Technology Posts

Hi DIYers! We have a quick video recap today, with four (4) new videos this week. Three videos featuring Jorge were uploaded on Thursday, September 19th. Another featuring Joe was uploaded a day later. We hope these videos help you out. Let's take a look at the newest videos from Alarm Grid!

Finding the Installer Code on a VISTA-21iP

Jorge explains what to do if you do not know the Installer Code on a Honeywell VISTA System. You use the command [Installer Code] + [800] to enter programming. If you do not know the code, then you should first try the default code of 4112. If that doesn't work, then you might try to get in using the backdoor method. If the backdoor method fails, then you should try asking the previous monitoring company or system owner for the Installer Code.

Setting Up TC 2.0 on a Phone

Jorge shows you how to set up Total Connect 2.0 on a phone. The Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App is available for Android and iOS devices. You can get it for free from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Once you have the app, you can login using your Total Connect 2.0 account, just like you would from the website. If you don't have access to Total Connect 2.0, then you might want to check out one of our monitoring plans to get access. Remember, TC2 is for Honeywell Panels only.

Linking a Honeywell Lyric Alarm System to HomeKit

Jorge explains the process for linking a Honeywell Lyric with Apple HomeKit. This will let you use the system with the rest of your HomeKit network. You can also get notifications regarding system activity, and you can control your system using Siri voice commands from your iPhone. For best results, you will want to have a proper HomeKit Hub established. You will also want to continue to use Total Connect 2.0 alongside HomeKit, as TC2 will provide more detailed alerts for the Lyric System than HomeKit.

Programming the 5800COMBO to a VISTA Panel

Joe teaches you how to enroll a Honeywell 5800COMBO with a Honeywell VISTA Panel. In order to use this wireless 345 MHz sensor from the Honeywell 5800 Series, you must add a wireless receiver to the system. This combination sensor will provide the smoke & heat detection, carbon monoxide detection, and freeze detection. Each function will require its own wireless zone on the system. You can also program a additional zones for maintenance detection and end of product life detection.

Hi DIYers! We are happy to announce that we have some new wellness sensors available from Alarm.com. These are great for use with elderly or mobility challenged loved ones. There is an Alarm.com Bed Sensor and an Alarm.com Chair Sensor available on our website. Both operate at 319.5 MHz.

Having peace of mind in knowing that your elderly or mobility challenged loved one is alright can be very important. That is why Alarm.com created these new wellness sensors. They both work in a similar manner. The bed sensor will let you know when your loved one gets in and out of bed. The chair sensor will let you know when they sit down and get up from their usual chair. Both will activate upon sensing 50+ pounds of weight.

These wellness sensors are known as "occupancy sensors". We don't talk about these sensors fairly often, but they are relatively easy to understand. When your loved one is sitting down or in bed, the sensor will be in an "occupied" state. And when the bed or chair is empty, the sensor will enter a "vacant" state. Your system will announce whenever there is a change in status for the sensor.

But the real beauty in these sensors comes in their ability to be used with the Alarm.com platform. You can get text and/or email alerts regarding any sensor activity. It is also possible to configure notifications so that you only get alerts during certain times of day. This way you can set a schedule based around your loved one's usual activity.

The bed sensor is quite useful when paired with the "Sensor Left Open" notification. You might set up a notification to be sent if your loved one is out of bed for more than an hour. And you can also set a time frame so that notifications are only sent during periods when they are almost certainly in bed, say between midnight and 6am. That way, if your loved one gets out of bed in the middle of the night and suffers a fall and is unable to make it back, you will get an alert.

Even better is the new Alarm.com Wellness Platform that allows for even more detailed notifications. You might set up alerts to be sent if your loved one never gets out of bed in the morning, or if they have remained seated for an unusually long period of time. We hope to show-off the feature in greater detail sometime soon. For now, just be aware that it is available upon request for Alarm.com users. Remember, Alarm Grid customers need a Gold Plan or higher to use ADC.

At this time, we are only offering 319.5 MHz versions of the bed and chair sensors. You will need a compatible 319.5 MHz system to use them. Examples include the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus w/ 319.5 MHz Daughtercard and the Interlogix Simon Alarm Panels. For the IQ2, we recommend using Sensor Group 25 - Local Safety Sensor and an Occupancy Sensor Type. For an Interlogix Panel, you should use either Sensor Group 40 (chime) or 27 (no chime).

