Home Automation Button Controllers Posts

Did you know that your Alarm Grid Security System most likely has smart home automation capabilities? While keeping your home or business safe with trusted monitoring service is the main function of an alarm system, the world of home automation is easily accessible and very exciting.

As a quick recap for anyone who may not be familiar with automation or the concept of a "smart home", it refers mostly to two (2) somewhat related ideas.

1) Being able to control devices remotely (aka, while you are away from the premises).

2) Being able to have devices activate automatically based on a schedule and/or predetermined events, with no action required on your part.

These devices that we speak of are collectively referred to as "smart devices". There are all sorts of smart devices that you can integrate into your automation network. Some examples include:

• Smart Lights - Illumination devices that you can control remotely and turn ON or OFF automatically. These come in many forms, including light bulbs, in-wall switches, plug-in modules, and even wall outlets. Smart lights are perfect for making it appear as though someone is present while away or on vacation.
• Smart Door Locks - Access control devices that you can operate remotely and LOCK or UNLOCK a door automatically. These are typically deadbolt devices that prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to your home or business. In addition to remote operation, these devices can also be automated based on a schedule or the condition of other devices in your home.
• Smart Thermostats - Temperature control devices that you can be adjusted locally or remotely and INCREASE or DECREASE the temperature. The operation of these devices can also be automated based on a schedule or event. These wire in directly with the HVAC system in your home or business. The setup is surprisingly simple, and it can be easily completed by a DIY user.
• Smart Water Valves - Water shut-off switches that you can trigger locally or remotely. If you CLOSE the valve, then the flow of water will be stopped. If you OPEN the valve, then the flow of water will proceed when a faucet is activated. Smart water valves can be very important if the building is prone to flooding or water damage. These devices can be automated based on the activation of a flood sensor.

Now that you know a little more about smart devices, you're probably wondering how to get started. The first thing that we advise doing is selecting a smart protocol to build around. This refers to the type of wireless communication that the individual smart devices will use to speak with the centralized hub.

The smart hub, also known as the controller, is the single most important piece of equipment in any smart home. All of your individual smart devices will communicate their status with this centralized hub. And when you go to control your devices remotely, all incoming commands will pass through the hub before ultimately being forwarded to the individual device. Without the smart hub, home automation is impossible.

When you select a smart hub, you are also selecting the wireless protocol for your network. All of the individual smart devices in your network must use that same wireless protocol to communicate successfully with the main hub. As a result, your smart hub determines which devices can (and cannot) join the network.

A great aspect of most security systems sold by Alarm Grid is that they can double as smart hubs for your automation devices. The panels that we sell support the Z-Wave wireless communication protocol. Virtually any Z-Wave device can be enrolled with an alarm system that supports Z-Wave communication.

Once you have a Z-Wave device enrolled with your system, a few things become possible:

1) Operate your programmed Z-Wave devices on the main system display. This is the same place where you arm and disarm your system.

2) Control your programmed Z-Wave devices remotely using the same platform you use for controlling your system, namely, Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0. This requires monitoring service.

3) Build complete smart scenes, in which multiple Z-Wave devices are controlled simultaneously. This is done through either Alarm.com or Total Connect 2.0. Again, alarm monitoring service is required.

While all of this certainly sounds exciting, we understand that it may seem a little daunting at first. If you are already an Alarm Grid monitored customer, then there's a good chance that your system is already capable of serving as a central hub for your Z-Wave network.

The following systems readily support Z-Wave communication, with no add-ons being required:

• Honeywell Lyric Alarm System
• Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus
• Original Qolsys IQ Panel 2
• 2GIG Security Systems

Additionally, the following panels can be upgraded to support Z-Wave communication:

• Honeywell VISTA Systems
• Honeywell LYNX Touch Systems
• Interlogix Alarm Systems
• Any panel that supports an Alarm.com SEM

Of course, there are other options besides Z-Wave for home automation. If you are an iOS user, then you might consider getting a security panel that can support the robust and powerful Apple HomeKit automation platform. The Honeywell Lyric is a great option for this. You can learn more about HomeKit in this prior post.

Another option for lighting control is the Lutron devices that use their own communications protocol. Lutron is known for their tight integration with Alarm.com, and they certainly make for a great starting point if you are looking to establish a smart lighting setup. More info on using Lutron with Alarm.com can be found here.

Alarm Grid is about more than just security. We can help you establish the perfect automation network for your home or business. Getting started with smart home automation is easy, and it's a fantastic way to get the most out of your security system. Whether you go with Z-Wave, Apple HomeKit, Lutron, or use a combo setup, we will be there to help you every step of the way.

If you aren't already monitored by Alarm Grid, now is a great time to get started. Smart home automation is included with all of our Silver, Gold, and Platinum Level Plans. This post will tell you all about our monitoring plans so that you can make an informed decision. Alarm Grid monitored customers are provided with free technical support online and over the phone. This includes helping you create the perfect smart home.

