Why buy a GE 45609 Z-Wave On/Off Light Switch?
Recently I picked up a pair of GE 45609 On/Off switches to compliment my Z-Wave powered Home Automation network. They've been installed for a few weeks now so read on to find out how well they work.
Concept
Unlike most Z-Wave dimmers, the great thing about On/Off switches is that they support CFL, LED, Xenon, Halogen, and Fluorescent light bulbs. Dimmers were great for conserving energy before the flood of energy-efficient bulbs, but now it seems you need a On/Off switch to really save energy. This is partly because most Z-Wave dimmers do not work with CFL or LED bulbs. They often require a minimum power consumption to operate correctly which usually makes them insufficient.
The Good
Installing the GE 45609 was a breeze. Both switches installed within about 20 minutes and were paired with my Vera controller within seconds.
The is very little action on the switch and its very quiet making it feel effortless. The build of the switch seem of higher quality than that of the other dimmers I've installed like the HomeSettings HA06 Dimmer.
Another great feature on the GE 45609 On/Off switch is the recessed posts on the back of the unit. Many other Z-Wave devices had lengths of wires coming out of them that you would pig-tail to your existing home wiring. This switch did not which made the fit in the electrical box that much easier.
The Bad
Actually this is one of the best Z-Wave devices I've purchased. The GE 45609 does not feature a delayed off feature like some other HomeSettings brand dimmers and switches. Outside of that, a lower price tag would be nice.
Why buy the GE 45609? Because its one of the best Z-Wave devices available on the market today.
Purchased at: Amazon.com
Price: $48.25
