Yale YRD256 w/ iM1 Module Posts

The Alarm Grid holiday buying guide for the 2020 season continues, this time focusing on smart home automation. We will be covering our top picks for lights, door locks, and thermostats. As usual, our selections are compatible with our top security system picks for the 2020 shopping season.

If you haven't seen our earlier 2020 holiday buying guide releases, make sure to review them at some point. They will provide you with a good introduction before checking out our smart home automation offerings.

• Alarm Grid Holiday Buying Guide 2020 for Alarm Panels
• Alarm Grid Holiday Buying Guide 2020 for Security Sensors
• Alarm Grid Holiday Buying Guide 2020 for Environmental Sensors

An automation device is a piece of equipment that you can have activate automatically based on a set schedule. These devices can also be controlled remotely from virtually anywhere in the world using a platform like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com and a simple app on your smartphone. When we talk about automation devices for alarm systems, we are mainly discussing lights that can be turned ON or OFF, dimmer modules that can adjust the brightness of lights, door locks that can be LOCKED or UNLOCKED, and thermostats that can increase or decrease the set temperature in the building when connected with an HVAC system. There are also some miscellaneous automation devices, including smart water valves, that we will also explore. Depending on the platform, you can also integrate these devices with smart home voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. We won't be exploring that too much in this buying guide, but it is something to keep in mind if you already have a smart home assistant set up in your house, or if you were considering setting one up in the near future.

To keep our automation section as simple as possible, we will be primarily looking at Z-WAVE PLUS automation devices. This refers mostly to 500-Series Z-Wave Plus devices, though you may occasionally see some newer 700-Series Z-Wave Plus devices thrown in as well. Using certified Z-Wave Plus devices with a Z-Wave Plus controller will ensure the furthest possible wireless range, as well as the longest possible battery life, when applicable. Using exclusively Z-Wave Plus devices on a Z-Wave Plus controller is also the best way to ensure the strongest possible mesh network. Another advantage to going with Z-Wave Plus is that your automation devices will pair directly with your alarm system, which will thereby serve as your central automation controller. This keeps things as simple and as organized as possible, and it will ultimately allow you to keep everything in the same app on your phone.

However, we will also be including a few Apple HomeKit products along the way. We understand that we have many customers who use iOS and are building around the HomeKit platform for automation. When looking at our top security system picks, only the Honeywell Lyric is compatible with Apple HomeKit. This is out recommended system if you are building around the HomeKit platform. If you are starting from scratch and you are not a dedicated iOS user, then you will likely prefer Z-Wave Plus, as you can keep all your system control and automation control in the same app, with virtually no crossover. But, if you have taken advantage of what Apple HomeKit has to offer, and you want to continue building around the platform, then we have you covered. Remember, of our top system picks, only the Lyric can support HomeKit, and even then, your HomeKit devices will not pair directly with the Lyric.

Of our top security system picks for the 2020 holiday buying season, both the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the 2GIG GC3e support Z-Wave Plus technology. Both of those systems have their own integrated Z-Wave Plus controller, and they will allow you to take full advantage of what Z-Wave Plus has to offer. However, our other top pick, the Honeywell Lyric only has a classic Z-Wave controller built-in. You can still enroll Z-Wave Plus devices with the Lyric, but they won't offer the same range, battery life, and security provisions as Z-Wave Plus. This makes the Lyric the weak link of the three if automation outside of Apple HomeKit is particularly important to you. But rest assured that every product listed here should work with any of our recommended systems. Its just that you will get the best possible results by using a Z-Wave Plus compatible system, like the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus or 2GIG GC3e.

With all of that out of the way, let's begin exploring our favorite smart home automation devices of the 2020 holiday season.

