Z-Wave FAQ

Z-Wave is a wireless technology that fits inside normal household items such as light switches, wall plugs, door locks and thermostats that allows you to communicate with them. You can also use controlling hubs to make these devices "Smart" by having these devices react to things like energy consumption, dynamic sunrise/sunset times, when you arrive or leave for work and so much more. Z-Wave doesn't just give your home the "COOL" factor but also helps you to minimize your carbon footprint.  

There are many ways to use Z-Wave but we recommend getting started with a Z-Wave Hub like VeraEdge, SmartThings, or Zipato (these hubs are called Z-Wave Home Automation Controllers). Think of these hubs similar to your WIFI router making a hotspot for all of your devices. All of your Z-Wave devices create a mesh network around these hubs, AKA Controllers. These hubs allow you to communicate to your devices via phones, tablets, computers, remotes and more. These hubs do all the thinking, allowing for normal day to day tasks like locking doors to become automated. Check out some Hubs Here

For the everyday homeowner, most Z-Wave products are easily installed. Depending on what products you plan to use, it may be recommended to hire an electrician. For basic to advanced "how to's" you can look at our Learn Z-Wave Section.

Z-Wave creates a Mesh network where each device receives and relays a message to a further device. Device-to-device connection is anywhere from 50-300 feet depending on building materials. Hypothetically Z-Wave works up to 300 feet. In our findings 50-100 is a safe range to work within.  Z-Wave can do the device-to-device hop up to 4 times. Conservatively this is 200 feet but we have ways of making this infinite in our advanced section of the site. When Z-Wave creates its mesh network it’s smart enough to work around obstacles that could possibly get in the way.

Per each Z-Wave network you can have up to 233 devices. Now this only takes into account for Z-Wave devices - not WIFI/IP devices like Sonos, Nest, Drop Cams, ect. But again we have a way of making it infinite in our advanced section.