From the Editor
November 21, 2011
Get Your Z-Wave On!
The idea’s been tempting you for months. You keep reading about Z-Wave and seeing those products at Fry’s and Lowe’s that promise instant home control with a simple installation. So far, you’ve resisted because, come on, it can’t really be that easy, can it?
I’m here (as a non-techy) to tell you that it is. While not all Z-Wave products are as simple as plug and play, many are. Some take a little more work than others, but if you follow the directions step by step, you’ll find that some installations are no more challenging than setting up your internet access.
Frankly, it's great not to have to enter my dark house at night, thanks to the Wayne Dalton Car2U Bridge and Hawking lamp module. With these two products I can use my existing garage door opener to turn on a lamp in the entry way before getting out of my car. I can even use the same remote to turn off the light as I leave the house. This is such a satisfying example of a Z-Wave application that we'd like to share the experience with you.
Here at ZWaveWorld, we are lucky enough to have a resident technology expert in David Powell, who has developed his home control environment from the ground up. That said, he’s uniquely qualified to provide the guidance you might need to get started on this kind of project.
That’s why we’re kicking off a complete package of How-To reports to help you get past that baffling feeling of “Where do I start?” First, we take you through the steps (there are quite a few, but they tend to be simple and straightforward) to install a configuration using the Hawking HomeRemote Pro Kit, so you can see how relatively simple it is to install and use your home network controller.
Then we’ll add a Wayne-Dalton thermostat to the network for an application that can not only help you conserve energy, but you'll find the convenience addictive. Finally, we’ll show you how a Wayne-Dalton Car2U System can make a key part of home security a one-button operation, managing your home safety lighting from your car.
This is all to provide you with comfort, control, and security, using a Z-Wave network, not to mention reducing utility costs. Considering that nearly 70 percent of the average household utility bill could be influenced by wireless sensor network application to temperature and lighting (according to the Wireless Sensor Network Technology Trends Report, Summer 2008 edition), monitoring and utility management are key concerns.
On the next project we'll be adding some more lights to this system using more plug-in modules from Hawking, and working up the courage to replace a few built in light switches with some products from Wayne Dalton. Stay tuned for more as I light my way to comfort and energy savings.
So, go ahead; get your Z-Wave on.
Let me know what you think catherine@zwaveworld.com.
Catherine LaCroix
Editor, ZWaveWorld
