Thanks! I’ll be sure to update this post as I make progress. I’d like to have all my devices in place when your equipment arrives, that way I can get started right away. And since you asked, I can break down the details of my HA install, so everyone can get a better idea of what my sandbox actually looks like. So far, the list of items that I have GE/Jasco, Kwikset, Lockitron and Pebble, all are devices that are compatible with SmartThings. But let me go back to my original question with the information you provided.
So far the best setup of HA I have experienced is in the Aria Sky Suites. I haven’t seen to many residential setups, and that’s just my own experience. Their approach is the direct association and centralized system. Enter the suite and depending on the time of day, the curtain pulls back, music comes and pathway lighting turns on; centralized. Walk into each room, and scene controls exist. Along with modular controls for specific parts of the room; curtains, blinds, lights, and music - direct association. Visit any TV you can control all the scenes and also have modular control. Next to each bed, a Control4 device. I like this, but it seems like it’s necessary for ease of use. I can imagine someone having difficulty working with just a control interface through the TV simply to turn off the light.
Of course I put the system through it’s paces and love the Master Off/On, Room Refresh options. But what bothered me is the slowness of the GUI. And that’s why I chose SmartThings and backed it as soon as I discovered it was on iOS. (This is not a Mobile OS debate. Please.) Having the handheld GUI, and the cloud based accessed brings modular, remote and orchestration all together.
But I digress. Here is my house setup:
2 Ingress/Egress Doors, 1 Kwikset Deadbolt and 1 Lokitron - I like the Lokitron. It goes the extra step of working with preexisting setups. But I think that’s my choice for the Front Door, because I can use the knock feature and guest feature. I also don’t use my front door and think having the key code showing might encourage attempts to unlock. However, on the rear-door, I use the Kwikset. I use the rear-door, and I plan on using the presence feature to unlock and lock that door. Right now, it automatically locks, and I can of course enter with a code. My girlfriend has her own code too.
Light Switches - I chose GE/Jasco Z-Wave, because there are some name brand companies out there that make devices. I didn’t pick Z-Wave over Zigbee. The choice was made because SmartThings is also compatible with Z-Wave. So I just picked Z-Wave. Dimmers where appropriate and switches for on and off. I plan to use the SmartThings motion sensors for stairs and hallways.
Outlets - Floor Lamps and Table lamps. The receptacles will be GE and I will use them to replace all the switch controlled receptacles in the house. I might cheat and hook up one of my Access Points to it, so I can remote reboot (lol). I will be using the Smart devices to cheat where I need to; I’m not sure what exactly I will be plugging in though.
Temperature - SmartThings Challenge! I don’t have central air (house is 150 years old). So I use windowed Air Conditioners and Linevolt Thermostats for Baseboards. I did my research and found that I can do LV remotely. I will need to get a relay switch that steps in between the heating unit and the Thermostat. With that I can read the temperature and then interact such as switch on and off the heat. Instead of using the LV Thermostat, I can get a regular Z-Wave Thermostat and it will work. What’s the challenge? Maybe there is a better way or I can use Adruino to accomplish this without putting in relays. EDIT: I forgot to mention my preferred solution, can someone at SmartThing check out the compatibility for this:
http://www.friedrich.com/products/residential/window/kuhl
And if anyone is curious, I can go over the network setup. Without any cloud service I’m able to access everything at home from afar. I plan on putting SmartThings on it’s own network.