We expect other wireless frequencies to be available sometime in the near future. We will let you know once we have them available. If you have any questions about these new sensors or the new Alarm.com Wellness Platform, please reach out to us! The best way to contact us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We will check your email at our earliest convenience and reply back as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! Today, we wanted to talk about how you can use Lutron Caseta on Alarm.com. This is a great way to have your Alarm.com Security System and your smart lights on one convenient platform. Controlling the devices in your home has never been this simple, and getting started is easy!

As you may know, the Alarm.com integration for Lutron was made possible with the release of the PRO-model for the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge. At this time, Alarm Grid offers the Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 for integrating Lutron Lights with Alarm.com. You might also know the Smart Bridge PRO 2 as the Lutron L-BDGPRO2-WH. Both names refer to the same device. With it, you can integrate all you Lutron accessories with Alarm.com.

The Lutron Caseta Smart Bridge PRO 2 serves as the central hub for your Lutron Smart Lighting setup. All your Lutron devices will communicate with this hub. This includes any Lamp Dimmer Modules, In-Wall Switches, In-Wall Dimmers, and Pico Remotes. Setup is extremely straightforward. Just connect the smart bridge to your IP router using an ethernet cable. Then pair your Lutron devices using the Lutron Mobile App. You can pair up to 50 Lutron devices.

Being able to control your Lutron Smart Lights with Alarm.com offers many advantages. For one, you can use the Alarm.com App for virtually all of your home automation control. This will allow you to control your lights from pretty much anywhere. You can also include all your Lutron Lighting devices into Alarm.com for automation operation. For example, you might have your lights turn on whenever you disarm your security system or unlock your Z-Wave door lock.

One other aspect we want to mention is the fact that both Alarm.com and Lutron are compatible with Sonos. If you didn't know, Sonos is highly respected in the smart audio community, and they have been making some outstanding sound systems and speakers throughout the years. Your can integrate your Sonos setup with Alarm.com to have music play automatically based on scenes. Lutron even offers a special audio Pico Remote specifically for use with Lutron!

Remember that you will need an alarm monitoring plan that includes access to Alarm.com to get started using the platform. Alarm Grid customers can choose from one of our Gold or Platinum Plans. More information is available on our monitoring page. From there, we will be happy to help you get started using Lutron Caseta on Alarm.com. If you have any questions, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hi DIYers! We have been talking about the IQ Panel 2 Plus a lot lately. First we revealed the new Firmware Version 2.4.0 upgrade. Then we took an in-depth look at the new firmware. Today, we're going to examine the new Control4 Integration available for the IQ2 on Firmware 2.4.0 or higher.

By using the Control4 Integration, you can control basic security functions for your Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System from your Control4 Touchscreen. This includes arming and disarming from the C4 System. In other words, your Control4 System will become somewhat of a secondary keypad for your IQ Panel 2 Plus System. Meanwhile, you can still use your IQ2 as a primary Z-Wave Controller and have full functionality with Alarm.com. How cool!

The C4 Integration will work with any Qolsys IQ Panel 2 or IQ Panel 2 Plus that is running Firmware Version 2.4.0 or higher. To get started, you will want to download the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Driver to your Control4 System running OS Version 2.6.0 or higher. The driver can be found within the C4 Driver Database. From there, make sure your IQ Panel 2 and your Control4 System are on the same WIFI network.

Next, turn your attention to your IQ Panel 2 System. From the main screen, click the small grey bar at the top. Choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter Dealer Code (default 2222) > Installation > Devices > WIFI Devices > 3rd Party Connections > enable Remote Device Access > OK. The panel will then reboot to apply the changes. Return back to the 3rd Party Connections Menu, and click on "Reveal Secure Token". Then apply the token at your C4 System to pair. Remember, you must use the Dealer Code (default 2222) to access this setting. It will not be displayed when using the Installer Code (default 1111).

As this integration is still very new, it is somewhat limited at the moment. Right now, we can only confirm that the integration allows for system arming/disarming from the C4 Panel. It's possible that new features and functions may be released in due time. Still, this is quite a nice integration for anyone with an IQ Panel 2 and a C4 Home Automation setup.

If you have any questions about this integration, please reach out to us. We offer free online and phone support for Alarm Grid monitored customers. The best way to reach us is by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We will check your email as soon as we can and reply back promptly. If you prefer to call us, you can reach us at (888) 818-7728 during our usual business hours of 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We look forward to helping you with the new Qolsys Control4 Integration!

