How Do I Set a Z-Wave Light on a Schedule on the IQ Panel 5?

To set a Z-Wave light on a schedule on the IQ Panel 5, swipe down and touch Settings, then touch Automation. From there you can add a local rule that turns a Z-Wave light on and off at set times, such as on at 7pm and off at 6am. These local rules control the lights right on the panel itself.

About Local Light Schedules

The IQ Panel 5 (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) can run simple lighting schedules on its own through the Automation menu. These local rules live on the panel and are separate from any cloud rules you might set through Alarm.com. They let a Z-Wave light follow a set schedule without any extra service, which is handy for making a home look occupied or for everyday convenience.

The panel comes with a few ready-made rule types you can apply, including a Night rule that turns a light on at 7pm and off at 6am, and an Evening rule that turns it on at 7pm and off at 11pm. There are also trigger-based rules, such as one that turns a light on for 15 minutes when a sensor named Front Door opens between 5pm and 7am. These give your home automation a hands-off routine.

Before You Begin

The Z-Wave light you want to schedule needs to already be added to the panel so it appears as a controllable light. Note that these on-panel schedules are designed for lights. To put other Z-Wave devices like locks or thermostats on a schedule, or to build more advanced routines, you would use Alarm.com rather than the panel's local Automation menu.

Set a Z-Wave Light on a Schedule

1. Swipe down and touch Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Settings Tray, then touch SETTINGS.
   
   Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Settings Tray.Touch Settings in the Settings Tray.
2. Touch Automation. On the Settings page, touch AUTOMATION to open the panel's local lighting rules.
   
   Touch Automation on the Settings page.
3. Add a new rule. Choose to add a rule, then pick the schedule you want, such as Night for on at 7pm and off at 6am, or Evening for on at 7pm and off at 11pm.
   
   Add a rule and choose a schedule.
4. Select the light and save. Assign the Z-Wave light you want the rule to control, then save. The panel will now run that light on the schedule automatically, and you can edit or remove the rule here any time.
   
   Assign the light and save the rule.

Tips

The trigger-based rules rely on specific sensor names, so the Front Door rule needs a sensor added with the quick name Front Door, and the Doorbell rule needs one named Doorbell. Because these are local rules, they keep working even if the panel is briefly offline, unlike cloud rules. If you want a Z-Wave thermostat to shift on a schedule instead, the panel's Smart Energy Optimizer and Alarm.com are the better tools for that.

Setting a Z-Wave light on a schedule on the IQ Panel 5 gives you automatic lighting without any added service. For help with light schedules or other automation on your IQ Panel 5, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We are here Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, call us at 888-818-7728, or visit our website and chat with a live support agent.