What is Reddit's opinion of Ecolink Intelligent Technology Z-Wave Easy Install, Battery Operated, Door/Window Sensor, White & Brown (DWZWAVE2-ECO)?

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Use a relay tied into the compressor contactor to trigger a dry contact sensor, like a Z-wave door sensor?

The relay would separate the high from low voltage sides. Maybe your contactor already has a set of contacts that could be used for the relay?

These have dry contacts that can be used for that type purpose. https://www.amazon.com/Ecolink-Intelligent-Technology-Operated-DWZWAVE2-ECO/dp/B00HPIYJWU

EcoLink Door sensor on Amazon for $29 works great. You add it as a Z-Wave sensor and it works fast and consistently.

Ecolink Intelligent Technology Z-Wave Door & Window Sensor, White & Brown (DWZWAVE2-ECO) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HPIYJWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ufrnyb2JP9NZN

I would test the 2 wires when the door is closed and see if you get continuity, and when the door is open if it is broken. You can use these Ecolink, or Schlage ones that have a contact terminal in them and have Z-wave door sensors. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPIYJWU

I don't have any automation yet, still reading up. As well as a tilt sensor, you could probably also use a window/door sensor but it definitely looks like the tilt/sensor is easier to install as it is one piece.

http://www.amazon.com/Ecolink-Z-Wave-Window-Sensor-DWZWAVE2-ECO/dp/B00HPIYJWU/

My comments are based on what I have connected to zwave stick on HomeSeer. I have Hue hub, it is only connected to a handful of lights but HomeSeer is able to control them just fine.

I have had this Ecolink one in use since 2014. It is on the computer closet door that turns on/off a plug that powers some LED lights. I have not replaced the batteries on these yet. The newer version, I just installed on pantry door a couple of months back.

I purchased a couple of the Aeotec ones to attach to the washer and dryer and they were problematic to get associated to my Aeotec usb stick attached to HomeSeer. I think I had to throw one out and purchase another. They have worked fine since, but the initial pairing/unpairing/retry with proper child device creation took an hour or two to get it setup properly.

I believe it was this one, though I think there is a newer version.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPIYJWU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I installed it a few years ago, and changed the battery maybe once? The tilt sensor another poster mentioned above would probably work as well.

You'd need window and door sensors, like these, a hub to interpret (I recommend hass.io or SmartThings) and an IFTTT recipe to interact with your thermostat.

You'd be better off asking this question in /r/HomeAutomation.

Like this that allows you to connect external wires, so you can connect the original switch to it.

Security: Look at it this way, How often are you opening windows, and forgetting to close and relock them? A contact sensor only works at the point of contact. IE, If the window is broken into (The glass is broken), the contact sensor will still show closed.

There goes the security argument out the window.

As far as automation, sure, sensors on windows would be a plus, but if you're doing something just checking if ANY window is open, You might try a hardwired solution and wire it to one sensor. You can get hardwired contacts for somewhere around 3 USD a pop. Combine that with one Ecolink door and window sensor (That has a hardwire port on it) and you'd be good to go.

Homeassistant supports Alarm Decoder and Envisalink (Two solutions I used just for this purpose) as well as a couple of others, but if youve already got a hardwired solution, That'd be your way to go.

So the main level has every door pre-wired and all windows that open on the main level pre-wired as well. Pre-wired door photos.

I assume you were talking about these Ecolink sensors? Just curious why go for a z-wave sensor and also hardwire it? Is this for redundancy?

I came across these that mount flush inside the door and I think would be hardwired the same way as the Ecolink sensor (GPIOs on a rPi in my case)? That way they're completely invisible and a lot less expensive to outfit every door and window. I don't know if these would work well for the front door that has the pre-wire on the hinge side of the door (depending on how far apart they need to get), but they should work for the other door that has the wires on the deadbolt side?

Again, super new to this, so I may be missing something. I really appreciate the help!

These work just as well for a little more than half the price:

https://smile.amazon.com/Ecolink-Z-Wave-Window-Sensor-DWZWAVE2-ECO/dp/B00HPIYJWU

You can put sensors on your doors. They come with a 3M type double sided tape, so no need to screw into anything. Or motion sensors. Or plug in power outlets. Security cameras...

I would have thought to just use a Window/Door sensor...but this looks much easier.

http://www.amazon.com/Ecolink-Z-Wave-Window-Sensor-DWZWAVE2-ECO/dp/B00HPIYJWU/