Home Automation Info

Reviewed by HAI Staff

Overall Rating: 5.8 out of 10

Home Automation Product Features

The RCS TZ16 ZWave Thermostat provides local and remote control of any thermostat function. This system responds to ZWave commands that enable complete control of the HVAC system. When used with a whole-house control system (e.g. HomeSeer software), you can configure desired actions (i.e. turn on a ceiling fan, open or close dampers, etc.) when certain temperatures are reached. Yet with its Wall Display Unit (WDU) this system offers complete, manual control that you have with ordinary thermostats.

The ZWave Thermostat consists of three parts. The wall display unit functions as a traditional thermostat and connects to the HVAC control unit by a four-wire cable. The control unit connects at the HVAC system using the standard thermostat connections and provides the temperature control of the system. The adapter bridge provides connection to your home's Z-Wave network. The ZWave Thermostat maintains separate heating and cooling set points; the LCD display shows the set point of the current operating mode.

In addition to the universal standard or heat pump HVAC systems support, the ZWave Thermostat has multistage heating/cooling system outputs. The control unit can support two stages of heating and cooling for standard systems or three stages of heating and two stages of cooling for heat pump systems.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Ease of Installation

Installing the TZ16 ZWave Thermostat is more involved than just replacing your existing wall-mounted thermostat. The TZ16 control unit must be mounted in a locaton where convenient access to the thermostat wiring is available, and a power outlet is within reach. In an existing home the thermostat wiring is cut at the control unit mounting location. Each side of the thermostat wire is then connected inside the control unit per the installation instructions.

In addition the control unit must also be connected to the ZWave Thermostat Adapter via a 4-wire serial connection. This system also allows one remote temperature sensor to be connected to the WDU for temperature averaging with the WDU internal sensor. The remote sensor is also connected to the WDU via a separate 4-wire thermostat cable.

For a "do-it-yourself" install you must have a good understanding of HVAC systems and thermostat wiring to successfully complete the installation of all three components of this system. Many will want to rely on a HVAC professional to install this system.

Rating: 5.0 out of 10

Home Automation Product Reliability

ZWave devices have been available since 2005. Being a relatively new technology, ZWave products do not have a long track record to judge long term reliability. The reliability of the ZWave control signals is improved with each additional ZWave device installed in your home, as each device receives and transmits all ZWave signals. You'll want to install the ZWave adapter for this system within 50 feet of the closest other ZWave device in your home or the primary ZWave controller. This product comes with a 1 year warranty.

Rating: 6.0 out of 10