Hi DIYers! We made a post last week that briefly discussed Firmware Version 2.4.0 for the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 and IQ Panel 2 Plus. We want to take a closer look at some of the great new features offered from this latest firmware update. Now is certainly a great time to get an IQ Panel 2 Plus!

Panel Scene Control

New with Firmware Version 2.4.0 is the ability to activate Alarm.com Smart Scenes directly from the IQ Panel 2. Previously, this could only be done from the Alarm.com website or mobile app. This is much more convenient than having to control each Z-Wave device and the system individually. You can also control scenes from the IQ Remote Keypad if you have one.

To get started, you will first need to have at least one smart scene created on your Alarm.com account. Remember, you can create smart scenes from the Alarm.com website or mobile app. When making the scene, make sure to include all of the relevant devices. This can include Z-Wave devices programmed with the system, as well as the system itself.

You must also enable the feature for the panel. This can be done at the panel itself. Start from the main screen of the panel, and click the small grey bar at the top. Choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter Installer Code (default 1111) > Installation > Installer Settings > Check the box next to Scenes Support (you'll need to scroll down). Then return to the main screen by clicking the home button at the bottom.

You will now be able to run Alarm.com Smart Scenes from the panel itself. From the main screen, click the Scene Control button in the bottom-left corner:

Then choose the scene you want to run. We made a scene called "Test Scene", which locks a Z-Wave Lock, sets our Z-Wave Thermostat to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and sets the system to Arm Stay. We can confirm that the new panel scene feature works perfectly!

IQ Remote Camera Streaming

One new feature we are sure that many users are sure to be excited about is the ability to live-stream Alarm.com Cameras from the IQ Remote Touchscreen Keypad. We have previously discussed the ability to live-stream compatible ADC Cameras from the panel itself. But now you can do it from the IQ Remote. This is great for anyone with a surveillance camera setup who uses the IQ Remote as a secondary keypad for the system.

The same restrictions for streaming from an IQ Panel 2 apply when streaming from an IQ Remote. This means that only Alarm.com Cameras that support the panel streaming feature can be streamed from the IQ Remote. Additionally, it is only possible to stream video from the IQ Remote. You cannot stream audio like you can on the IQ Panel 2. For more information on setting up the camera streaming feature, please review this helpful FAQ. You must have the main panel streaming feature enabled to be able to stream from the IQ Remote.

You also have to enable panel streaming for the IQ Remote. You can do this from the main panel. Start from the main screen of the system. Click the small grey bar at the top. Choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter Installer Code (default 1111) > Installation > Installer Settings > Check the box next to Stream Live Video Cameras to IQ Remote. Then return to the home screen by pressing the picture of the house at the bottom.

You will then be able to access the same menu option from the IQ Remote that you use on the main panel to stream video. Just swipe left or right on the IQ Remote home screen until you reach the option to choose a camera. You will have to excuse our desk clutter, but the image looks just as good on the IQ Remote as it does on the IQ Panel 2. Quite awesome!

Wellness & Check In/Out Screens

This feature is pretty unique. You can have the main screen of the IQ Panel 2 serve as an Auxiliary Panic button for triggering a medical alarm. This also allows you to set up a Check In/Out function for the system. This is great for anyone with a business who may want to monitor when employees come and go. The panel will take a picture whenever a user checks in or out. You can also get text and/or email alerts regarding this activity from Alarm.com. It really goes to show that Qolsys is working hard to make the IQ Panel 2 Plus the premier security system for small businesses!

There are a few things to keep in mind when using this feature. First is that Check-In & Check-Out can only be enabled if the Wellness Page is enabled. Second, enabling Check-In & Check-Out feature will also enable Settings Photos from the panel camera. This is so that a picture can be taken when a user checks in or out. Finally, you cannot enable the Wellness Page if Partitions are enabled for the system.

Again, the feature must be enabled from the Installer Settings Menu. From the main screen of the system, press the small grey bar at the top. Choose Settings > Advanced Settings > enter Installer Code (default 1111) > Installation > Installer Settings > Check the box by Wellness Page > Check the box by Check-In / Check-Out. You can then return to the home screen by clicking the picture of the house at the bottom.

