I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation, and I must say, it’s been an exciting journey! Recently, I decided to switch from Zigbee to Z-Wave after experiencing some reliability issues with Zigbee. The Hubitat Elevation C-5 has been a game-changer for me, offering seamless integration with my existing devices and a robust Z-Wave network. 
One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding cost-effective door/window sensors. After some research, I stumbled upon the Monoprice Z-Wave sensors, which have been performing exceptionally well. At around $20 each, they fit my budget perfectly, and the fact that they work seamlessly with Hubitat makes them a fantastic choice. 
I also wanted to share a tip for anyone looking to automate their lights. If you’re using outlets for lamps, consider pairing them with motion sensors or smart switches. It might seem a bit unconventional at first, but it opens up a world of possibilities for creating dynamic lighting scenarios. For example, I set up my kitchen lights to dim automatically when I’m not in the room, saving energy without sacrificing comfort. 
Another area I’ve been exploring is video retention. With my Wyze Cam V3, I’ve been impressed with the ability to review playback and save specific time frames for evidence. While the record button during playback works, I’m hoping for a more streamlined solution in the future to quickly capture and save clips without manual intervention. 
If you’re new to smart home automation, I highly recommend starting with a solid hub like Hubitat and gradually expanding your setup. The community support and wealth of resources available make it easier than ever to dive into this fascinating world. Happy automating! 