In this post, I discussed using the ZEN57 800LR 240v XS Relay to monitor a sump pump. The last couple of days, I tested the ZEN58–essentially the same device with different power supply requirements.
As an experiment, I tested several of the input switch variations, including toggle switch, momentary push-button, and the separate on/off report (dry contact switch/sensor) capability that spawns a separate Z-Wave on/off child device on your Z-Wave hub that reflects the state of whatever is connected to the input. Note that the input no longer controls the ZEN58 output relay in this configuration–in other words, it effectively makes the device work as two separate devices: one for input, one for output.
We live in a Net Zero home located in New England. It’s all electric, heavily insulated (ten-inch thick walls built as separate interior/exterior walls with non-heat conducting spacers, the cavity between packed with blown-in insulation), and have solar panels on the roof. We use a heat pump to cool or heat the house and all appliances are Energy Star rated. Our electric bill has been zero, save for a couple of months this past winter when snow covered the solar panels and we weren’t here to sweep them clean; those months were around $100 each for electricity.
One of the energy saving devices in this house is what’s called a Heat Recovery Ventilation system or HRV. The place is so air-tight, it is necessary to bring in fresh air from outdoors to keep the home from becoming “stale” or unhealthy. Air brought in from outdoors is passed through a heat exchanger, which pre-heats or pre-cools the air by using the temperature of the exhaust air.
It occurred to me the ZEN58 would be an excellent device to use as a monitor of the system to make sure it is cycling on/off as needed–and when away from home, control it with a shorter duty cycle as an energy saving measure. If we’re not home, it really doesn’t need to run as often!
Setting up the configuration turned out to be pretty easy with the ZEN58. Powered by a 12v wall wart, the input connects to normally open relay contacts on the HRV that indicate its fan is operating. A couple of contacts are provided for connecting to a separate HVAC system to “make” the HRV run while the HVAC is running, if it is configured to use the same ductwork system. Convenient for this application: I can turn the HRV air circulation on/off easily with the ZEN58.
Here’s the setup:
Once again, Zooz hit it out of the park with this device. Its configuration options make it ideal for monitoring and/or controlling just about anything you can imagine–in a package small enough to install in tight spaces.
Like its cousin, the ZEN57, the ZEN58 is Highly Recommended for consideration in your next automation task. Check out the ZEN58 Low Voltage XS Relay Advanced Settings article for the details on how to configure the device for your application.