Can a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Do Home Automation w/o Monitoring?

Yes, a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 can do home automation without monitoring. The IQ2 has a Z-Wave Plus controller for operating home automation devices. Even without monitoring, Z-Wave devices can be controlled from the panel itself. But you need access to Alarm.com to create and execute scenes.

Home automation refers to the practice of creating a "Smart Home", in which devices can be set to activate automatically or with certain events. This practice can make a person's life more convenient, and it can help them conserve energy and save money. With the IQ Panel 2, this is done primarily using Z-Wave devices. Some common types of Z-Wave devices include lights, locks and thermostats.

The way that Z-Wave devices work is that they are set up with a Z-Wave controller, which in this case is the IQ Panel 2. If the system is connected with Alarm.com for monitoring service, then the user can set customized scenes for the Z-Wave devices to have them activate automatically. For instance, a user might set a Z-Wave scene to lower the temperature on their thermostat, lock their doors and turn off their lights at 11pm when they normally go to bed. Another Z-Wave scene might lock the user's doors and turn off their thermostat when they set their system to arm away.

When the IQ Panel 2 is not monitored, the automation options available will be very limited. Customized scenes cannot be performed on an unmonitored IQ Panel 2 System. If operation of the device can be automated, there will be an "Automation" option that can be selected once the device has been paired with the panel, which will allow for a limited selection of automation options. This can be seen in the picture below.

After selecting the "Automation" button, you will be presented with several options. The options displayed may depend on what type of device was added. This example shows the options provided when a light was added:

All available local automation programming options are explained below:

• Night - Turns light on at 7:00 pm and off at 6:00 am each day.
• Evening - Turns light on at 7:00 pm and off at 11:00 pm.
• Front Door - Turns light on for 15 minutes when the Front Door opens. This requires that a sensor be programmed with the default quick name "Front Door".
• Doorbell - Turns the light on for 15 minutes when the Doorbell is activated. This will only occur after 7:00 pm, and requires that a sensor be programmed with the default quick name "Doorbell".

Additionally, the IQ Panel 2 has a Local Automation mode that can be enabled/disabled using the system's Dealer Code (default 2222). If this mode is enabled, the following events will occur:

• All locks will be LOCKED at night.
• All thermostats will be set to AUTO mode with target temperatures from 65°F to 78°F at night.
• The first programmed light will be turned ON at night.
• All lights will be turned OFF in the morning.

Please note that night is defined as after 7pm, while morning is defined as after 6am. This feature is intended for use in model homes, or for other panels being used for demonstration purposes.

Most IQ Panel 2 users perform Z-Wave control for their system using the Alarm.com service. However, this is not possible without an alarm monitoring plan. Alarm.com allows users to create Z-Wave scenes and control programmed Z-Wave devices. Alarm.com also offers a mobile app that allows users to perform these actions remotely from anywhere. But without monitoring service, there is no way to perform home automation functions from an off-site location. If a Qolsys IQ Panel 2 is unmonitored, it can only provide local Z-Wave control.

Users should also remember that monitoring service is very important for any alarm system. When a system is left unmonitored, it serves as nothing more than a local sounder. While this can be useful if a user is on-site all the time, an off-site user will have no way of knowing about an alarm on their system. Also, it will be impossible to receive automatic police, medical or fire dispatch in the event of an alarm. Make sure to check out our monitoring page for more information about the plans we offer.