Insteon, Z-wave or something else

[mark_anderson_us]

Hi All

I'm moving home in about 4 weeks (haven't found a place to buy yet, but we will). My "new" place is probably going to be an older home in Chicago and I want to add home automation.

Existing Stuff:
Sonos for multi-zone Audio
Windows Media Center for Movie library
I will get networking (hopefully wired) to all the places I need it


Requirements (in priority):
MUST be DIY installable (in a finished house, so no major wiring) and user-programmable
MUST not require a computer to operate (OK for setup), but don;t want to spend $1,000+ on a controller (may do later)
MUST be bi-directional communications (e.g. not X10)
Remote access/control from Web/iPhone/iPad

Garage door control/monitoring (with assocaited lights)
Lighting control (scenes and part of an activity on my Logitech harmony (IR)
Possibly security system
Possibly HVAC/Thermostat
Possibly irrigation
Possibly shade/window control

I've read a lot over the last few weeks and I decided a good pilot project will be the garage door and some lighting with a budget of about $500 (give or take)

I've read a lot of good things about newer insteon products, especially when used with the ISY-99's.

I recently read quite a bit about Levitron's z-wave; although, there seems to be doubts about how well it works when switches are installed in metal boxes.

There seems to be a massive amount of hardware and software for Insteon stuff too.

What would you guys recommend or use if you were starting over and wanted something expandable?

Regards

Mark

 

[pete_c]

Welcome to the forum Mark. Lots of information on the forum.

MUST not require a computer to operate (OK for setup), but don;t want to spend $1,000+ on a controller (may do later)

Not really sure of your statement. There are a few ways to do HA. One is software and one is hardware (controller).

 

[Frunple]

I agree with Pete. I think you may want to do a bit more research before diving in.
You want remote access, but you don't want a controller?
Possible security system? This is basically the "connector" for any HA system. How else can everything be tied together? This will tell your HA system (ie controller) when you are home, when you are out, when you are in for the night, when you are away on vacation. Think about it, your whole house is monitored by the security system. A good example is when you arm your alarm for away (meaning you leave for work as an example), just arming the alarm will tell your HA system (ie controller) to adjust the temp to a more cost effective temp, turn off any lights left on, turn off tv, stereo or any other appliances, etc, etc, etc.

My personal opinion, read more about Insteon, then go with UPB or Zwave.

 

[drvnbysound]

read more about Insteon, then go with UPB or Zwave.

That seems to be exactly what many people end up doing.... well said

 

[Rupp]

I'm not sure why you do not want a computer to operate as these can be setup for as liitles as $250 then you can run software like HomeSeer.
- Sonos for multi-zone Audio
HomeSeer has a Sonos plugin ...

-Windows Media Center for Movie library
HomeSeer has a Windows Media Center plugin for XP and Vista.

Requirements (in priority):
- MUST be DIY installable (in a finished house, so no major wiring) and user-programmable - Check
- MUST not require a computer to operate (OK for setup), but don;t want to spend $1,000+ on a controller (may do later) No Check
- MUST be bi-directional communications (e.g. not X10) - Some X10 is bidirectional, as it UPB and some Z-Wave
- Remote access/control from Web/iPhone/iPad - HomeSeer has a new touch screen interface that has iPhone/iPad/iTouch plugins.

Garage door control/monitoring (with assocaited lights) - Check with the right automation devices
Lighting control (scenes and part of an activity on my Logitech harmony (IR) - Check
Possibly security system - HS has over 8 plugins for nearly all security systems.
Possibly HVAC/Thermostat - HS has many plugins for nearly every automated thermostat
Possibly irrigation - HomeSeer has several plugins fro irrigation controllers and water scheduling
Possibly shade/window control - HS controlls Z-Wave blind controllers

You can give HomeSeer a 30 day trial here and if you need another trial when you move in simply ask on the HomeSeer help desk.
http://www.homeseer.com/downloads

 

[mark_anderson_us]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm now confused. From what I've read (and I've read a ton: most of which is way out of date), I understood I don't need to have something like a Pro-100 controller (@$2K). My understanding is that you can upload scenes, etc. to the Insteon devices (don't recall what they are all called), but the ISY-99's are much better and are pretty much inexpensive "controllers".

I work in IT and I'm in no way interested in having a separate PC that has to be on and run a software app for everything to work. As far as I understand this would requiore me to by a HomeSeer hardware controller to be able to use soenthign like HomeSeer

Regards

Mark

 

[mark_anderson_us]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm now confused. From what I've read (and I've read a ton: most of which is way out of date), I understood I don't need to have something like a Pro-100 controller (@$2K). My understanding is that you can upload scenes, etc. to the Insteon devices (don't recall what they are all called), but the ISY-99's are much better and are pretty much inexpensive "controllers".

I work in IT and I'm in no way interested in having a separate PC that has to be on and run a software app for everything to work. As far as I understand this would requiore me to by a HomeSeer hardware controller to be able to use soenthign like HomeSeer

Regards

Mark

One thing I forgot to ask. For UPB and Z-wave, what specific products would people recommend?

