Winterizing your home used to mean lots of physical labor - caulking windows, installing heavier drapes, maybe even changing out older windows and doors that were too efficient at releasing insulated air. Winter prep can still mean all of the above, but new Z-Wave technology has made certain aspects of winterization easier while adding another level of protection as those temperatures drop.
Here’s what we’re using to stay cozy and make sure our energy bills don’t make us freeze in our tracks:
This is one of our winter must-haves. It’s the first Z-Wave line voltage thermostat in North America (but be careful, it won’t work with forced air systems!). Use it to control electric baseboards and convector heaters all from your Z-Wave hub’s app interface. Reduce your energy consumption by 30% with custom heating schedules, or just switch to the thermostat’s built-in Economy mode to keep things efficient.
This tiny device puts no limits on your smart home creativity. Use it to automate electric radiators, electric water heaters, hot water pumps, and floor heating systems. Not only is it small enough to fit behind a standard wall-switch, it comes with a digital temperature sensor so you can monitor your heating systems closely and make custom rules based on temperature.
Looking for a way to automate a humidifier so you can get rid of the dry air and save on electricity this winter? If you tried controlling larger motors and appliances with Z-Wave you’ve probably seen many plugs fail rather quickly. The Power Switch was designed for heavy duty control, so use it freely with any 120 VAC equipment up to 15 A. It’s also great if you need to remotely monitor a sump pump. It’s an affordable, user-verified favorite.
Like the Zooz Power Switch, this new plug can reliably control a variety of loads and devices, including fans, humidifiers, and even your coffee maker for those chilly winter mornings. It’s small, comes with a bunch of advanced features, and a much nicer-looking plug than the Zooz Power Switch, if we do say so ourselves. Did we also mention that it’s officially integrated with SmartThings? That means NO custom device handler for a fully functional smart plug and power monitor, just plug and play!
We can all agree -- there is nothing worse for homeowners than a burst pipe and a flooded basement. This Dome device adds a crucial layer of protection for any kind of winter water disaster by allowing you to remotely open and close your water main. When paired with a Z-Wave flood sensor, you can even shut off the water automatically as soon as the sensor detects a leak. And check your homeowners insurance - some will give you a discount for installing this type of device!
Got winterizing ideas of your own? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Home Assistant is slowly but surely becoming the ultimate platform for comprehensive home automation. It allows users to create a truly customized and connected environment with the most integrations we've ever seen. Home Assistant has a pretty powerful automation engine too so you can program anything from simple lighting control to complex, multi-device routines. And it's open source which means we can all contribute and the basic software is free.
The secret to making your Home Assistant set-up better than ever? Add Z-Wave to it! You can instantly increase the functionality, reliability, and device compatibility of your smart home environment. Z-Wave brings a vast range of new device options that can communicate securely and consistently. They are feature rich with tons of advanced settings to choose from so you can find a good match for any use case.
In today’s highly competitive alarm business, offering security alone is no longer enough. Customers are increasingly expecting more – they want smart security solutions that work seamlessly with their modern lifestyles. The great news for your business? If you already install alarm panels, there’s a good chance they come equipped with Z-Wave technology, a straightforward entry point to home automation.
Z-Wave is a robust wireless protocol that enables a wide array of smart home services, allowing you to move beyond the traditional boundaries of alarm systems and tap into the expanding market of home automation. By leveraging the already included Z-Wave protocol, you can offer your customers centralized control over lighting, thermostats, door locks, and much more – all from the convenience of their existing alarm panel. This not only enhances the value you deliver but also sets your business apart as an innovator in the security space.
Caring for aging parents or loved ones with limited independence is a journey filled with both emotional rewards and practical challenges. The emotional toll of balancing this responsibility with other aspects of life can be overwhelming. We want to share some helpful shortcuts from our field of expertise: smart home technology.
You'd be surprised how an inexpensive and simple system like a hub and a few connected devices can change your daily routine. With the guide below, we will help you create a supportive, secure environment tailored to your loved one’s needs, all while reducing the constant worry that comes with caregiving.