Going to try a new quick review format with the Fibaro Flood Sensor. Hopefully it works :). Quick device profile, note that the battery has 37% of life left after about 18 months of use. Add the video showing it in action:
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I’ve wondered about flood sensor placement before. As in – “what happens if I don’t put it in the right path?” The new HS-FS100-W addresses this issue with its [expandable] four foot detection cable. The family also includes a light sensor, which can be used to monitor indicator lights on equipment. If either are of interest, you can save $5 […]
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I had a chance to chat with Hubitat at CES a few weeks ago and was very impressed with their home automation controller. What impressed me more, was their approach and passion for doing things right. So I’m very interested in their new Elevation hub. It checks all the right boxes, with Z-Wave/Zigbee radios, and Amazon Alexa/Google Home integration. Best […]
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I’m not a fan of unnecessary Cloud dependencies in home automation tech. So when I started chatting with Hubitat about their home automation controller (HAC), and we started getting into the details I was thrilled to find out that their model is almost entirely Cloud free. Naturally there is a bit to handle connection brokering from locations outside the LAN […]
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LifeDoor was one of my top picks from CES 2018, so it’s is fantastic to see that this innovative – potentially life saving device – has made it to Kickstarter. The concept is simple: if there’s a fire, it closes the door for you. Blocking smoke and heat from the room. Like many people, I hate sleeping with the door […]
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It’s a great idea to add water/flood monitoring into your home automation system. It can make a huge difference between a bad thing, and a catastrophe. This $60 Z-Wave sensor from Aeotec looks pretty nice, and includes vibration and temperature sensors as well as watching for H20. Water Sensor 6. Flood sensor. Leak sensor. Safety sensor. Z-Wave sensor. Monitor a […]
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Adding keyless entry to your home is a great way to enable access without requiring anyone to carry around a physical key. Whether that is a dog walker, your kids, or when you step out for a run. Having the option to provide a PIN code also makes it much easier to manage distribution and removes the risk of a […]
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HomeSeer announced a couple new switches at CES 2018 with integrated RGB lights which can be used to indicated status for other elements in the control system. There is a $55 dimmer and a $50 toggle switch available, both support Z-Wave Plus, multi-tap, and S2 security. This isn’t a new concept in the home automation device market, but it is […]
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I wasn’t familiar with abode’s iota security system, home automation controller (HAC), and camera system before meeting them at CES. Overall the system looks quite approachable, and is obviously more intended for users who prioritize ease of installation and user experience (UX) over flexibility. I don’t mean that as a negative, per se. Just something that would need to be […]
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Installation cost is one of the major barriers to home automation. In addition to the cost of your switches, bulbs, etc. you also need to purchase a home automation controller (HAC) in most cases. The other major issue is complexity, which is where the development budget of large companies like Amazon and Google help immensely. They have the $ to […]
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