Well, I did too and now I’m all setup. Let me share with you the steps I took and what worked best for me.

SmartHome

Automation

The word automation is used to refer to a method of using automatic means to control a process so as to lessen the amount of human interference. This technology has become very popular in the manufacturing business where robots with a complicated built are used during the manufacture of laptops, mobiles, cars and many more such products. The use of automation system has made the manufacturing industry more efficient as lesser work force is required in the business.

At your house, home automation serves a similar purpose, which is to free you from all the hassles of managing everything. All homes possess some kind of technology, often an assortment of technologies. There are the lights, the heating system, the security system and many more. With the use of the home automation system you can enhance the existing equipments by automating them so that you can communicate with them without actually being near them to regulating them manually.

The System

The home automation system works by breaking the existing equipments in the house into four categories of purpose that they serve. The first category includes lighting control. This helps you to turn the lights on and of remotely. They prove to be quite helpful for conserving energy. The next category involves home security. They integrate range of security mechanisms to protect you from intruders by not letting them enter your premises and alerting you before hand. The third category involves climate control. They play a crucial role in maintaining the temperature of the room automatically and also conserves energy by switching the system off when there is no one at home. The last category involves the automatic regulation of home entertainment. You can manage your music system and your television with the use of remote. You even have the option to create new settings where you can combine all these categories into one. For example you can have a party button which when switched on will dim the lights, pulls
down the blinds and plays your favorite music.

Signals

The functioning of all home automation system is based on relaying of signals. There are many techniques of performing this like Z-Wave (wireless), X10 and UPB (wired signals) and Insteon (wired and wireless combination). These systems also incorporate some system so that you can control the signals. Highly developed systems have central controls so that the user can control any part of the system. Technologies are also available so that you can control your system by phone or the computer or over the internet.

According to home automation gurus, Z-Wave ranks among the best because it caters to many high-priority issues, notably reliability and security.

- Reliability

Z-Wave is extremely reliable and well supported due to its wireless mesh networking system. Upon sending a command to a receiver, devices acknowledge reception of the message, and if the transmitter does not receive the confirmation, the message is sent again.

In case of a second failure (say, because of interference), the intelligent system looks for other transmission alternatives by routing the command to the intended receiver using other nodes. The message is then relayed to another Z-Wave device found within a 40-meter radius of the transmitter.

Not only does the mesh network work to perfection, but it also ensures full coverage of large spaces, without requiring bridging devices.

- Two-way communication

Two-way communication allows controllers and software to sense whether lights are on, off, or dimmed within the network. This gives you the ultimate control over your home; after all, nothing is more convenient than having everything automated from one central control panel.

- Limited interference

While powerline signal strength decreases as you add more devices to the network, wireless mesh networks work in the opposite way – and, in fact, the more devices installed in the network, the stronger the signal strength becomes.

The system also avoids command collisions and interference, as the nodes make sure that there is no ongoing messaging traffic within the network before they start transmitting data.

- Wide range

Z-Wave uses the 900 MHz range for better performance, as it contains less traffic in comparison to the 2.4 GHz band. The 900 MHz range allows signals to be stronger and transmit through longer distances with more power.

The maximum operational range between two devices is approximately 45 meters (150 feet) indoors, and over 150 meters (500 feet) outdoors. All devices, except those that are battery-operated, act as repeaters, transmitting messages from node to node until it reaches its final destination. Therefore, if switches are too far apart to communicate directly, you can fill in the gaps with compatible electrical receptacles or plug-in modules.

- Complex commands

While UPB and X10 are mainly limited to lighting products – and are produced by few manufacturers – Z-Wave products are wide-ranging and diverse.

They’re manufactured by numerous major companies, thus covering applications related to lighting, window coverings, touch screens, alarms, motion detectors, universal remote controls and numerous other home control management platforms and software.

Cons of Z-Wave

All of the above sounds brilliant, but it’s important to bear in mind that there still is room for development. As with many other sophisticated products, the of Z-Wave technology remains comparatively high, and there are a few other nagging issues.

- Cost

Z-Wave works smoothly and is easily installed, but one can’t deny that it sits on the pricier side of the spectrum. Z-Wave products are more expensive; depending on features and wattage, switches can typically cost between $40 and $90 or more.

Generally, a typical homeowner could outfit a house with a basic Z-Wave system for around $600-650, which is around triple the cost of an X10 (link: 14_X10 pros and cons) system. Many consumers, however, feel that Z-Wave’s speed, reliability, flexibility and range of applications are worth the extra expense.

- Network controller

You’ll need at least one controller to govern your Z-system, which can make installation slightly tedious, as you have to “introduce” each new device by entering a key sequence on the controller, and syncing the network by pressing a button.

On removing a device from the system, it is also important that you do so following a specific removal process, instead of simply unplugging or removing it.

- Proprietary