The best way for an Alarm Grid monitored customer to get help with all of their smart home questions is to email support@alarmgrid.com or call (888) 818-7728. Our support technicians will be happy to help you in building your smart home network. Remember that our business hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F, so make sure to plan accordingly. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Alarm Grid is very happy to announce that the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 is now available for purchase from our website. This device serves as the central hub for a Lutron Smart Lighting setup. It offers a brand-new integration with Alarm.com for added flexibility and control.

It's funny, we were just talking about Lutron the other day and how great their lighting products are. We didn't know that just a few days later we would be talking about the exciting Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2. This hub supports all of the same great integrations and features as the original Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge. These integrations include Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Nest, Sonos Sound, and more.

But the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 adds the ability to integrate your Lutron Lights with Alarm.com. This is huge news for anyone with an Alarm.com Security System. Now you can control your Lutron devices and your security system from the super convenient Alarm.com App. You can even include your Lutron Lights with smart scenes for automatic operation based on a schedule or with certain system events!

If you are not familiar with Lutron Lights, then prepare to have your life brightened! These smart lights offer a multitude of great features that help them outshine similar products. By using the free-to-download Lutron App, you can create smart schedules to have your lights turn ON and OFF at set times of the day.

The Lutron App also supports Geofencing features to have your lights respond based on the location of your smartphone. This is great if you want to have your lights turn ON automatically when you arrive home, or shut OFF when you leave for the day. There is also a cool feature called "Smart Away" that will have your lights turn ON and OFF at random times during the evening to make it look like you are home. This is perfect for when you are traveling.

Remember, you will need a monitoring plan that includes Alarm.com if you want to integrate your Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 with that platform. For Alarm Grid customers, this includes any Gold or Platinum Level Plan. More information about our monitoring services is available on our alarm monitoring page.

The Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 is compatible with all of the existing Lutron Caseta devices that were already sold on our site. We have all the resources you need to create complete smart lighting network based around Lutron. If you have any questions about Lutron or the new Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2, please reach out to us by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! Today, we would like to talk about Lutron Smart Lights and explain why they are a great choice for establishing a smart lighting setup. These smart lights offer many nice features, including integrations with Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. We think you will love these lights!

When talking about smart lights, we often point customers to Z-Wave lights first, due to their easy integrations with Alarm.com and Total Connect 2.0. But if you don't have access to ADC or TC2, then you might choose a different smart network to build around. For smart lighting, Lutron represents one of the best options available. The Lutron Caseta lineup is perfect for DIY installers, and the products offer some great features and functions.

Anyone interested in Lutron should first become familiar with the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge. This is the central hub that makes the setup possible. All of your Lutron devices will pair with this controller. And whenever you use a smart assistant (e.g. Siri, HomeKit, Alexa, etc.) to control your Lutron Lights, the command will first pass through the smart bridge.

The Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge is very easy to set up. Just connect it to your router using the included ethernet cable. Then pair your smartphone with the bridge using the Lutron App. You will then be able to control connected Lutron devices from anywhere. One Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge can support up to 50 Lutron devices. You will have no problem decking out your home with Lutron Smart Lights!

The fun part comes once you have your smart bridge. You can then start choosing individual Lutron devices to use in your home. There are plenty of devices to choose from. We have some of our favorites listed below:

• Lutron Caseta In-Wall Neutral Smart Switch - An in-wall light switch that lets you add smart control to your existing hardwired lights. You can turn them ON and OFF from anywhere!
• Lutron Caseta Wireless In-Wall Dimmer - An in-wall dimmer that lets you add smart control to your existing hardwired lights. You can turn them ON and OFF and adjust their brightness from anywhere! Note that the light bulbs must support dimming.
• Lutron Caseta In-Wall Smart Dimmer for ELV+ - Same as above, but for use with electronic low voltage (ELV) lighting loads.
• Lutron Caseta Lamp Dimmer - Lets you provide smart control for two (2) connected lamps. Plugs into any standard wall outlet.
• Lutron Caseta Pico Remote - A handy remote that lets you control your lights on-site. You can have it loose, or mount it to the wall. There is also an audio Pico Remote for controlling an integrated Sonos Sound System!

There are also lots of kits that include bundled Lutron items. We won't list them all here, but please check out our Lutron Smart Home Page to see them! Lutron even offers a variety of decorative wallplates to go with your Lutron In-Wall Switches. Look for the Lutron Claro Wallplates for more information!

Remember, Lutron is great for pairing with a variety of different platforms including Apple HomeKit and Siri, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Nest, and Sonos Sound. It is also excellent for Resideo Lyric System users who use the system with Apple HomeKit, as it gives the user a single robust platform for controlling the system and their lights. Just remember that the Lyric must be running firmware update MR7 or higher to do this.

If you have any questions about Lutron, please reach out to us. The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We look forward to hearing from you and answering all your questions about Lutron!