Low-Cost Z-Wave Whole-House Water Shutoff Using Alarm.com
I am considering building a lower-cost Z-Wave water shutoff rather than buying one of the more expensive dedicated Alarm.com-compatible valves.
The proposed setup uses:
U.S. Solid 1-inch stainless-steel motorized ball valve
85–265V AC
Two-wire auto-return design
Power applied: valve opens
Power removed: valve closes
Automatically closes during a power outage
Approximate cost: $65–$80
Zooz ZEN05 outdoor Z-Wave smart plug
Weather-resistant for use near plumbing
Controlled through a Qolsys IQ4 panel
Approximate cost: $29
Polarized replacement power cord
Male plug on one end and bare conductors on the other
Approximate cost: $8–$12
Weather-resistant junction box, strain reliefs and connectors
Used to enclose the splice between the valve wires and power cord
Approximate cost: $15–$25
Plumbing fittings
Depends on the existing pipe material and installation
Approximate cost: $20–$40
Estimated total cost
Approximately $140–$185, not including professional plumbing or electrical labor.
How it would operate
The valve plugs into the Zooz ZEN05.
Zooz ON: power is supplied and the valve opens
Zooz OFF: power is removed and the valve closes
Utility power failure: the valve automatically closes
Power restored: the Zooz should restore its previous relay state, allowing the valve to reopen if it was previously ON
The ZEN05 would be enrolled into the IQ4 as a Z-Wave switch or appliance module. The valve itself would not communicate with Alarm.com. Alarm.com would control the Zooz plug, which controls power to the valve.
My two concerns are:
Is there any way to make Alarm.com recognize or display the Zooz device as a water valve rather than a light or appliance switch?
Does anyone see a reliability, safety or automation problem with this setup compared with a purpose-built Z-Wave water valve?
The concept appears to provide remote shutoff and fail-closed operation during a power outage for considerably less than many dedicated smart-water-valve systems.
Is there any way to make Alarm.com recognize or display the Zooz device as a water valve rather than a light or appliance switch?
This is a limitation. It’s not currently possible to manually assign a device type for a Z-wave device connected to the panel. In ADC it will show up as a switch and be non-modifiable. You could automate it and control it as a switch in Alarm.com, but it would not play nicely with Alarm.com water management features.
Does anyone see a reliability, safety or automation problem with this setup compared with a purpose-built Z-Wave water valve?
One thing to consider, is whole home water valve closure during any power outage desired behavior?
This behavior fits vacant properties or vacation homes, and it is helpful to close the water valve during an extended winter power outage where frozen pipes are a concern, but if this is for someone’s primary residence, automatic closure may introduce some inconveniences, or potentially even safety and health concerns depending on the context of where it is installed and whether the people in the home at the time know how to manually operate the valve’s override.
Cutting water access in an emergency or heatwave can be potentially dangerous.
If you look at their website they have a normally open and a normally closed. The one I posted in normally closed so during an outage it would go to closed. If you get the open one it would leave the water open and the risk is if the power goes out and then there is a Burst pipe and you can not control.
But this would be an issue with ANY auto valve device?
That is much lower cost than other inline valves like Moen Flo or PhynPlus. But those devices also monitor for leaks and are more advanced.
If you only need an an actuator (something that turns off the water but doesn’t monitor for leaks) why not use a Zooz Titan? It shows up in Alarm.com as a water valve.
Looks good. I just think the one I posted seems more robust and it’s not turning a handle. It’s an actual ball valve that’s staineless and it’s less money.
I think people,are trying to do too much with one thing. Not sure about auto leak shut off. I have 14 places water could leak in my house. I can cover that with the Govee leak sensors thst send texts, emails, and then manually shut off. When I go on vacation, we always shut the water off anyway. 14 auto leak detectors would be really expensive. But who knows, I may end up going that way.
No, to my knowledge most valves do not fail closed. The common commercial options compatible with Alarm.com like Phyn Plus, Moen Flo, and the SWM150 remain in their prior position during a power outage.
Hi @DiamondDog
I like the idea! I have a very similar plan (which I’ll share to see if it sparks any other ideas) but in my case for my lawn irrigation system. Using the same brand valve, actually, but with the 12vDC version as opposed to 120v AC. My thought was to use a 12v battery backed power source with a Zooz ZEN58 controlling it (which also runs on the 12v).
