Which outlet should I buy?

[jmed999]

Hey Guys!

 

I’m putting in a hot water recirculation line under my house (in the crawlspace) in South Carolina. I’m looking for an outlet for the pump that I can control with the ISY. Since no other home automation device will be in the crawlspace it will need to have good range and I’m not sure if Insteon or Z-wave is better range wise especially with the latest ISY update. I have lots of dual band Insteon devices and 1 Z-wave Kwikset lock that works great, but none in the crawlspace. I plan to add more Z-wave devices soon.

 

A couple outlets I’m thinking about…

 

http://www.smarthome.com/75514/Aeotec-DSC24xxx-ZWUS-Smart-Switch-Z-Wave-Appliance-Module/p.aspx

http://www.smarthome.com/59488/GE-45604-Z-Wave-Wireless-Lighting-Control-Outdoor-Module/p.aspx

http://www.smarthome.com/2634-222/INSTEON-On-Off-Outdoor-Module/p.aspx

http://www.smarthome.com/2635-222/INSTEON-On-Off-Module/p.aspx

 

It doesn't have to be one of those 4. Which outlet do you recommend?

 

Thanks for your help!

[gatchel]

Crawlspace...Is it moist under there?

 

I would use the Outdoor Z-wave (GE 45604) device for two reasons.

 

1. It's hardened for environments that are "not indoors"

 

2. It's not an Insteon device.

 

Edit:

What is the distance from your ISY to the crawlspace area? If it is close to the range limit you might want to have another z-wave device in between to help with the signal. If you plan on adding more z-wave it will only benefit you in the future.

[jmed999]

My crawlspace isn't conditioned so the humidity does get high at times.

 

My ISY is probably 80 feet away from the location of this outlet. The ISY is on the 2nd floor and the outlet is in the crawlspace so a few walls between the two in that 70 feet. I have dual band Insteon devices right above this outlet on the 1st floor. I will for sure be leaning toward Z-wave devices in the future though.

 

If I had several Z-wave and Insteon devices like I will soon which would be better for this application range wise...a Z-wave or Insteon outlet?

 

Thanks!

[gatchel]

Insteon will probably be the best option right now since insteon uses wireless and powerline to communicate.

 

But, as I said, I would begin my Z-wave build out now. That way when you want to add more devices you will already have other devices to act as repeaters if needed. Just my $0.02.

 

Insteon wireless devices do nothing for z-wave range.

 

Since Z-wave is still technically in beta, and if you are looking for a better chance of having perfect results, then go with insteon.

 

Z-wave would be more of an investment right now.

[jmed999]

Thanks!

 

Generally speaking which has the best range and less communication issues (zwave or insteon)?

[gatchel]

Thanks!

 

Generally speaking which has the best range and less communication issues (zwave or insteon)?

 

Without actual facts in front of me, I can only say I have had good luck with both technologies when they are implemented properly as far as range is concerned.

[Xathros]

In terms of RF performance only, my impression is that ZWave has better range performance than Insteon. Insteon has the benefit of power line communications to distribute a message to more distant dual band devices which will then retransmit via RF. ZWave relies on RF only and neighboring nodes within RF range to pass on a message.

 

As for the outlet, it sounds like Insteon would be the better choice for you based on your current situation. I would recommend the Outdoor Appliance Module. I have two of these in operation that have been quite reliable so far. Both are a little over a year old.

 

http://www.smarthome.com/2634-222/INSTEON-On-Off-Outdoor-Module/p.aspx

 

-Xathros

[jmed999]

Since Z-wave doesn't have powerline communications would it be less susceptible to interference and signal sucking?

 

Thanks!

[Xathros]

Since Z-wave doesn't have powerline communications would it be less susceptible to interference and signal sucking?

 

Thanks!

 

It would be less prone to powerline issues however being an RF only device, it is susceptible to RF interference. With few to no ZWave neighbors to build up the mesh, I think ZWave would be less reliable in your situation.

 

-Xathros

[jmed999]

Thanks! Time to build the mesh ☺