Anyone here do home automation?

[th3w01f]

I have a lot of questions and if you do it professionally I'd like to get a quote.

The main issue I have at the moment is entering a dark living room and wanting to turn on the kitchen light that's 30' away. I'd like to use a panel or something similar to turn lights on and off from the hallway outside of the bedroom. Remote motion sensory or switches might also work but these are ceiling mounted so plug in options won't work.

[Great-Kazoo]

WE just installed a LED strip in a usually dark area of the house, it came with a remote. They also offer remotes for ceiling fans and lights. Along with sensor dimmer / ON - OFF light switches.
Probably not what you had in mind.

http://www.lutron.com/en-US/Products/Pages/StandAloneControls/Dimmers-Switches/MaestroIRDimmer/Overview.aspx

http://www.control4.com/

[gnihcraes]

Smarthings.com. works well. Not perfect but...

...

[Brian]

I do a lot of home automation. If you just have one light though, I'd probably just go something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/SK-8-Wireless-Anywhere-Lighting-Control/dp/B0052ROEB2

[asmo]

I have a bunch of zwave switches, outlets, and sensors all around the house. I use SmartThings as my controller and am pretty happy. It's super easy if you have any electronic/electrical knowledge.

Let me know what specific questions you have - happy to help. Your requirements sound pretty easy. Couple of switches and you should be good to go.

[Grant H.]

I have been goofing around with Ubiquiti mFi outlets and light switches.

https://www.ubnt.com/mfi/inwall/
https://www.ubnt.com/mfi/mpower/

[def90]

Lutron RadioRa2..

The question is how much do you want to spend?

[drift_g35]

I installed some Wemo switches and they have been 100% so far. I also use an app called IfThisThanThat https://ifttt.com/ to control some stuff around the house. For example if I get within a certain radius then certain lights turn on for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Irving]

While you're at it, there is a WiFi controlled auto shut off for your main water line. I think you set it to detect water flow when you're gone and it automatically shuts off the main line.

[brutal]

While you're at it, there is a WiFi controlled auto shut off for your main water line. I think you set it to detect water flow when you're gone and it automatically shuts off the main line.

I could be wrong, but I suspect the water district here also has the ability to shut off my water remotely with the new wireless meters they installed. I asked him about moving it up into the floor joists (it's at the bottom of the damn stairwell) and he did say they can detect the lack of pressure to the meter and might come knocking (fraud detection or something). Not that I would expect they could detect a leak and shut it down, just commenting. For that matter, they sure as hell didn't proactively tell me I was using 3x my normal consumption when I found a water leak on the sprinkler system and then saw my bill two days later. [Eek2][panic][Cry]

[gnihcraes]

Watch those new meters, serious complaints from many about the meters over calculating the usage.

Go to eyeonwater.com or .org and you can get
Live data from your meter. Live being about 24hour delay.



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[Irving]

I've handled a claim where the city shut down the water due to them detecting a leak through the standard meter before. Granted this was during winter when the water bill was 4 times higher than usual. Someone from the city came knocking and when no one answered and the house appeared abandoned they shut the water off at the street. You can imagine how pleased the landlord was to arrive back in the country after a month and walk into that mess.

Long story short, the city CAN discover a leak and turn your water off for you, but probably after about a month too late, and only if it's winter, and you'll still have a huge water bill.

[brutal]

Watch those new meters, serious complaints from many about the meters over calculating the usage.

Go to eyeonwater.com or .org and you can get
Live data from your meter. Live being about 24hour delay.



...

eyeonwater.com looks like Colorado water going to Kommifornia.

[Brian]

smartthings starter package is on sale this week. $50 off the $250 price ($199 now). Decent deal if you want the included components. Amazon, smartthings website, I assume pretty much everywhere. The hub itself is still $99 but there are a couple deals out there if you just want the hub.

[gnihcraes]

this works great with smarthings.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UZH7B8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

also keeps track of how many watts is currently being used and a total for whatever is plugged into it.

[Brian]

this works great with smarthings.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007UZH7B8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

also keeps track of how many watts is currently being used and a total for whatever is plugged into it.

Hm I haven't tried that one - looks nice, I might have to pick up a couple.

Looks like it was down to $15 last week. Man I would have bought a bunch of them then.

[gnihcraes]

Wow, that cheap? I missed it.. Owell.

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[Irving]

Does anyone on here have their garage controlled by a WiFi app? My wife is super paranoid about leaving the garage door open (thank goodness) and something like that would be just the thing she needs. I thought I remember someone on here had one.

[Monky]

You can buy them that do it. I think mine does it but I've never bothered to set it up


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[Irving]

Do you mean buy a WiFi enabled opener from the get go,as opposed to retrofitting a current opener? I'll be going the retrofit direction.

[asmo]

Does anyone on here have their garage controlled by a WiFi app? My wife is super paranoid about leaving the garage door open (thank goodness) and something like that would be just the thing she needs. I thought I remember someone on here had one.

While I cannot control my garage door with mine, I use a cheap door contact sensor to tell me whether or not it is open/closed. Its mounted on the side of the garage door and works perfectly with SmartThings. If you want to actually control the door (again via Zwave/Zigbee) then get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Linear-GD00Z-4-Z-Wave-Controller/dp/B00M75TEIU/ (again assuming you already have a SmartThings or Wink or Verde controller).