Since it takes only 417 mA of power, my initial plan was to run it off the AUX output of my IQ Hardwire 16-F (which is limited to 500mA of power). However I was thinking I’d deploy another 12v battery backed source that was independent, since I have other 12v goodies in my can with the 16-F. (Altronix SMP3 is my likely candidate with a 7.5aH battery and a 24vac transformer.). This is made extra easy because my alarm can is literally 8 feet above where this valve will be installed.
The one I was looking at was the USS-MSV00015 which is a normally closed. It also has sensor lines to show the current status of the valve (open or closed) which I will attempt to route to a zone on the 16-f in group 25 to get alerts when the valve is opened vs closed and show valve status on the IQ panel.
Also, since this (for my use case) is for lawn irrigation, I need that valve to stay closed in the winter. My plan was to install a key-based switch so it can be “locked out” in the winter and not accidentally be opened, since the system will be winterized. This would break the connection after the ZEN58 for safety’s sake.
fyi The Zooz valve actuator ($49) has a battery backup option, and the titan water valve itself has a wired water sensor directly connected to work without the hub if necessary.
For my use case, though, it is the wrong product, since the titan by default will cycle itself off/on periodically to exercise the valve. Nothing I want to risk in a winterizing situation. And I agree that if your existing ball valve is not cooperative this actuator may have difficulty. I have that same issue as my existing irrigation valve is a mess and very very hard to open/close.
They make a Normally open version that opens the valve during a power failure. They have a reverse polarity version too that keeps it in the last position when you reverse polarity but this would require not a zwave plug but a zooz zwave relay and a transformer power supply.
The reason I don’t like the ZooZ Titan is because the shell is plastic which will degrade over time, especially in sunlight. And I think an internal ball valve is more reliable than something that turns levers.
I’ll post pictures of the install. They make a version with a 3 prong plug making this really easy.
They have a wifi version. Who would they speak to at ADC to get it to work with ADC?
Also, who makes inexpensive z wave water sesors as I should be able to automate this. How many z wave devices can the IQ4 handle?
Just discovered that they make a model that has manual open and closed. So if power is lost the valve shuts, but at the top is a manual screw so you can open it without power
So in summary, this device is open when power is on and water flows. If you turn off the zwave plug through ADC, water stops as the valve closes.
If there is a power outage the valve closes. If you are home and need water, you would go to the valve and manually open the valve and you would have water.
You have to order the right model though ant it would be this one:
Full Port no water resitriction.
You will have to cut the male end off an extension cord and attach to the two wires for this model. $76 bucks!
I installed the Zooz Titan Water Valve Actuator along with the optional battery backup. Initially, Alarm.com was reporting a low battery warning even though I didn’t have the battery installed. The actuator was already running the latest firmware, so rather than spend more time troubleshooting, I decided to purchase the battery backup. Once installed, everything worked perfectly.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with this device. The actuator is well-built, has plenty of torque, and clamps securely onto the water valve without any issues. The installation was straightforward, and the integration with Alarm.com has been flawless.
The biggest benefit is the peace of mind it provides. I have five water leak sensors throughout my home, and if any one of them detects water, the Zooz Titan automatically shuts off the main water supply before a small leak can become a major flood. Since I travel frequently, being able to remotely monitor and shut off my home’s water supply from anywhere is an absolute game changer.
Considering the potential cost of water damage, the price of the actuator is insignificant compared to the protection it provides. It’s one of those smart home upgrades that pays for itself the first time it prevents a leak from becoming a disaster. For me, it’s been a no-brainer purchase, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to add an extra layer of protection to their home.
I think the ZOOZ Titan is a good option. I just prefer to have a direct valve open and close vs something turning a handle. The clamp on nature also seems like a possible failure point. But I appreciate how they make it easy to install. I just feel I want something more secure.
I used to be “everything should integrate with ADC” but lately I have been OK with separate platforms. For example I like using the Raccio Stand alone app and the Ecobee Standalone app vs hunting and pecking for it on ADC app and using a limited version.
With US Solid as I have described, it can integrate with Zwave and IQ4 and be automated to shut off with IQ water sensors. Its seems like a more robust piece at a fraction of the cost. Again, I’ll test and report back. I’m also encouraging the manufacturer to work with ADC if there is enough interest
I can forward any feature/product requests to Alarm.com and confirm user interest in the product or integration. Do you have a link for the wifi model you had previously mentioned?
This has been installed an I have tested over a few days. This works great. Its a really solid unit and I don’t have to worry about another fail point (e.g. a handle not turning).
Connected to a zwave switch and it simply plugs in. To close valve i turn switch off. If there is a power outage the valve closes, but there is a manual over ride option where you can just pup up a turn screw and manually open the valve.