Smart Lights

Smart lights can be split into a few different categories. They are usually either in-wall modules that replace your existing, standard light switches, or they are plug-in module that you simply plug into a regular wall outlet. Lights can also be split into groups of ON/OFF switches that merely turn the lights ON and OFF, and groups of dimmer modules that can actually adjust the brightness of the lights. As such, you will see four (4) groups of lights listed below. There are in-wall switches, in-wall dimmers, plug-in switches, and plug-in dimmers. We know that may seem a bit confusing, but it should make more sense once you see all of the categories properly laid out and organized. Spoiler, if you're looking for Apple HomeKit Lights, then skip to the very end of this section.

We will start with Z-Wave Plus in-wall switches. These devices replace existing in-wall switches, and they are able to turn the lights ON and OFF. When installing one, make sure to cut power at the circuit breaker first. Then simply remove the existing in-wall switch, and install your new Z-Wave Plus in-wall switch in its place. Keep in mind that most of these units will require the use of a neutral wire. Most homes built in the 1980s onward will have this readily available, though older homes may be lacking this wire. It's also important to mention that all of the in-wall switches listed here should readily fit into single gang brackets. We will also be listing coordinating 3-way switches in the notes section when applicable.

Here are our top picks for Z-Wave Plus in-wall switches.

Next up are Z-Wave Plus in-wall dimmers. These units also replace your existing in-wall switches. The difference here is that these devices have the ability to adjust the brightness of your lights, in addition to simply turning them ON and OFF. You will want to make sure you are using these devices with dimmable light bulbs. Again, you will want to cut power at the circuit breaker when installing. Most of these units will require a neutral wire, though there is an exception here. You should be able to fit these units into a single-gang electrical bracket.

Here are our top picks for Z-Wave Plus in-wall dimmers.

Now we will look at some more DIY-friendly options, starting with Z-Wave Plus plug-in switches. Unlike in-wall switches that you have to install using a screwdriver, these devices simply plug into your standard wall outlet. Just plug one in, connect a lamp, and you now have smart lighting control. These units couldn't be more straightforward and simple to use, and if you're intimidated by having to install your own in-wall light switch, then these are a fantastic alternative. Again, these units are only capable of turning the lights ON and OFF. You can also technically use some of these units with other plug-in devices, provided that the connected device does not exceed the maximum load limit.

Here are our top picks for Z-Wave Plus plug-in switches.

Our penultimate category of smart lights focuses on Z-Wave Plus plug-in dimmers. As you can probably guess, these are plug-in modules, but instead of just turning the lamp ON and OFF, you can also adjust its brightness. The use of dimmable bulbs is recommended. Again, this is an excellent DIY alternative if you don't feel comfortable installing your own in-wall dimmer switch. Just plug it in, connect a dimmable lamp, and enjoy your new smart lights!

Here are our top picks for Z-Wave Plus plug-in dimmers.

Lastly, we want to give special recognition to Apple HomeKit compatible smart lights. We're keeping things simple by only listing products from Lutron. These lights work by building around a centralized base station and then pairing lighting modules with that main unit. Our team at Alarm Grid is wholly impressed by what Lutron has to offer, and we can definitely recommend these lights for anyone building around the HomeKit platform. One other major benefit of Lutron Smart Lights is that no neutral wire is required as part of the setup. This can be very beneficial if you do not have a neutral wire in your home's existing electrical wiring. Please note that Alarm Grid only offers the Caseta lineup from Lutron, so that is what we will be focusing on in this buying guide.

The Lutron section of this guide will be split into four (4) categories. First we will look at the smart bridges, or central hubs, that we offer for Lutron. Then we will explore some bundled deals we offer as starter kits. From there, we will check out individual Lutron lighting devices. Lastly, we will examine some accessories for Lutron devices.

