell GE Zwave as "blue iris" or something like that. They are less expensive than amazon by about $15, for the exact same part number.

You can get a switch and accessory switch for ~$45 or $35 for just the switch.

 

I started off with X10 in my previous house in Ashburn Farms. I've got all Insteon in my current house in Broadlands. I like Insteon. Happy to answer any questions you have about it.