We are all looking for ways to make aspects of our lives easier; how we work, how we shop, and even how we protect or automate our homes.
Let’s take some time to talk about that last item, how we protect or automate our homes. You’ve probably seen (or maybe even own) some of the technologies that do this: security systems, smart thermostats, automatic lights/blinds, video doorbells and voice control devices (like the Amazon Echo). They all do some pretty awesome things, that make user’s lives much easier. But… how do they ACTUALLY work?
Well, many of our favorite home security and automation tools work using something called Z-Wave®.
What is Z-Wave® and how does it work?
Photo Credit: Z-Wave®
According to the manufacturers, Z-Wave® is “a wireless radio frequency technology that lets smart devices talk to and connect with one another. Household products, like lights, door locks and thermostats are made “smart” when Z-Wave® connectivity is added inside the product’s design, giving them the capability to communicate and perform the desired functions.”
The devices are connected using a mesh network topology. For those of you who are not fluent in tech lingo, this means your home’s Z-Wave® network is based around a single hub that must be plugged into the wall to keep the network up and running. Each additional plug in device added to the network becomes a signal repeater. So, the more devices you have in your home, the stronger the network signal becomes. There are also many battery powered Z-wave® devices that can be added to your network.
Products powered by Z-Wave® technology work together and can be controlled using a single app on your smartphone, tablet or computer. When the network hub receives a command, it routes the command to the proper device. Z-Wave® signals easily travel through most walls, floors and ceilings and devices can communicate point-to-point for up to 120 feet on their own! To cover more space (up to 600 feet) multiple networks can be linked together.
There are currently more than 2100 types of Z-Wave® certified devices on the market, so if there is something you’ve dreamed of doing to make your home “smarter” and more efficient, chances are there is a Z-Wave® device that can make your dream a reality!
What are some of the benefits of Z-Wave® devices?
To put it simply, Z-Wave® devices make doing day-to-day activities easier and more efficient. They make it easier to:
- Control the comfort level of your home. Smart thermostats make it easy to keep your home at the perfect temperature.
- Save money on energy bills. Z-Wave devices themselves are very efficient and use very little energy, and they allow you do other energy saving activities like lowering the heat or A/C or turning off lights when they aren’t in use.
- Smart keypad or key-less door locks allow homeowners to lock/unlock doors remotely and receive notifications on which user entered their code to get in and when they used it.
- Keep your home safe and secure with devices that look in on loved ones (kids, pets, elderly parents) while you are away from them.
- Protect your home from catastrophe with automatic water shut-offs, sensors or low temperature monitors.
- Close and open a garage door remotely. No worrying about leaving it open on your commute to work!
And while there are other home automation solutions and devices on the market, Z-Wave® is the industry leader. 9 out of 10 top security companies use Z-Wave®, EPS included among that number! So, why is it that so many security companies choose to integrate Z-Wave® devices into their solutions?
One of the primary reasons is the security of the Z-Wave®, which uses the same encryption as online banking to keep your network and connected devices safe and secure. So it’s no surprise that some of the biggest names (Amazon, Nest, Honeywell and many more) power their home automation devices using Z-Wave® technology.
Do Z-wave® devices work with an EPS Home Security system?
If you have a recently installed security system from EPS, you already have the building blocks of a smart home system powered by Z-Wave®. Nearly all Z-Wave® devices are compatible with the ProSeries Home Security System allowing homeowners to connect up to 72 individual Z-Wave® devices! All of which can be easily enrolled, managed and controlled through EPS Total Connect.
The combinations and possibilities are endless.
Do you want to learn more about Z-Wave® technology and what EPS can do to meet your home security and automation needs? Fill out the form below to contact us!