Remote home control isn't a new idea; in fact, there are many systems on the market that will let you control and even automate your household electronics, whether you are at home or away. Unfortunately these conventional control systems are costly, complicated and beyond what most people need or even want in their homes.
Remote home control with Z-Wave is a new idea. Thanks to its modular design and its extensive interoperability you can use Z-Wave to control any specific appliance or task around your house without having to invest in an elaborate, all-encompassing home control system. With Z-Wave, you can easily and affordably create a personal home control solution to meet your needs and customize your Z-Wave home network when your needs change.
A Modular Approach To Home Control
Z-Wave lets you build your home control system one step at a time. You can start small, by introducing remote control for your heating which allows you turn it off when you're at work and turn back on as you leave work so your home is warm and welcoming when you return, saving you energy and money. Later, as your needs grow, you can build up your Z-Wave network by simply adding more devices as you see fit; such as a Z-Wave garage door controller or a Z-Wave home security system.
All your devices can be controlled with just one remote such as a keyfob or smartphone. A single press of a button and all your Z-Wave devices will work together to setup your home just the way you want it -- the garage door will open, your entryways will light up, your security system will recognize you, and your front door will unlock. How's that for remote control?
Once you're inside, your home can welcome you with just the mood you want. Z-Wave can have your favorite music playing for you on arrival, and the thermostat set to your preferred temperature. While you were away, Z-Wave made sure the lawn sprinkler watered your lawn on schedule. If it had rained, you could have bypassed the sprinkler from work; from a PC or even a mobile phone. When you're ready to call it a night, a single button could turn off your house lights, activate your security system, turn down the thermostat and lock the doors.
All with one button. All added easily and inexpensively to your home. All with no new wiring. All according to your budget and timetables, to meet your needs and your lifestyle. Z-Wave gives you simple, affordable, personalized home control solutions. Isn't that what home control is supposed to be about?
Getting Started
Every Z-Wave network is built around a Z-Wave gateway. The Z-Wave gateway monitors all your Z-Wave devices and allows you to control them via a remote, PC or smartphone. You can also create scenes with your Z-Wave gateway which will automatically activate when a certain condition is met; such as turning on your lights when a motion is detected. You can think of your Z-Wave gateway as the "brains" of your smart home. We offer two different Z-Wave gateways that we believe can best meet our customers needs but if you have already bought a Z-Wave gateway from a different manufacturer then don't worry! Every single Z-Wave device must pass extensive certification testing to ensure that it is compatible with devices from other Z-Wave manufacturers.
Vera PLUS
The Vera Plus Home Controller is an advanced home automation gateway that allows you to manage and control home automation devices.This newest edition of the Vera gateway is compatible with an even wider range of devices than its predecessor (the Vera Edge) and supports ZigBee and Bluetooth wireless protocols along with Z-Wave and Wi-Fi. It also boasts a faster processor and more memory than its predecessor! And best of all, there are still NO MONTHLY FEES!
Supports Z-Wave, ZigBee, Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi communication protocols
Control up to 220 devices
Z-Wave Plus certified
WPS easy push button pairing for Wi-Fi devices
Built in Wi-Fi router, gateway and firewall
Supports protected mode (Z-Wave network security mode) with AES-128 encryption
*For a full list of compatible devices look through the Complete Vera Product Compatibility List under Product Support.
Vera EDGE
The Vera Edge provides all the features that you might expect from a home automation system. It can manage up to 220 devices in its network and works with over 1200 Z-Wave devices from different manufacturers. Its simple and intuitive design makes it easy to build and manage your Z-Wave network, while the ability to create ‘Scenes’ makes it easy to create the perfect home environment. It features a continuously updated list of device installation wizards allowing for hassle free network expansion. The new geo-fencing feature means you can set your Vera Edge to track your mobile phone so that it can prepare your home when it senses you’re coming back from work. The Vera Edge has plenty to offer both beginner and advanced home automators.
Fibaro Home Center 2
The Fibaro Home Center 2 is a significantly more expensive option than the Vera Edge but offers a more refined user interface that is pleasing to the eye. It also boasts an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz Processor which allows it to manage more devices in its Z-Wave network than the Vera Edge. Like the Vera Edge it also allows for the creation of automated ‘Scenes’. Other features include; an advanced backup and recovery system, SMS notifications and geo-fencing capabilities. Although it comes at a higher cost the Fibaro Home Center 2 is perfect for passionate home automators looking to build a refined and powerful Z-Wave network.
