Exploring Hubitat: A Newbie's Journey and Tips

I’ve been diving into the world of home automation with Hubitat, and it’s been an incredible journey! :star2: After lurking for a while, I finally took the plunge and purchased Hubitat, which is now on sale. It’s been a fantastic choice for moving away from Wi-Fi items to Z-Wave/Zigbee devices. I currently have Lutron switches, Alexa, a Ring doorbell, and some Wi-Fi outlets. The switch to Z-Wave/Zigbee has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and products!

One of the first things I explored was adding Z-Wave outlets, locks, water sensors, and door/window sensors. It’s amazing how many different products from various companies are supported. I’ve been wondering, though—are all these products created equal? Are there preferred companies or products, or does each one stand on its own merit? I’d love to hear others’ experiences, especially with Prime Day just around the corner. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! :pray:

In my setup, I’ve found that Z-Wave Plus devices have been reliable and offer great value without compromising on quality. I’ve also been experimenting with creating automations, like turning on lights at sunset and ensuring they turn off at a specific time. It’s been a learning curve, but the satisfaction of a well-functioning system is worth it!

If you’re considering Hubitat or Z-Wave/Zigbee devices, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Let’s share tips, tricks, and maybe even some challenges we’ve overcome together! :speech_balloon::sparkles: