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Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is home automation?

Home automation involves using technology to automate and control various systems and devices in your home, such as lighting, heating, security, and entertainment. It allows you to manage these systems remotely, often through a smartphone app or voice commands, for increased convenience, comfort, and energy efficiency.

The Home automation controller device will determine what wireless technology and devices you can use.

How does home automation work?

Home automation systems typically rely on a central hub or controller that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This hub communicates with various smart devices, such as smart lights, thermostats, and security cameras, allowing you to control them from a central interface. Many systems also incorporate sensors that detect motion, temperature, or other environmental factors to trigger automated actions.

What is the difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave?

Both are wireless communication protocols for smart homes, but they use different frequencies and have different strengths. Zigbee is generally known for lower power consumption and faster response times, while Z-Wave often has better range and a more robust mesh network.

It is great practice for any home automation network to mix and match Zigbee and Z-Wave devices – even adding a few Thread and matter devices as well. What is great about having both, Zigbee and Z-Wave will never interfere with each other as their wireless frequencies are far apart from each other.

What is Matter?

Matter is a new standard in smart home technology designed to simplify things for users and increase compatibility between different devices. Think of it as a universal language that all your smart devices can speak, regardless of their brand or the ecosystem they belong to (like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit).

Can I use Aeotec devices with other hubs besides SmartThings?

Yes, Aeotec devices are generally compatible with most certified hubs. However, some advanced features may only be available with specific hubs or require custom integration. Each hub will have a variety of differences, some hubs have more advanced features against other hubs.

How can I extend my Z-Wave network?

In Z-Wave you can use products like Range Extender 7, Smart Switch 7, or any Z-Wave device that is a plugin or in-wall wired device (ie. Nano Switch or illumino Switch).

Remember, you can have maximum four Z-Wave repeaters between the hub and the final device at the edge of your network.

How can I extend my Zigbee network?

For Zigbee you can use products like Range Extender Zi or any other powered Zigbee 3.0 devices, usually you’ll need to look for a description that the Zigbee device is a routing device in a products device description. The great thing about Zigbee is that you can have as many Routers in your Zigbee network which you can greatly extend range to reach the furthest distances in large homes.

I have a large home, is one hub enough?

In some large homes, one hub is enough to cover the full range as long as you appropriately add enough routing/repeating devices on both Z-Wave and Zigbee. But ultimately this depends on what technologies you plan on using and where you are placing devices.

My home automation devices are unresponsive or only works sometimes. What are some troubleshooting steps?

Check for any physical obstructions affecting the signal. Often times environment in a home will play a huge role in how far a device can communicate from. You’ll want to avoid objects/walls with metal, glass, brick, cement materials as these are some of the biggest wireless hindrances.

I'm having trouble connecting my devices to my hub. What should I try first?

Make sure the device is in pairing mode (refer to the manual) and is within a reasonable range of your hub (ideally within 30 feet for initial pairing, or even as close as 10 feet). Try power-cycling both the device and the hub (remove power for 6 minutes, then power them back up). If the problem persists, try factory resetting the device before you attempt to pair the device again.

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