If you’ve seen so-called “smart houses” with remote controls for lights, heating and cooling, security, home theater, and even window shades, you’ve probably been amazed–I know I was! I wondered what these home automation prices where and if I could afford it. I was surprised to find out that these systems are not just for high-end homes.
After a lot of research on all the different technologies available for home automation and the home automation price for each of them, I discovered that Z-Wave technology was the way to go. According to other home automation gurus, Z-Wave ranks among the best because it caters to many high-priority issues, notably reliability and security.
- Reliability: Z-Wave is extremely reliable and well supported due to its wireless mesh networking system. Upon sending a command to a receiver, devices acknowledge reception of the message, and if the transmitter does not receive the confirmation, the message is sent again.
In case of a second failure (say, because of interference), the intelligent system looks for other transmission alternatives by routing the command to the intended receiver using other nodes. The message is then relayed to another Z-Wave device found within a 40-meter radius of the transmitter.
Not only does the mesh network work to perfection, but it also ensures full coverage of large spaces, without requiring bridging devices.
- Two-way communication: Two-way communication allows controllers and software to sense whether lights are on, off, or dimmed within the network. This gives you the ultimate control over your home; after all, nothing is more convenient than having everything automated from one central control panel.
- Limited interference: While powerline signal strength decreases as you add more devices to the network, wireless mesh networks work in the opposite way – and, in fact, the more devices installed in the network, the stronger the signal strength becomes.
The system also avoids command collisions and interference, as the nodes make sure that there is no ongoing messaging traffic within the network before they start transmitting data.
- Wide range: Z-Wave uses the 900 MHz range for better performance, as it contains less traffic in comparison to the 2.4 GHz band. The 900 MHz range allows signals to be stronger and transmit through longer distances with more power.
The maximum operational range between two devices is approximately 45 meters (150 feet) indoors, and over 150 meters (500 feet) outdoors. All devices, except those that are battery-operated, act as repeaters, transmitting messages from node to node until it reaches its final destination. Therefore, if switches are too far apart to communicate directly, you can fill in the gaps with compatible electrical receptacles or plug-in modules.
- Complex commands: While UPB and X10 are mainly limited to lighting products – and are produced by few manufacturers – Z-Wave products are wide-ranging and diverse, from HVAC systems to sprinkler systems.
They’re manufactured by numerous major companies, thus covering applications related to lighting, window coverings, touch screens, alarms, motion detectors, universal remote controls and numerous other home control management platforms and software.
I decided to get the Vera Z-Wave Controller: Home Automation Price for under $300! Plus, Vera can slash your energy bill by 1/3 by making sure your lights, appliances, and heating/cooling systems are on only when needed. Home control software for the PC computer is complicated and requires you to leave your computer on all the time using up to 600 watts of electricity. But Vera uses only 6 watts and is very simple. There is no software to install and no computer skills are needed. Vera also cuts out the “vampire” power that appliances, like TV’s, consume even when they’re turned off. And Vera presents you clear charts visually showing where your energy is being used: in which rooms, by which types of appliances, at which times of day, and day of the week. Vera is the only mainstream home security + monitoring solution that uses the same commercial-grade secure network that banks use for online banking, so you can be assured no hacker can spy on you. The Vera also lets you securely control all the devices in your home using your mobile phone or any web browser on the Internet.
Additional Information About Z-Wave
Z-Wave works very smoothly and is easily installed, but one can’t deny that it rises a bit on the scale of home automation prices. Generally, a typical homeowner could outfit a house with a basic Z-Wave system for around $400-$600, (The Vera and several appliance modules and light switches) which is close to double the home automation price of an X10 system. Many consumers, however, feel that Z-Wave’s speed, reliability, flexibility and range of applications are well worth the extra expense.
After having used my system for about a year now, I can say that it has more than bought itself with all the electricity it has saved. I have included so links and prices below to give you an idea of what it would cost you to get started.
Explore the Vera to get started on your Home Automation Project at a Great Home Automation Price:
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