 

[Rupp]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm now confused. From what I've read (and I've read a ton: most of which is way out of date), I understood I don't need to have something like a Pro-100 controller (@$2K). My understanding is that you can upload scenes, etc. to the Insteon devices (don't recall what they are all called), but the ISY-99's are much better and are pretty much inexpensive "controllers".

I work in IT and I'm in no way interested in having a separate PC that has to be on and run a software app for everything to work. As far as I understand this would requiore me to by a HomeSeer hardware controller to be able to use something like HomeSeer

Regards

Mark

HomeSeer software runs on any PC. HomeSeer also sells the "PC" part in the form of a controller that has no moving parts ie the Pro-100 or the HomeTroller if you want something smaller than a PC and uses a ton less power.

You can use something like an ISY but hardware controllers are very limited in automation expandability.

 

[Rupp]

One thing I forgot to ask. For UPB and Z-wave, what specific products would people recommend?

It depends on what you are desiring to accomplish. UPB has great light switches, Z-Wave has great locks, motion sensors, water detectors, humidity and temp sensors, etc. The beauty of using HomeSeer on your PC is that it can run UPB, Z-Wave, X10, Insteon, etc all together at the same time.

 

[oberkc]

Requirements (in priority):
MUST be DIY installable (in a finished house, so no major wiring) and user-programmable
MUST not require a computer to operate (OK for setup), but don;t want to spend $1,000+ on a controller (may do later)
MUST be bi-directional communications (e.g. not X10)
Remote access/control from Web/iPhone/iPad

Garage door control/monitoring (with assocaited lights)
Lighting control (scenes and part of an activity on my Logitech harmony (IR)
Possibly security system
Possibly HVAC/Thermostat
Possibly irrigation
Possibly shade/window control

I've read a lot over the last few weeks and I decided a good pilot project will be the garage door and some lighting with a budget of about $500 (give or take)

I use insteon and the ISY-99. I believe this would meet all of those stated needs. Given that the ISY is about $350 or so, I doubt that this can be in your initial startup system. Still, if you choose to go with insteon, check out the garagehawk. This, with the addition of an insteon switch, may be enough to get your garage door monitoring/control system started for less than $500 and give you the growth path you desire.

I agree, however, with Rupp....the ability to operate many different protocols is a great advantage. I would like this. Let me also put a plug in for insteon... I tend to like the insteon toggle switches and keypads from a functional and aesthetic perspective.

 

[Neurorad]

Does the Sonos system require a PC as a source? You could prob use a low-power fanless PC, if that's the case.

 

[Fiasco]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm now confused. From what I've read (and I've read a ton: most of which is way out of date), I understood I don't need to have something like a Pro-100 controller (@$2K). My understanding is that you can upload scenes, etc. to the Insteon devices (don't recall what they are all called), but the ISY-99's are much better and are pretty much inexpensive "controllers".

I work in IT and I'm in no way interested in having a separate PC that has to be on and run a software app for everything to work. As far as I understand this would requiore me to by a HomeSeer hardware controller to be able to use soenthign like HomeSeer

Regards

Mark

you already have a media center pc, why not use that as a controller? EventGhost is free and being an IT guy you will have no problem setting it up.

If you want to buy a hardware controller or software base controller like homeseer or cqc later you're not going to be out an initial investment using eventghost and the pc you already have running media center.

 

[psaini]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies. I'm now confused. From what I've read (and I've read a ton: most of which is way out of date), I understood I don't need to have something like a Pro-100 controller (@$2K). My understanding is that you can upload scenes, etc. to the Insteon devices (don't recall what they are all called), but the ISY-99's are much better and are pretty much inexpensive "controllers".

I work in IT and I'm in no way interested in having a separate PC that has to be on and run a software app for everything to work. As far as I understand this would requiore me to by a HomeSeer hardware controller to be able to use soenthign like HomeSeer

Regards

Mark

you already have a media center pc, why not use that as a controller? EventGhost is free and being an IT guy you will have no problem setting it up.

If you want to buy a hardware controller or software base controller like homeseer or cqc later you're not going to be out an initial investment using eventghost and the pc you already have running media center.

does eventghost let you control any types of devices(x10 zwave, insteon or UPB) like homeseer??

Thanks

 

[JonW]

does eventghost let you control any types of devices(x10 zwave, insteon or UPB) like homeseer??

Thanks

Try here: http://www.eventghost.org/

 

[Xpendable]

Still, if you choose to go with insteon, check out the garagehawk. This, with the addition of an insteon switch, may be enough to get your garage door monitoring/control system started for less than $500 and give you the growth path you desire.

Forget the garagehawk... just get this kit:
http://www.smarthome.com/74551/I-O-Linc-IN...atus-Kit/p.aspx

It's cheaper and it's easy to setup. Combine this with a keypadLinc and you have a winning combo.