Smart Home / Home Automation

[jrandy]

About 6 months ago my wife and I moved into our new house. As with any other house move, it has been quite the project.

The next thing on my list was looking into adding some smart home / home automation items. However it seems like there is quite a bit of variety of products and the reviews are all over the place.

I was first looking at the Nest, but found out that there are better products that offer more features for cheaper.

I was thinking of this instead:

http://smile.amazon.com/Honeywell-T...50326725&sr=1-1&keywords=honeywell+thermostat

Eventually I would like to add home security into the mix (cameras, door sensors, motion sensors, and smoke / CO2 detectors) as well as controlling lights through my iPad / Smart Phone.

If anyone is using anything like this I am curious to know what set up is and how you like it. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Drive XR7]

I have an interest in home automation also, but I can't quite yet justify the cost for a few gadgets that will be entertaining at parties. I keep trying to come up with use cases.

I did buy an outdoor light programmable timer, from Honeywell. It replaced the light switches for your outdoor lights and turns the outdoor lights on at sunset and off at 11pm or whenever you want them off. I wired both my outdoor garage lights and front door lights to the same switch so they come and off at the same time. Pretty neat. http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-Econoswitch-RPLS740B-Programmable-Switch/dp/B004AP92N2

A Nest for a thermostat is also a good idea because it learns your habits and adjusts your temperature automatically versus point-in-time like regular thermostats. It can even save you money. It wouldn't make sense for me because I work from home 100% of the time.

I would love a keyfob for my house where my front door lock will automatically unlock versus me having to use a key. Or some type of smart-lock for your doors so you can ensure they are locked from your phone, or unlock them for a friend or family when away from the house.

The other home automation gadgets out there, I don't find much use for right now.

 

[carrrnuttt]

I have two of these in my house: http://www.amazon.com/Ecobee3-Thermostat-Remote-Sensor-Generation/dp/B00NXRYUDA

Here's an Amazon review:

Our house had been using the Nest since the first generation product. Although we did save money over the course of a few years, the Nest is not positioned in the most ideal place in our house so we had to resort to scheduling instead of using the built in sensors.

When Ecobee announced their new Ecobee3 with remote sensors, I knew I wanted to replace our Nest, specifically for the remote sensors. The install for the Ecobee3 was a little more involved than the Nest. I needed to open up our HVAC system to install the PEK unit to provide the C wire to the Ecobee3 thermostat. This was not that difficult, but was an extra step needed compared to the Nest. Once I had wired the Ecobee3 properly, I proceeded to follow the setup instructions and registered the product with their online portal. Setup was extremely easy.

After initial setup, I configured 3 remote sensors (upstairs bedroom, loft, living room), which helps the Ecobee3 keep our house at a consistent temperature. Ecobee3 supports a "follow me" feature with the remote sensors that helps determine which rooms in the house are occupied and relays this information to the main thermostat to help with comfort.

Overall, I'm happy with this purchase, especially with the remote sensor features!

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/ecobee3-thermostat,review-2708.html

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/0...rt_thermostat_this_is_likely_the_one_for_you/

VS Nest: http://time.com/4075356/nest-thermostat-review-hands-on-ecobee3/

Mind you, most of these reviews are from earlier in the year, and they have already updated the software and added improvements that way in the several months since I've installed the ecobee3. I did the install myself.

For my downstairs, where I have a large formal area with large windows where the actual thermostat is, it usually gets warmer than the rest of the house. I save on electricity by having my ecobee3 ignore the actual thermostat as a trigger and go by my Family Room temps. You can create custom comfort settings and schedules, but it also has a learning capacity as well as the ability to sense occupancy per sensor. With my house, at least downstairs, where the actual thermostat isn't in a place we're in a lot, it actually wouldn't learn much, and it might end up telling us we're away when we aren't.

