March 14, 2015 16 Comments

The new Vera firmware upgrade is here with 4 new features, 20 improvements and too many resolved bugs to count. But are they really all gone? We were especially excited to see the Aeotec recessed door window sensor (ZW089-A) on the checklist as seemingly issue-free. It would be a sign of Vera finally embracing the Gen5 and Z-Wave Plus features. So we got right to testing the Aeotec ZW089-A on both our VeraEdge and VeraLite under the UI7.0.5. The sensor didn’t work immediately but with this quick fix, you’ll be able to fully control the Aeon Labs ZW089-A with your Vera.
Pair the recessed door window sensor with your hub and follow these steps:

At this point, you’ll see the sensor under an appropriate icon on your dashboard but you still won’t be able to monitor the open/close status of the device in your browser. However, you’ll see the status just fine on your mobile app and the sensor will work in scenes with no problems.
We want to hear about other Vera 7.0.5 hacks so please share in the comments below!
September 08, 2015
Thank you for the question Roly. As long as your have your Vera running on the latest UI7, it should work without a problem. If you’re still with the good old UI5, I’m afraid it will not offer enough of support for any Z-Wave Plus / Gen5 product. Sorry!
August 18, 2015
Does the ZW089-A “Recessed door Sensor Gen5” work on Vera3?
June 04, 2015
Thanks for the questions Mike and sorry for our late reply!
These parameters are specific to the device and come from the manufacturer’s engineering team. These values are usually automatically set up in Vera’s system for a given device but with newer technology some manual tweaks are necessary for full integration.
If you have any configuration issues with other Z-Wave sensors, shoot us an email and we’ll be glad to help!
As for the tamper protection, we have not tested it yet but we put it on our priority list and will get back to you with findings shortly.
Jan
The Smartest House
May 29, 2015
First, thank you for this guide! It worked for me and I really appreciate the info.
I have a couple of questions…
Can theses setting be used for any door/window sensor? I mean, are the settings ‘standard’ for a door/window sensor or are they specific to this brand/sensor type?
How did you arrive at these settings- especially the variables?
Did you investigate setting the tamper alarm function?
Again, thanks for the help.
Mike
September 08, 2020
Works as described if you follow the steps. Thanks a lot, I thought I wouldn’t be able to use this sensor with my VeraLite. Now works like a charm. Thank you!
December 26, 2025
If you love a good DIY project and a touch of smart home magic, you’ll be blown away by what YouTuber DIY With Vinny pulled off. His YouTube tutorial transforms a simple closet into a fully automated, jaw-droppingly smart space, from leak detection to mood lighting and robot-friendly automation.
The best part? It’s powered by some seriously smart Zooz Z-Wave gear that makes everything run seamlessly behind the scenes. All of the Zooz devices featured here support the new Z-Wave Long Range protocol, so your smart home stays connected and responsive, even across floors, garages, or detached spaces.
Let’s take a tour of this build and peek at how you can recreate it in your own home.
August 11, 2025 5 Comments

Smart home tech isn’t just for indoors anymore—it’s transforming yard care too. While we’re used to voice assistants and smart thermostats, outdoor tools like sprinkler systems are catching up. Instead of wasting water on rigid schedules, smart systems adapt to the weather, skip rainy days, and keep your lawn healthy with minimal effort.
Smart sprinkler control makes it easy to upgrade your existing irrigation system with a device like the Zooz ZEN17 Universal Relay. Compatible with SmartThings, Hubitat, Z-Box, Home Assistant, and HomeSeer, it fits into most smart home setups without locking you into one platform. This post covers the benefits of automating your sprinklers, how to set up the ZEN17, control options, and real user tips to help you get the most from your system.
June 12, 2025 2 Comments
Imagine this: it’s a stuffy summer night, and you’re already in bed when you realize the ceiling fan is off. Or maybe you’ve left the house and can’t remember if the bathroom fan is still running. What if your fan could turn on automatically when the room gets too warm—or shut off when no one’s around?
That’s the beauty of smart fan control. It’s not just about convenience (though turning your fan on with your voice or a tap on a smart remote is pretty great). It’s about making your home more energy-efficient, more responsive, and just... smarter.
Ricardo Garcia
October 04, 2015
Hi! I did as described, but the sensor is now gone from my device list… any ideas?