First up, we have the Lutron Smart Bridges. There are only two (2) here. You need one of these devices to start building a network of Lutron Smart Lights. You will notice a standard "non-Pro" model, as well as "Pro 2" model. The main difference here is that the "Pro 2" model can integrate with Alarm.com, while the "non-Pro" model cannot. This is completely irrelevant if you are building a HomeKit network around the Honeywell Lyric, as you will be using Total Connect 2.0 as your interactive smart platform instead of Alarm.com. But if you are using HomeKit separately with an IQ Panel 2 Plus, a 2GIG GC3e, or pretty much any other Alarm.com Security System, then this can really come in handy, as you can then integrate your smart lights in with the same network as your alarm system.

Here are our Lutron Smart Bridges.

But before you rush out and buy one of the aforementioned Lutron Smart Bridges, you may instead consider getting one of our Lutron Starter Kits, which all include a Lutron Smart Bridge and some compatible devices to get you started. This can save you a bit of money if you are just getting started with Lutron. Unfortunately, we only have starter kits based around the "Non-Pro" smart bridge. If you are wanting the "Pro 2" model for Alarm.com use, then you will need to buy that model ala carte, along with all the devices you want to pair.

Let's check out our Lutron Starter Kits.

Now we'll look at the actual Lutron Lighting Components. These are the individual, ala carte lighting devices that you pair with your Lutron Smart Bridge. The included notes should help you decide which devices are right for your Lutron network. Lutron keeps things relatively simple here, as the selection is short but sweet.

Here are individual Lutron Lighting Components.

Last but not least, we have some Lutron Accessories. These include the Pico Remote that you can use a remote control for your Lutron Lights, as well as various wall-plates and some bundles. There are quite a few accessories to cover, and they make the perfect stocking stuffer for the Lutron lover on your gift list.

Here are Lutron Accessories.

Door Locks

Door locks are fairly straight forward. They replace the existing deadbolt lock on your front door, back door, patio door, pool door, garage door, or really any door with a deadbolt lock. You will then have smart control over that door, meaning you can LOCK and UNLOCK it remotely using a compatible interactive service platform. This also includes the ability to have the door LOCK or UNLOCK automatically with smart scenes. Most of the locks listed here will allow you to use a traditional key if you want, but you can also manually enter a code into the lock using push-buttons or a touchscreen. This can be very convenient for getting in if you forget your key or don't wish to carry one around.

Virtually any door lock will accomplish the same goal, so what you should base your buying decision on is how reliable the brand is, how you control the door lock locally (e.g. a push-button touchpad or a LED touchscreen), and which design you like. You will also need to decide whether you need a Z-Wave Plus door lock or an Apple HomeKit door lock. Most of the models listed here are Z-Wave Plus variants, but we did include a couple of HomeKit versions for good measure. Many of the door locks listed here come in multiple finishing options to give you some added customization. You will notice that we do not list too many brands here. We really wanted to focus on the ones we feel the most confident in offering.

Here are our top picks for door locks.

Smart Thermostats

Now we're really getting into exciting territory, as smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature in your home from virtually anywhere! This is perfect whether you want to keep energy costs low, or you simply want to ensure you arrive home to a comfy house. We all know how stressful it can be if you forgot to adjust your thermostat before leaving home. Well, now you can worry no longer! All you need to do to get started is cut the power at the breaker for your HVAC system, remove your old thermostat, and install your new smart thermostat in its place. This is easier than you might think! For this category, we will mostly be covering Z-Wave Plus thermostats, but we did include an Apple HomeKit thermostat in the listings as well.

Here are our top picks for smart thermostats.

Other Smart Home Devices

Alright, we're finishing this up with some great smart home devices that we couldn't really fit into any other category. Our main focus here will be on smart garage door controllers and smart water valves. These are super convenient and useful devices that make a great addition to almost any home. A smart garage door controller connects with your existing garage door motor so that you can open and close your garage door from anywhere or have it open and close automatically with smart scenes. Smart water valves are an excellent emergency tool that you can use to shut-off your water supply in the event of a flood or leak. Many users will pair them with flood sensors for inclusion in smart scenes. Unfortunately for Apple HomeKit users, we don't have any HomeKit devices for this section, and we will only be covering Z-Wave variants in this section.