Lastly, you can create recipes for the ecobee3 on IFTTT: https://ifttt.com/ <- I can set mine to automatically set itself to "away" when me and my phone are a certain distance from the house. I can then have it start cranking up the A/C or heater when I'm a certain distance from my house, like two miles away.

 

[Drive XR7]

Lastly, you can create recipes for the ecobee3 on IFTTT: https://ifttt.com/ <- I can set mine to automatically set itself to "away" when me and my phone are a certain distance from the house. I can then have it start cranking up the A/C or heater when I'm a certain distance from my house, like two miles away.

IFTTT is a great website, not just for home automation. We tell our students to use it when they are just getting started with programming.

 

[Sirhc7897]

I have two of these in my house: http://www.amazon.com/Ecobee3-Thermostat-Remote-Sensor-Generation/dp/B00NXRYUDA

Here's an Amazon review:



http://www.tomsguide.com/us/ecobee3-thermostat,review-2708.html

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/0...rt_thermostat_this_is_likely_the_one_for_you/

VS Nest: http://time.com/4075356/nest-thermostat-review-hands-on-ecobee3/

Mind you, most of these reviews are from earlier in the year, and they have already updated the software and added improvements that way in the several months since I've installed the ecobee3. I did the install myself.

For my downstairs, where I have a large formal area with large windows where the actual thermostat is, it usually gets warmer than the rest of the house. I save on electricity by having my ecobee3 ignore the actual thermostat as a trigger and go by my Family Room temps. You can create custom comfort settings and schedules, but it also has a learning capacity as well as the ability to sense occupancy per sensor. With my house, at least downstairs, where the actual thermostat isn't in a place we're in a lot, it actually wouldn't learn much, and it might end up telling us we're away when we aren't.

Lastly, you can create recipes for the ecobee3 on IFTTT: https://ifttt.com/ <- I can set mine to automatically set itself to "away" when me and my phone are a certain distance from the house. I can then have it start cranking up the A/C or heater when I'm a certain distance from my house, like two miles away.

Just ordered an Ecobee myself after seeing it in use at a friends place. Was super impressed with the ability to use remote sensors to run the temp readings from as that is very applicable in my house (terrible thermostat placement). It was delivered via FedEx today. Anxious to get it installed and learn it...

 

[ford fanatic]

We brought our alarm system guy out to give us a price on home security/monitoring. Our system is currently not monitored, but we added a 600 sq ft addition to the house and a 3 car garage so we need our system updated for the new windows and doors.

Technology has certainly advanced from when the house was built almost 10 years ago.

The ad-ons to the basic alarm system were pretty cool. Lights, cameras, thermostat and even the deadbolt to the entry door could be locked/unlocked from your cell phone. To me one of the coolest features was that you set in a distance from your house using the GPS and once you break that proximity, your house will automatically start cooling/heating to the temp you desire. It will also turn on selected lights so you don't come home to a dark house.

 

[RDLightning01]

Take another look at nest. It is kind of expensive but if you buy nest thermostat the cameras the co2 alarms. They are all in one app on your phone. I have 2 dropcams which is now nest and a 2nd gen nest thermostat. I have zero complaints. They have never not worked for me. They are coming out with door locks also soon.

 

[capnkirk52]

I have the Honeywell thermostats in my house. One upstairs and one downstairs. They aren't the full touch screen versions that are shown in your link but they are badass. You want AC but it's 3:45 in the morning and you dont' wanna get up??? Couple lazy taps on your phone and you're cool!!! hahah.. I love being able to program them for specific temps and specific times. I'd advise you to get them!..

I use a company called Vivint for home security. I rarely arm my system but it's nice to know you can have remote door locks and a couple fire/smoke alarms. The prices is around $60/mo for the equipment and service so I'm probably not getting my money worth on that but all it takes is one bad thing to happen and that money could be the best you ever spent.

 

[JD03Cobra]

Comcast has been bugging me about their home security. My bill dropped $10 by simply adding this to my plan, virtually a new plan with the same stuff. Works pretty good, especially with the app control.