When you return to the main screen, you will notice that you are at the Wellness Menu. This is where you can trigger an Auxiliary Medical Panic on the system. To get to the usual Arming/Disarming screen, just swipe left once.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about Firmware Version 2.4.0 for the IQ Panel 2 Plus, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! Remember that we offer free online and phone support for our monitored customers. The best way to reach us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We will check your email as soon as possible and reply back at our earliest convenience. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours of 9am to 8pm EST. We look forward to hearing from you and telling you all about the IQ Panel 2 Plus System!

Hi DIYers! Welcome to another Alarm Grid Video Recap, this time covering videos published on September 5th & 6th. We have a big recap this time, with eight (8) new videos being published. Jarrett, Jorge, and Joe all make appearances. Let's get right into it and check out the new videos!

Finding the CRC on a Honeywell-Resideo Wireless Alarm System

Jarrett explains how to find the CRC code for a wireless Honeywell or Resideo System. The CRC code is a 4-digit code that is unique to the panel's IP communicator. Along with the 12-digit MAC address, the CRC code is very important when activating a system for alarm monitoring service. You should make sure to write the code down and save it in a safe place once you have obtained it. You may need this code again at a later time.

Explaining the 6F Message on an Alarm Keypad

Jorge talks about the "6F" message that can appear on a wired keypad for a Honeywell VISTA Alarm System. This code is actually "bF", which stands for "backup failure". The message indicates that there is a problem with the system's communicator. The "bF" message will only appear on a Fixed English Keypad, like a Honeywell 6150. An Alphanumeric Keypad like a Honeywell 6160 will instead display "Check 103, Long Rng Trbl", which means the same thing.

Arming-Disarming the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 From Your Phone

Jorge shows you how to arm and disarm a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System using your phone. This is done using the Alarm.com service. The Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus includes integrated LTE and WIFI communicators for connecting with Alarm.com. You just need to have the system activated with an alarm monitoring plan that includes access to the Alarm.com platform. You can then use the Alarm.com Mobile App on Android and iOS devices to arm and disarm remotely.

Replacing a Honeywell 1321 Transformer with a 1361 Transformer

Joe is back, and he answers the question of whether or not you can replace a Honeywell 1321 Transformer with a Honeywell 1361 Transformer. The answer is that you can always replace a 1321 with a 1361. However, you cannot always replace a 1361 with a 1321. This is because the 1361 supplies more power than the 1321. A setup that was using a Honeywell 1361 Transformer for power might not receive enough power from a 1321 Transformer used in its place.

Displaying the MAC ID On a Honeywell Wireless Alarm System

Jarrett teaches you how to find the MAC ID on a Honeywell Wireless Alarm System. This applies to any Honeywell Panel with an IP communicator. To find the MAC address, you will need to enter programming. This requires providing the Installer Code for the system. Remember that the default Installer Code on most Honeywell System is 4112. The MAC address and MAC CRC are found within the Comm Diagnostics Menu. Clicking on Communication ID Numbers will display the codes at the top of the screen.

Devices Used With a 2GIG XCVR2-345 Transceiver on a Go!Control GC2

Jorge talks about the 2GIG XCVR2-345 and the devices that are used with it. The 2GIG XCVR2-345 is an add-on accessory for the 2GIG GC2 System. This communicator is what allows the system to work with bi-directional devices. These are devices that must both send and receive signals with the GC2 System. Some of the devices that require the use of a 2GIG XCVR2-345 include the 2GIG Go!Bridge IP Communicator and the 2GIG TS1 Touchscreen Keypad.

Monitoring and Controlling the Temperature On a Honeywell L5210

Jorge explains how you can monitor and control the temperature using a Honeywell L5210 Security System. For this to work, you will need a Honeywell L5100-ZWAVE Card installed inside the system. This is a Z-Wave controller that allows the system to support Z-Wave smart home devices. From there, you can enroll a Z-Wave thermostat with the system. This will allow you to monitor and control the temperature for the building directly from a Honeywell L5210 Alarm Panel.

Programming the Alarm Monitoring Account Information on a Honeywell L5210

Jorge covers the process for programming the alarm monitoring account information on a Honeywell LYNX Touch System. This is an important step for setting up a system for alarm monitoring service. Completing this process will allow the system to communicate with the central station. Normally, an end user will only complete this process themselves if they are bringing the system over to a new monitoring company. This process only needs to be completed if the communicator has not been released by the old monitoring company.