[meatman]

While I cannot control my garage door with mine, I use a cheap door contact sensor to tell me whether or not it is open/closed. Its mounted on the side of the garage door and works perfectly with SmartThings.
asmo, Since you already have the open/closed sensor, you could actually control your garage door with one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Z-Wave-Isolated-Contact-Fixture/dp/B00ER6MH22/



If you want to actually control the door (again via Zwave/Zigbee) then get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Linear-GD00Z-4-Z-Wave-Controller/dp/B00M75TEIU/ (again assuming you already have a SmartThings or Wink or Verde controller).
I have one of these, and it works well. It's nice because it actually beeps and flashes before the door goes up or down. It didn't work at first but I found a fix online that uses a $3 12v relay and a 12v power supply, both of which I had laying around.

[Stevensje]

You can add to current garage door opener or by a new automatic door opener with in built in for another $50. Myq built in garage door opener works great. The add on MyQ has been temperamental.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Chamberlain-MyQ-Universal-Smartphone-Garage-Door-Controller-MYQ-G0201/204394627

[asmo]

asmo, Since you already have the open/closed sensor, you could actually control your garage door with one of these: http://www.amazon.com/GoControl-Z-Wave-Isolated-Contact-Fixture/dp/B00ER6MH22/

I have thought about it, but I don't want to bounce power to the mains. Also, I still want to have intermediary control via the wired button and I haven't figured out how to wire it correctly to accomplish both. Probably missing something simple.

[brutal]

Do you mean buy a WiFi enabled opener from the get go,as opposed to retrofitting a current opener? I'll be going the retrofit direction.

I have the Chamberlain MYQ opener setup and it's great. Compatible with Chamberlain openers built since 1998 can work with the add-on wall switch and hub kit. New openers have it built in and you just need the hub.

http://www.chamberlain.com/smartphone-control-products/smartphone-connectivity

http://www.chamberlain.com/smartphone-control-products/smartphone-connectivity/myq-internet-connectivity-kit

They have an add-on kit for "other" as well, I believe it can sense the door open/closed.

MyQ also works with Wink last time I looked, not sure about other automation apps/gateways.

[Brian]

Anybody have a recommendation for a water sensor? Bonus points if it has a thermometer too, and if the battery works well. The Samsung/smartthings detector has mixed reviews, as do most of the zwave compatible devices.

The laundry room sink was leaking and ruined a few things in the basement. Luckily it wasn't too bad and I caught it early, but want to make sure i'm being proactive.

I thought about going with a cheap non-automation sensor, but would prefer something that connects in.

[Irving]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

[00tec]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

Just got a Kevo on sale at Best Buy. It works, but don't have long term experience with it, since I got it Saturday.

I'm a lot less worried about someone hacking the lock than I am about someone simply breaking a window.

I bought it for the new house, but installed it in the apartment door for now, until house is done. Easy to re-key to use your existing keys.

[asmo]

Bumping this thread again. I've been looking at reviews for electronic deadbolts.

My main concerns are security weak points, as in I don't want anyone to be able to hack my front door because it is Bluetooth enabled. Also, I don't really like Bluetooth.

Second, while the front door isn't a big deal to be integrated into home automation stuff, I am interested in knowing which brands/programs are popular with good support. I don't ever want to pay a monthly service either. I'll go back through this thread and look more closely at the earlier recommendations.

If anyone has any personal experience with electronic deadbolts and has any input on what they like/dislike about what they've used, I'd appreciate any input.

All wireless home automation systems are insecure to a trained/determined attacker. Don't use Bluetooth for your door if you don't want to. I am more of a Zigbee/Zwave person. #1 issue with electronic deadbolts at is point is style - they are all ugly as hell. #2 placement for the number of holes on your door (e.g. got two holes and want a system that works for both - too bad).

[Irving]

Just got a Kevo on sale at Best Buy. It works, but don't have long term experience with it, since I got it Saturday.

I'm a lot less worried about someone hacking the lock than I am about someone simply breaking a window.

I bought it for the new house, but installed it in the apartment door for now, until house is done. Easy to re-key to use your existing keys.

I've seen that one, and it seems to be the most low-key of everything I've seen. I think I might like a keypad though. I see a lot of them just have touch screens. Usually I'd say that is superfluous, but I'm intrigued to find out if the purpose of a touch pad is so the numbers can be moved around and you're not typing in the same pattern all the time and wearing physical keys off.


All wireless home automation systems are insecure to a trained/determined attacker. Don't use Bluetooth for your door if you don't want to. I am more of a Zigbee/Zwave person. #1 issue with electronic deadbolts at is point is style - they are all ugly as hell. #2 placement for the number of holes on your door (e.g. got two holes and want a system that works for both - too bad).

Is there truth to Bluetooth being used to hack into people's phones?

I guess I should mention that I don't really know what makes a normal lock better than others, and don't want to be blinded by fancy stuff if the lock itself will still be junk.

The Schlage stuff is rated Grade 1, which is apparently good for a lock. I'm interested in this model, but haven't decided if I want an actual key as well. I think I do. Schlage also pairs with a home automation system that you have to pay for and I wouldn't want to use, but like I mentioned before, that is the least concern.
http://www.schlage.com/en/home/keyless-deadbolt-locks/touch.html

[TheGrey]

Skynet won't have access to our home. No way, no how.

[tinhat]

[Irving]

I do have outward swinging storm doors as well that are always locked as a second security layer. Needed in our neighborhood for sure.