Check out these miscellaneous smart home devices!

Reach Out to Us!

Got any questions about which smart home devices are right for you, or are you not sure about compatibility? Reach out to us! Our team is happy to help you make your holiday shopping season as easy and as stress-free as possible. The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We check our email from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. And as always, we look forward to hearing from you!

It is now less than one week until Christmas, and the clock is ticking! If you are looking for some last minute gifts that will work in any home, then you're in luck! We have some awesome smart home stocking stuffers that are sure to be a big hit! Let's check out these gift ideas!

SkyBell Video Doorbell Camera

There are so many things to love about the SkyBell Video DoorBell Camera. It is crucial that you monitor the front of your home, especially with the recent trend of porch pirates stealing packages right off of doorsteps. The SkyBell is a high-quality 1080p video doorbell that you can use in a number of different ways. You can get alerts right to your phone when someone moves in front of your door or if someone rings the SkyBell. You can also have a live conversation with whoever is in front of your door for added convenience.

You do not need a security system or a monitoring plan to take advantage of SkyBell. It's possible to do everything from the free SkyBell App. SkyBell even offers free seven (7) day cloud storage so that you can save and review captured clips. However, you can still integrate your SkyBell device with an interactive automation platform like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com if you would like. This is great if you use one of these platforms for alarm monitoring service and you want to have your monitoring platform provide you alerts and notifications for your video doorbell as well. Just be aware that you will need a special version of the SkyBell if you intend to use it with Alarm.com.

Yale YRD256 Z-Wave Keyless Touchscreen Lock

If you haven't already gotten involved in the Z-Wave door lock craze, then the Yale YRD256 could be your ticket. This is a beautiful touchscreen lock that doesn't use a key. You will feel like you've entered the future every time you go to unlock your door. And with three (3) beautiful finish options to choose from, this lock can't be beat! It can store up to 25 different user codes, and it is easily powered using four (4) AA Alkaline batteries. There is also a port for a 9VDC battery charge if you ever need to get in when the lock has dead batteries.

Yale Locks like the YRD256 are known for their ability to easily pair with a Z-Wave network. As long as you have a functional Z-Wave controller, you will be able to pair a Yale YRD256 Z-Wave Lock. This controller can be any sort of hub, such as Samsung SmartThings, Vera, Wink 2, or even your alarm panel. Using your security system as a hub is great, as you will be able to take full advantage of an interactive platform like TC2 or ADC. You just need a monitoring plan that offers automation. Or if you prefer Apple HomeKit over Z-Wave, then you can get the HomeKit Version of the YRD256 instead. Just note that the HomeKit model is not compatible with Z-Wave communication.

Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting

Many users have praised Lutron Lighting Devices for their great versatility and simplicity. You don't need any existing hardware to get started with Lutron Lighting. You just need to get a Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge and enroll your compatible Lutron Caseta devices. There are all sorts of devices in the Lutron Caseta lineup, including an in-wall neutral switch, an in-wall dimmer, a plug-in lamp module, and more. There are also various starter kits that include a bridge and some Lutron lighting devices. For example, our most complete starter kit is the Lutron Caseta Dual In-Wall Dimmer Kit.

Lutron is compatible with a diverse selection of smart platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google home, and IFTTT. And again, you don't need any special monitoring service plan to get started with Lutron. But you can still integrate Lutron devices in with your monitoring platform if you want to. Total Connect 2.0 users can do so using the IFTTT integration. And if you have Alarm.com, then you will want to make sure to get the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2, instead of the standard model linked above. You need a Lutron Caseta PRO Bridge if you want to integrate with Alarm.com!

Ask Us Questions!

Need help finding the perfect stocking stuffer for the tech lover in your family? You can always reach out to us for help! We can provide even further assistance if you let us know which security system is being used. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. You are also welcome to call us at (888) 818- 7728.