Hi DIYers! It's time for another video recap. Our video team managed to put up five (5) new videos this time. We're sure they will help many people get the most out of their alarm systems. Hopefully you enjoy watching them as much as we enjoyed making them. Let's check out the newest videos!

Using a DSC PowerG Keypad With the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus

Joe explains how you can use a DSC PowerG Wireless Keypad with a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus System. The IQ2+ works with a PowerG Keypad because it accepts the necessary 915 MHz frequency. The compatible PowerG Keypad is a push-button device that makes for a good secondary keypad for an IQ Panel 2 Plus. The keypad can be used in a second location in the building, such as by a back door. If you want a touchscreen keypad for the IQ2+, then the IQ Remote is a great option.

Using the 5800COMBO With the Lyric Alarm System

Jorge teaches users how they can use a Honeywell 5800COMBO with a Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. The 5800COMBO offers smoke, heat, freeze and carbon monoxide detection all in one convenient device. The sensor can use up to five (5) zones on the Lyric System. Each zone will have a different Loop Number according to function. These functions include smoke & heat detection, freeze detection, CO detection, RF supervision, and end of product life. If there is a function you do not want to use with the sensor, then you can skip programming for that zone.

Getting Remote Access to a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus

Jorge tells users how they can get remote access to a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus Alarm System. This is done by getting the system monitored with service that includes access to Alarm.com. This is an interactive monitoring and automation platform that allows you to control your system remotely. By accessing Alarm.com through the mobile app on an Android or iOS device, you can arm and disarm the system, check its current status, control programmed Z-Wave devices, view the live feed for Alarm.com Cameras, and more.

5800C2W Support With the Lyric Alarm System

Jarrett explains how you can use a Honeywell 5800C2W with a Lyric System. This is a wired to wireless converter that lets you use hardwired sensors with the system. This is great if you are upgrading to the Lyric from a hardwired system. You can save a lot of money by not having to buy completely new sensors when your existing ones work just fine. You will typically want to have the 5800C2W in the same location as the old hardwired panel. This will make wiring as easy as possible. Mark the wires before switching them over!

Door Contacts - Overview

Jorge covers the basics for door contacts. These sensors let the system know when a door is opened. Most work in the exact same manner. There is a sensor, along with a smaller accompanying magnet. The sensor is placed of the door frame, while the magnet is placed on the moving part of the door. The sensor and magnet should be as close as possible when the door is closed. Alignment is also important. Opening the door will cause the magnet to separate from the sensor. This will let the sensor know to alert the system.

When thinking about home security, many people mistakenly believe that it is always an expensive endeavor. The truth is that the cost can range from extremely affordable to exceedingly pricey. Today, we're here to tell you that home security does not have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Setting up a home security system is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner or renter. Protecting your assets is extremely important, and you can even save money on your homeowner's insurance. And if you decide to move, you can either bring the system with you, or leave it at the property to increase your home's resell value.

How much you spend on home security truly depends upon your needs. While you can certainly spend a large sum of money monitoring your home, the reality is that you don't have to break the bank. At Alarm Grid, we offer monitoring plans for all budgets. Our self-monitoring plans start at just $10 per month, while our central station monitoring plans start at just $15 per month.

Keep in mind that you will needs a central station monitoring plan to receive a certificate of alarm (CoA) and save money on your homeowner's insurance premium. These savings can vary significantly, so make sure to check with your insurance company to find out how much you can save. Many homeowners find that monitoring an alarm system actually pays for itself due to the insurance savings!

The system you purchase also makes a big difference in your monthly monitoring costs. Many panels require you to upgrade to a cellular plan for monitoring service. Cellular monitoring has a higher monthly cost than IP-only monitoring, so make sure to keep this in mind. Although we always recommend using cellular for its superb reliability, we also understand that some users are comfortable with IP monitoring service.

If you do decide to go with IP-only monitoring, just make sure that the internet in your home is reliable. A downed internet connection will leave your home unmonitored and vulnerable. You will also want to get a panel that can be used with IP-only service. Nearly all of the Honeywell Panels we sell are suitable for this type of monitoring.

We recommend the Resideo Lyric Controller for IP-only monitoring. This system has a built-in WIFI card, so you won't need to get any add-ons to get the panel up and running.You can also easily add a cellular communicator if you decide to upgrade your service later on. We also sell some Lyric System Kits that include everything you need to get started with alarm monitoring service. There is a 3-1 kit for smaller homes, and a 10-1 kit for larger homes.

