For over 25 years, I’ve been on a journey to transform my living spaces through the magic of home automation. From humble rooms and apartments to full – fledged houses, my experiences have been a rollercoaster of learning and innovation. While there are countless experts online, I like to think I occupy a unique sweet spot. I’m well – versed in the advanced intricacies of home automation, yet I can also guide beginners on a rewarding path. With so much evolution in the field since my last write – up, I’m brimming with practical advice to share.
Let’s start with some essential equipment recommendations. At the heart of my home automation setup is Home Assistant. It’s akin to Linux in its journey from a cumbersome option to a game – changer. I remember my initial attempts at installing Home Assistant, filled with frustration as nothing seemed to work. But on my third try, it was a revelation. It not only connected all my devices but also discovered networked items I didn’t know could be remotely controlled. Whether you run it on a Raspberry Pi or a small server (my choice for a more intense setup), Home Assistant’s ability to configure everything automatically, generate sleek dashboards, and execute powerful automations is unparalleled. And for creating automations with ease, Node – RED is a must – have addition.
When it comes to surveillance, Frigate stands out as the top self – hosted NVR platform. It integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant, and paired with affordable Reolink cameras (around $50 each), it can detect people, cats, and various objects. This opens up a world of possibilities, from triggering alerts when an unauthorized person is detected to adjusting lighting based on occupancy. I’ve even set up a “pool party mode” that kicks in when three or more people are in the pool, complete with music.
For lighting, Hue bulbs are my go – to. While there are cheaper alternatives, I’ve found Hue to offer the easiest setup and the best light quality. Their wide range of bulb types, including excellent recessed light retrofits, works like a charm with Home Assistant. But if you’re looking for something more customizable, especially for light strips, WLED is a gem. With a simple ESP32 ($7 – 10) soldered to the light strip, you gain incredible control. I have light strips in my living room and sauna that create mesmerizing effects, and the WLED phone app and web interface make operation a breeze. When it comes to power delivery for longer strips, I’ve learned the hard way that higher voltage LED strips, like the 24V WS211 COB strips I recently ordered, are the way to go.
In the realm of connectivity, I prefer Zigbee and ZWave over wifi devices. These protocols are a breeze to pair and form a reliable mesh network. They’re perfect for a variety of devices, from smart locks and switches to valve controllers and plug – in modules. And when buying plug – in modules, always opt for ones that can monitor power usage. It’s a small investment that pays off big time, as I’ve been able to automate devices based on their power consumption, like turning off my pinball machine when it’s not in active use.
The Withings Sleep Mat is another favorite of mine. Connecting it to Home Assistant can be a bit of a hassle, but once set up, it’s the most reliable way to detect who’s in bed. We have one on each side of our bed, and it triggers a host of automations, from shutting down the house when I’m in bed alone to adjusting the bedroom lighting based on our individual presence.
For window treatments, Dooya motor – driven curtain tracks from Aliexpress and zigbee rolling shades are my recommendations. The SwitchBot, while useful in some situations, is less reliable, requires charging, and is noisy. And for audio, instead of splurging on Sonos, I’ve filled my home with Google Nest Mini and Audio speakers, which are perfect for my need for quiet background music.
Now that you’ve got your gear, the real fun begins. My ultimate goal is to never touch a light switch again, and I’ve achieved this for years. Every change in lighting, curtains, or other devices should be automated based on a trigger. For example, in the dining room, a motion detector under the table turns on the lights when you sit down and keeps them on for 30 minutes, preventing the annoyance of premature shut – off. In more complex scenarios, like turning on the bathroom heater, I’ve used the power usage of the bathroom fan as a trigger, since it runs at a higher power when there’s humidity.
In my tea room, I faced a unique challenge. I didn’t want the curtain between the tea room and the gym to close every time I walked by. So, I hooked up a power meter to the kettle and set the curtain to close only when the kettle is turned on. You can start with simple automations and gradually build more complex ones. For instance, when I turn on my projector, it not only dims the lights and drops the screen but also disables the kitchen motion detector to avoid unwanted light disruptions.
I also pay close attention to tracking different states, such as whether my wife and I are in town, if we have guests, or the time of day. This allows me to create seamless automations that adapt to every situation. Scenes are another great feature. I’ve named them things like “Backyard Evening On” and “Backyard Day Off,” and with a single trigger, I can set the entire backyard ambiance just right. And when there’s no obvious trigger, voice commands come to the rescue. A simple “Google, steam time” turns on my steam room before I even get there.
Home automation might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly simple. And while some might wonder why bother, the benefits are endless. It creates a perfect atmosphere, saves energy, and provides peace of mind. From the moment I wake up to the automated opening of my office shades to the automatic activation of vacation mode when we’re away, home automation has transformed the way I live. I’m constantly amazed that more people haven’t jumped on the bandwagon. Even starting small, with a few smart door locks and automated bedroom lights, can make a world of difference. So, if you have any cool automation ideas I haven’t thought of, I’m all ears!