Remember that our support hours run from 9am to 8pm ET M-F. Please also note our holiday hours. We will be closed Christmas Eve (December 24th), Christmas Day (December 25th), and New Year's Day (January 1st). Also, we will be closing at 6pm ET on New Year's Eve (December 31st). We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! Today, we want to discuss some of our favorite smart locks from the likes of Kwikset, Yale and August. There are many great reasons to add a smart lock to your home, and we are sure that you will love the convenience they offer. They are great for Alarm Grid monitored customers.

Smart locks represent a great addition to nearly any home or business. These devices typically enroll with a central hub, such as a Z-Wave controller or into your Apple HomeKit network. You will then be able to control the lock through an app on the Android or iOS smartphone. This is great if you ever want to let someone inside while you are away and then make sure the door is locked after they leave.

Z-Wave locks are particularly useful because you can access them through the Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com service that you use with your security system. These services will also provide you with text and/or email alerts whenever your lock is used. And iOS users always appreciate HomeKit compatibility. They find it highly convenient to be able to control their smart locks through Siri voice commands.

Alarm Grid has been putting out some FAQs to help you get started with various Z-Wave locks. We encourage you to check out some of the FAQs listed below:

• How Do I Include My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Exclude My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Factory Default My Yale Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Include My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Exclude My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Factory Default My August Smart Lock Pro?
• How Do I Include My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Exclude My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?
• How Do I Factory Default My Kwikset Z-Wave Lock?

Of course, you can buy some excellent Z-Wave locks from Yale, August and Kwikset on our site. Let's take a look at some of our favorites from each of the three companies:

Yale

We actually got a first-hand look at many of the Yale Locks at ISC West 2019. Our team was highly impressed with these locks, and we think any of them would make for a great addition to your home. The Yale Assure Locks were particularly exciting for their added reliability, touchscreen control and Z-Wave Plus functionality. These include the Yale YRD226, Yale YRD246 and Yale YRD256 models. The YRD256 receives special recognition for having both a HomeKit Version and a Z-Wave Plus Version available from Alarm Grid.

Alarm Grid has been particularly impressed with the ease-of-use and overall reliability offered from the Yale Locks. They are available in a multitude of designs and styles so that you can find the lock that fits your home. Whether you choose a HomeKit model or a Z-Wave Plus model, we are sure that you will be extremely pleased with the performance and reliability when controlled remotely.

August

August and Yale are actually both manufactured by the same company, Assa Abloy. The name of the game here is the August Smart Lock Pro. This is one of the best and most versatile locks in the industry, and we cannot recommend it enough. The biggest selling point of the August Smart Lock Pro is that it can utilize Z-Wave Plus technology and connectivity with Apple HomeKit at the same time. Usually, a lock is restricted between one or the other. But that is not the case here.

The round design helps the August Smart Lock Pro stand out from other smart locks. It is sleek and smooth, and an LED light helps the user with setup. The entire process is completed through the August Home App to make setup and installation as easy as possible. Users looking for something different with some great advanced features can't go wrong here.

If you want to use Apple HomeKit with the August Smart Lock Pro, then the August Connect WIFI Bridge must be obtained as well. Alarm Grid actually sells the August Smart Lock Pro and the August Connect Bridge in one convenient package. They can also be purchased separately. The Smart Lock Pro can also communicate with your phone wirelessly through a Bluetooth connection. This is great for automatic unlocking when you arrive home. And users will certainly appreciate the integrations with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, AirBnB and HomeAway.

Kwikset

Not to be outdone, Kwikset offers their own smart locks that we have shown tremendous success in our personal testing. These are simple, yet effective locks that each feature their own timeless design. They use Z-Wave Plus technology for easy pairing with your wireless home security system. You can then control the lock from the panel or through a convenient app like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com. You can even receive notifications from TC2 or ADC whenever the lock is used.