Also remember that you do not need to buy a system from Alarm Grid to receive our monitoring service. If you can find a system elsewhere for a lower price, then go for it. We do recommend contacting us before making the purchase to make sure it's a system we can monitor. Our security system planners will be glad to help you design your system from start to finish.

What else can you do to keep costs low? Well we definitely recommend going with a DIY, no-contract monitoring company like Alarm Grid. DIY means do-it-yourself. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by installing your security system yourself. While installing your own system might seem like a challenge, it really doesn't have to be. In fact, the Lyric Kits we mentioned before can technically be installed using nothing more than a screwdriver!

The other important thing is to make sure the security company you choose is no-contract. You can be left on the hook for huge amounts of money if you get stuck in a contract. And if there's ever an emergency and you need to suddenly cancel your service, you will be very glad that you chose a no-contract company. At Alarm Grid, you can easily discontinue your monitoring service at the end of your monthly payment cycle and then resume service when you are ready.

Also remember that Alarm Grid has no added fees. This means that you never pay extra to start or stop your service. What you see is exactly what you get. We do this to make our monitoring service as accessible to many people as possible. If you are intereste in learning more about what we offer, we encourage you to check out our monitoring page for more information.

You are also more than welcome to talk with us before you make your decision. We would love to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns. The best way to get a hold of us is to email support@alarmgrid.com. We will check your email at our earliest convenience and reply back as soon as possible. You may also call us at (888) 818-7728 during our regular business hours of 9am to 8pm EST. We look forward to hearing from you, and we hope to make you a valued member of the Alarm Grid family!

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 are very excited to talk about the all-new Z-Wave Plus lighting products from Resideo. These lights are very easy to use, and they will work with nearly any security system that supports Z-Wave. They will certainly make a great addition to any growing smart home.

Resideo (formerly Honeywell and Ademco) has been long-known for their alarm control panels, sensors, and thermostats. But they really haven't made much of a splash in terms of smart lighting equipment. But that should change with these brand-new lights. The lineup has everything you need to create a robust and capable lighting setup.

All of these products use Z-Wave Plus technology to communicate with a central hub. We strongly recommend making sure your Z-Wave controller is certified for Z-Wave Plus so that you get the maximum wireless signal range. Some systems that support Z-Wave Plus include the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus and the 2GIG GC3e. If you have monitoring service and access to Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com, then you can control your lights remotely and use them with smart scenes.

These devices are all super easy to program with your alarm system or other Z-Wave hub. When enrolling, you should always make sure to exclude the device from the network first. This will clear out any information and ensure that the device can be enrolled successfully. Then enroll the device by putting the controller into its inclusion mode and activating the inclusion function on the light. It should successfully pair with the network.

Now that you know a little bit about the lights in general, let's take a quick look at all of the new products individually:

• Resideo Z5SWITCH - An in-wall light switch that is used to control hardwired lights or a ceiling fan. Replaces the existing in-wall switch.
• Resideo Z5DIMMER - An in-wall dimmer switch that is used to control hardwired lights. The light bulbs must support dimming to be used in that manner. Replaces the existing in-wall switch.
• Resideo Z53WSWITCH - An in-wall 3-way switch that is used with the Z5SWITCH and Z5DIMMER. You can use multiple Z53SWITCH devices to achieve up to a 6-way lighting configuration. Please note that a traveler wire is required for use.
• Resideo Z5SWPID - A plug-in switch that is used for controlling a lamp or other connected device. It features a manual ON/OFF switch and a pass-through "non-Z-Wave" outlet.
• Resideo Z5DIMPID - A plug-in dimmer module that is used for controlling a lamp. The light bulbs must support dimming to be used in that manner. It features a manual ON/OFF switch and a pass-through "non-Z-Wave" outlet.
• Resideo Z5SWPIO - A plug-in switch that is suitable for outdoor use. Great for operating holiday lights or other outdoor lighting fixtures. It does not include a pass-through outlet.
• Resideo Z5OUTLET - An in-wall AC outlet that provides Z-Wave Plus control to the connected device. The bottom port uses Z-Wave Plus, while the top port is always active. Replaces an existing outlet.

All of these smart lighting products are available right now from Alarm Grid! They're great for anyone looking to create a new smart lighting network or expand upon an existing one. If you have any questions about these new Resideo Lights, please reach out to us by emailing support@alarmgrid.com. We look forward to hearing from you!