I think that is a good idea. However I'm trying to keep things simple, although I like the idea of a HA, I'm not sure I want to get into managing and hooking up another system. But if I have to then I will.
I am a little confused about the Vera Edge, is it a controller and I'd have to get another component to control the garage?
Vera Edge is a $149 HA hub that like most other home automation controllers functions like a network hub or sorts. You plug it in to power and either connect it directly to your home network with a network cable (my preferred method) or connect to your home network via ethernet. Your home network needs internet access for initial setup. The Vera Edge controls devices via a wireless protocol called Z-Wave. There are also other protocols that it supports but Z-Wave is the most common and most widely supported.
With a device like Vera Edge, you can control lights switches, garage door openers, door locks, motorized air conditioning vents, curtains etc. Z-Wave is also a bi-directional protocal and allows the controller to monitor the state of the Z-Wave device and report that info to you via the web interface or an app on your smart phone or tablet. So you know if your garage door is open or your front door is unlocked or if a light is on etc.
Setup of an HA solution (depending on what you choose) is REALLY easy. Basic control of the above devices is also simple. In the case of a garage door opener such as a Linear GDZ004 (what I use), you mount the GDZ near the opener motor or garage door opener button. Connect the two wire connection to the garage door switch connections at the button or the motor, add the tilt sensor to the garage door (it runs off a watch battery), plug the GDZ into a power outlet, push a button on the GDZ, set the controller (Vera Edge for example) into add device mode and the HA controller will find and add the device. Once it's added, you can then control it from the web interface or the App of your choice. And, like the Apex, you can control your devices from anywhere in the world provide you have internet access. Same goes with light switches. Simply remove the old switch, add a $35-$45 Z-Wave switch in it's place, push a button on the device and set the HA controller to learn mode and it will find and add the new switch. All Z-wave device are married to the HA network via the same method.This includes motion sensors, temp sensors, humidity sensors, locks, curtain and blind controllers, etc.
The learning curve with controllers like VeraEdge is very very simple. You can create scense that trigger multiple devices. I for example have 20+ lights on dimmable and non dimmable Z-Wave switches as well as garage door opener, front door lock, AC Vents for a poor mans zoned AC System, an ethernet based Thermost (Ecobee3) and more. All of which are controlled via my VeraEdge. I have a number of different scenes. One of which is Good Night. When I hit the Good Night button on my iPhone or iPad Apps, the lights shut off, the front door locks and a close command is sent to the garage door opener. I even have a Universal Remote App called Roomie Remote that controls my home theater as well as my bedroom AV system and Roomie also supports and devices that my Vera Controls including scenes. In Roomie, when I hit the Good Night button, my TV shuts off, my AV Receiver shuts off and my Vera Good Night Scene is activated shutting my lights off, locking the front door etc. I have another set of scense for my AC. Cool Heat Downstairs shuts my upstairs vent, opens the downstairs vents and turns the AC on to a preset temp. I have one for Cool Heat Upstairs and Cool Heat Up and Down. All of which is simple to program as the controller GUI walks you through the process. To accomplish what you are after for the garage, you would install the -Z-Wave garage door opener controller ($99) and a temp sensor ($35) and of course a controller such as Vera. There are other controllers that are cheaper such as Staples connect which can be acquired for free if you buy two or more -z-wave devices from staples that cost $35 or more but Vera is about the most flexible and supports the widest range of devices. I started with a Staples connect and immediately found it's short comings and bought the Vera. It was the best $150 I spent because the SC doesn't support many devices, you need to use specific switches for full functionality that cost more and staples connect support is pretty weak at best.
There is also a great forum for Vera.. It works so well that I got a cheap iPad and mounted it in a wall in my kitchen so I have central control over my lights, garage, door locks, AC etc. I even have apps to control my smoker and monitor my meat temps via another device that isn't controlled by Vera.
I will post some screen shots from some of my Apps.
