Home Automation newbie with some questions

[bcbickers]

Hello Everyone!

What a GREAT forum! Some much good information that my head is still spinning. What started me down this road were exterior door locks and new smoke detectors. My door locks look horrible, and I noticed the Kwikset and Schlage Z-Wave products that allow remote locking/unlocking in conjunction with a security system. Same thing with the newer smoke detectors. After a few days of reading, researching, and asking around, I am more confused than ever.

First, I am completely baffled by just what components I need. Here's what I want out of my system:
-> Integrated security with wireless keyfob and/or smartphone app (doors lock when alarm system is armed, specific door(s) unlock when system is disarmed)
-> System that supports central monitoring for police, fire, ambulance (but not ADT - $50 a month is INSANE)
-> Life safety upgrades (one smoke detector goes off, they all go off, etc)
-> Exterior lighting controls (wireless keyfob, linked to security system, maybe a timer)
-> Thermostat integration (2 units) to allow remote temperature control/adjustments
-> Two exterior cameras (don't really know how or why these would be integrated with the security system...)

From what I have found, 2Gig and iControl both offer nice products. But what controls everything (i.e. what is the brain, who is the head honcho)? Is it the security system or a separate HA hardware/software package into which the security system connects? Will a 2Gig or iControl or ??? system do what I need without having a separate controller (Elk M1, etc)? Sorry for what are probably simple questions, but I just can't sort out the relevant stuff from the noise. Thanks for any advice and information!!

 

[ano]

Most people here will use one of two systems for their core security system, either an ELK or HAI Omni. Both have pros and cons, but I would pay attention to the accessories for each and what you can do if you spend a whole bunch. You probably won't but seeing these products helps you know what can be done. I know HAI's line better, but options include touchscreens with video camera support, whole house music integration, and even a Windows Media Center plug-in so you can control your house from your PC while you are watching TV. Thermostat control is easy, just add the thermostats and your good to go. Alarm monitoring from NextAlarm runs about $12/month.

After you get your security system running, you'll want to automate lights and this means Z-wave, UPB or Insteon. Figure $40-$60 per light switch, so it can add up fast, but these two panels can handle lighting.

That covers most of you list, but once you get there, chances are you will want to do more, so always look for maximum expandability, even if it costs a bit more from the start.

 

[apostolakisl]

As mentioned, pretty much Elk and HAI are your two options. I have Elk. The Elk is a security system that has evolved into a full home automation system. You definitely want a true security system to run your security, and both systems are that.

The Elk or HAI typically serve as your HA "director".

I have said this before and will say it again, ISY makes the best little home automation interface ever and the customer service is so rediculously more than any product you have ever had in your life you can't even believe it. Seriously. It links up your Elk to Insteon lighting and as I understand UPB is available too (at least as a beta). The super tiny super energy efficient device has all the memory, programming capacity, and resources you would ever need, and they keep adding more and more. I have been mostly moving my programming over to ISY whenever possible. The ISY and Elk are more like peers where Elk primarily directs security and its relays, while ISY directs Insteon stuff, and the two talk back and forth when Insteon stuff and Elk stuff happen together. I suspect that ISY will take over virtually all of the programming and Elk will simply execute activities once the full ISY/Elk integration module is complete (presently the integration is partial).

Keep in mind that security systems are a bit more constrained. A true security system will by UL listed and these companies have to jump through a lot of hoops to keep that, so they don't do any beta testing in public and they aren't quick to add new features. ISY on the other hand has a lot more freedom to innovate rapidly and do it in the public forum.

 

[tmbrown97]

I too use the Elk, but if you're not looking to go as far as many of us have, you can always explore things like the 2gig solution - with its z-wave built in, it should be able to handle your lights and thermostats as well.

There are a lot of options depending on what you want to accomplish in the end and what base system you want. You can use a simple DSC alarm over the Elk or HAI and use software or other hardware controllers to tie everything together, or you can use something like the Elk or HAI as a full fledged automation controller. For me it's 90% of what I run, with Elve (software) running on top to handle other stuff.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

I would probably stay with either the Elk or HAI. The 2gig system requires a dealer account to get the monitoring.

As far as the zwave locks, I would stick with the Kwikset because it won't require an monthly service fee if you have devices that do encrypted zwave security beaming.