The two Kwikset Locks that stand out the most for us are the Kwikset SmartCode 888 (shown above) and the Kwikset Obsidian. The Kwikset SmartCode 888 is an affordable option for users who want all the great features and functions of a reliable smart lock. It offers a touch-button keypad, with backlit keys for easy operation at nighttime. Meanwhile, the Kwikset Obsidian offers a sleek and futuristic touchscreen keypad for entering codes. The device uses advanced SecureScreen technology to prevent intruders from figuring out codes based on fingerprints. It also offers 128-bit AES encryption for added security.

All of the locks mentioned above are available for purchase from Alarm Grid now. If you need help deciding on a lock, please reach out to us by sending an email to support@alarmgrid.com. We will check the email at our earliest convenience and respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you find the perfect Z-Wave or HomeKit lock for your ever-growing and evolving smart home!

The Alarm Grid content team had the opportunity to visit the Assa Abloy booth at ISC West 2019. Assa Abloy owns both August and Yale, and we were able to check out some of the latest models. These residential smart locks would certainly make for great additions to almost any home.

Smart locks offer tremendous convenience, as you can operate them through simple keypad rather than having to use a manual key. They can also be controlled remotely using platforms like Apple HomeKit, Total Connect 2.0 and Alarm.com. This is made possible using wireless protocols like WIFI and Z-Wave. You are certainly missing out if you haven't added a smart lock to your home yet!

Assa Abloy confirmed that all their locks that use Z-Wave technology will be certified Z-Wave Plus. This makes them perfect for controlling through the interactive service platform that you use with your security system. Meanwhile, their WIFI models will be compatible with the Apple HomeKit platform. This is great news for iOS users, as they will surely enjoy the convenience of being able to control their lock from anywhere using their phone!

Assa Abloy had many locks on display. We're just going to focus on the ones that we feel would make a great addition to any smart home. A major highlight was the Yale YRD256 Assure Lock, which is available in both Z-Wave and HomeKit variants. The lock allows users to create up to 250 unique four to eight digit codes, and it also features auto re-lock, privacy mode and tamper alarms. It has a voice-guided setup menu, making it very easy to perform a DIY installation. The device comes in three finish options, which include Polished Brass, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Satin Nickel.

Other notable locks included the Yale B1L YRD110 Lock with Z-Wave, the Yale Assure Lever Touchscreen Lock and the August Smart Lock Pro. The Smart Lock Pro is particularly interesting, as it utilizes both Z-Wave and WIFI (requires Yale Connect WIFI Bridge) for remote access. The device can interface with many smart assistants, including Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Integrations with AirBnB, HomeAway and Nest are also available. Easy installation is made possible with help from the August Home App. The lock is available in silver and dark grey finishes. Note that the model on the top in the third picture below is the Smart Lock Pro version.

Assa Abloy also used ISC West as an opportunity to unveil their upcoming August View Video Doorbell. It offers 1440p resolution and captures clips in a 4:3 ratio. The live feed and recorded clips can both be conveniently viewed from the August Home App. You can also zoom in when watching the video to really focus on a particular section of the footage. The device also uses IR technology for night vision, and it supports two-way voice conversation through the August Home App.

Many great August and Yale Locks are already available for purchase from Alarm Grid, including some mentioned in this post. Our offerings include:

• August Smart Lock Pro
• August Connect WIFI Bridge
• August Smart Lock Pro w/ Connect Bridge Bundle
• Yale YRD216 Z-Wave Lock
• Yale YRD226 Z-Wave Lock
• Yale YRD246 Z-Wave Lock
• Yale YRD 256 Lock - HomeKit Version
• Yale YRD 256 Lock - Z-Wave Version

We gotta say it was a great ISC West 2019 for Assa Abloy. We're really excited about their August and Yale Locks, and we hope you are too! Remember to stick to our blog for the latest updates from ISC West 2019.