Schlage Encode WiFi Smart Lock | 6 Month Review

[@Discovery123.]

I just have this lock installed I wonder if I need to wash the door should I remove it or leave it there? One thing I don’t like about this lock is the plastic piece that cover the battery is so cheap.

[@FlyBeee]

The keypad section of the lock that stays outside the home is supposed to be water resistant to handle the elements. But if I was washing my front door I would put painters tape around the lock to not let water get between the door and the lock, and also will cover the lock with plastic. And will also cover the inside section of lock if looking to wash that side of the door. A bit of extra protection vs hassle of having to deal with warranty claim with manufacturer. Agreed the battery cover on the inside is plastic but doable and it has not given any trouble since the install many months ago.

[@WinstonFiore]

How's battery drain so far? Also, how is the Lever working out? Thanks for this video,

[@FlyBeee]

I changed the battery of front door deadbolt (model 489WB) in December , it was down to 20% and started flashing red. Overall got good 6+ months out of it with frequent use. The lock is doing awesome and love the benefits of it.
I installed the Schlage Encode 789WB lever lock on the garage-to-house door in my garage and it is AWESOME. Love this lock. The reality is, we use the garage-to-house door more often because thats family vehicle is in garage so this door gets a lot more use. Plus when kids are out playing they use this door. The Schlage 789 lever lock works a bit differently vs the 489 deadbolt, but in all good ways and I appreciate all the thoughtfulness and forward thinking Schlage put in this lock. Makes life easy and the lock just blended right into our daily lives with zero hinderance. If you have any question about the lever lock ask away.

[@WinstonFiore]

Thank you so much for this thorough reply. How are battery levels on the Lever so far? Are you using lithium or alkaline?

[@FlyBeee]

@@WinstonFiore Each Schlage lock (489 and 789) came with four Duracell AA-size Alkaline batteries. I changed out the battery on front door deadbolt (489 lock) with just a regular AA-size Alkaline battery (AC Delco brand) bought in bulk and it is working fine.
The lever lock (789) is new install so still using the manufacturer supplied Duracell Alkaline batteries. I just checked the app and the lever lock (789) is at 95% battery after about two months of use. Imp to note that I have light and beep sound ON for the lever lock because garage is not very illuminated with just a bulb on garage door motor, and anyone opening the door has their back to the light source. So all I am saying is that to me 95% battery looks pretty good because this lock gets waay more use and it is using Alkaline batteries - a lithium battery is not required. (In comparison: I use blink cameras around the home which require the more expensive Lithium batteries).

[@WinstonFiore]

@@FlyBeeeWow, this is really good to know. I think you've sealed the deal for me. Does the app give you the ability to create multiple homes? I'm torn about the batteries. It's my experience that lithium batteries will last much longer, but it's my understanding that they don't allow for accurate monitoring of battery levels, so they'll show 100% for a really long time, and they just die without warning once depleted.

[@FlyBeee]

@@WinstonFiore I am glad to help. I have one Schlage app and both locks are on it: 489 WB deadbolt which I named 'Front Door' and the 789WB lever lock which i named 'Garage Door'. You can name/rename the locks to what you want - If you have locks on different homes (rental homes) you can use one Schlage app and just name the locks to identify them as such- may be use house # in their name to make it easy to Identify them in app. The app doesn't require both locks to be on the same WiFi network. So from what I know, the locks can be on different homes but can still be managed through one app.
I have not tried lithium batteries in the locks. The app shows battery health on-going so there are no surprises about how much juice is left. If you plan to manage rental units remotely then may be change batteries / get them changed sooner vs waiting for them to have to be changed.