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- Jan 3, 2022
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Just to add on to that - I can open my garage door using Alexa but that does not mean you need to go and buy a "smart" garage door opener. The one I have is probably from 2005~2010 (approx. because I bought my house in 2014). You can make it smart by using this -->https://www.amazon.com/GoControl-GD00Z-8-GC-Z-Wave-Security-Black/dp/B085LKPHK6/That’s exactly what I did. I don’t mind the Homelink thing because what’s a couple button presses, but I have a MyQ garage opener and I hooked it up to Alexa through an IFTTY routine, so now as I drive away I just ask the car’s Alexa to “close the garage” and I can do it at *any* distance away.![]()
There are two home automation protocols that are widely used - Z-wave and Zigbee and there are numerous devices that use these protocols like switches, door-locks, garage-door openers, motion sensors, etc. All of them need a hub to control them. There are many hubs that you can buy and I have direct experience with two of those that support Z-wave and I use on a daily basis:
1. Logitech Harmony: This controls all the entertainment devices along with numerous lights, motion sensors around the house and also comes with a universal remote. Unfortunately, Logitech has exited this business and no longer sells this which is really sad. This can be linked by enabling Alexa's "Harmony" skill.
2. ADT hub: The one I have was probably installed in ~2010 and is a rebranded Netgear router with Z-wave radio for home automation. I linked all the smart door-locks and the garage door along with a couple of outdoor lights to this hub. This hub is linked to Alexa by enabling the "ADT" skill. I can say "Alexa, open outside garage door using code one-two-three-four". No 4-digit code needed for closing. The 4-digit code is a security thing that I'm not sure who is enforcing - Alexa or ADT.