We show you how to connect your Z-Wave Home Automation network to your mailbox to receive SMS Txt message notifications when your mailbox is opened.   Combining a Fibaro Door and Window sensor along with an external magnetic contact switch allows us to wire up our traditional mailbox and make it an IOT “Smart” Mailbox.  Learn how to add Z-Wave smarts to your mailbox with our simple “how-to”

We have another Z-wave DIY for remote control heating.   This how-to will be useful to those that heat there homes via pellet stoves and want to connect a Z-Wave thermostat.  Take a peek at our Z-Wave How-To and see how easy it is to connect a Z-Wave controlled thermostat to a Harman P38+ Pellet stove.

We review the Aeon Z-Wave enabled power strip called the Smart Strip.  Using the Aeon Z-Wave enabled Smart Strip in your home gives you a single z-wave device with 4 separate z-wave switches to independently control and monitor energy on each of the four outlets.  Using the Aeon Smart Strip in your Z-Wave network allows you to turn off all four outlets with a master z-wave switch, or setup scenes and timers to independently control each of the outlets.   Read our review and see we love the Aeotec Smart Strip

Earlier this week Amazon announced two new additions to the Amazon Echo family, the Tap and Dot (Shown left to right in the image)

If you use your Amazon Echo to control your Z-Wave network like I do you’ll be happy to know these new options help you extend the echo voice control.

The Amazon Echo Dot has the same advanced microphone array but cuts out the big speaker – you bring your own or use a bluetooth speaker.    The Amazon Tap is Amazon’s own portable Bluetooth speaker, but with some Echo options.  It doesn’t listen all the time, you have to tap the microphone as ask – hence the name. The Amazon Echo Dot isn’t easy to get  – to get your hands one you must be an Amazon Prime member and use an echo or other voice enabled Amazon device or app to order it.

The Amazon Tap on the other hand can be ordered directly at Amazon and is available to everyone. The Amazon Echo Dot is $89.99 and the Tap is $129.99.   We are excited to check these out and integrate them into our Z-Wave home!

Just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping!    Give the gift of Z-Wave with our list of 12 devices that will enhance your Z-Wave Home Automation Network.   We love our Z-Wave network and we’ve selected 12 Z-Wave devices that we would love to see under our tree during the holidays. Come check out the list and give the gift of Z-Wave this holiday season!