Controlling your garage door remotely is one of the many blessings of home automation. Finally, you don’t have to look back when driving off for the long weekend. Instead you can set a time everyday for the device to make sure your garage is closed. Or create an event based on geofencing which will open the garage whenever you’re about to pull into the driveway.
Telguard teamed up with FortrezZ to create a Z-Wave solution which brings all of the above and more. Functionality obviously depends on the kind of gateway you’re using. But the greatest thing about the Telguard GDC1 is that they decided to go with the simplest command class possible, namely the binary switch you’ll find in any Z-Wave light switch. It essentially means that you’ll be able to get the simple on/off (which translates into open/close) control and monitoring under virtually any Z-Wave controller.
If you’re thinking about automating your garage door you have probably considered the DIY option, including a garage tilt sensor and a contact module, such as the Evolve LFM-20 or FortrezZ MimoLite. It can be cheaper but keep in mind that this solution is not certified by the UL for safety so potential liability is far greater than when you get the UL 325 listed GDC1.
You might have also looked at the Linear GD00Z-4 device which looks fairly similar but carries a few significant differences. First of all, Linear uses a different command class (Barrier Operator CC) which is not supported as widely as the binary switch.
In terms of installation, the Linear uses a battery-powered tilt sensor, while the GDC1 operates with a fully wired door contact sensor. I hate to worry about replacement batteries (they’re never around when you need them) so Telguard wins this round for me.
In case you need a bit more insight to make a decision, I put together a list of what’s already good about the GDC1 Z-Wave garage opener and what could be improved:
Let me know if you have anything to add to the list!
Do you have any garage solution recommendations that I missed? Use the comments section below to share.
Water damage is one of the top home insurance claims in the U.S. Most of us have either experienced a leak or will experience one, especially in our basements. It's stressful and costly to deal with repairs and insurance. So what can you do? Traditional flood monitoring methods, such as manual water level gauges and simple alert systems, are less effective and are quickly becoming outdated. Thankfully, there are smart flood protection systems available today.
In today's fast-paced world, the concept of a smart home is no longer a futuristic dream but a present-day reality. At the heart of a truly reliable and efficient smart home setup is a robust hub that acts as the central command center for all your devices. The Z-Box Hub stands out as a game-changer, offering unparalleled reliability and ease of use.
Welcome to the ultimate guide on transforming your home with smart lighting. We want to focus on the solutions that are most helpful in creating a comfortable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing environment. Whether you're just beginning your journey into home automation or looking to expand your existing setup, understanding the nuances of smart lighting is essential. Let's jump in!
Imagine your lights gradually brightening in the morning, simulating a natural sunrise to help you wake up gently and feel more refreshed. In the evening, your lights gradually dim, creating a calming atmosphere that can help you unwind and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Sounds perfect, right? But how exactly do you get there?
Jan (The Smartest House)
October 01, 2015
DB, I’m sorry you have experienced so much trouble trying to pair the Telguard with your panel. Sometimes, it’s a range issue and at time all it takes is to put the panel in exclusion mode first. Take a look at our blog entry on the easiest pairing fix ever:
http://www.thesmartesthouse.com/blogs/the-smartest-blog/17602860-no-1-z-wave-pairing-trick
Let us know how it went!