Dumb-to-Smart home strategy
I'm in the process of buying a dumb house, and I would like to immediately start automating it. Below is the strategy that I am polishing, I would like to get some feedback from the community:
MAIN IDEAS:
-Use Home Assistant as main control point but with a fall back in case it stops working, being the fall back the Aqara app via its hub.
-If internet stops working, I expect all to continue working unaffected.
-If home assistant and Aqara hub fail (i.e. network failure), I would like to still be able to operate lights, etc. Of course the automations will not work, but I do not want to go back to the stone ages because the server is not there.
-I value privacy, so if I can take control onsite, I prefer it. I am also familiar with wireguard-kind of solutions to connect remotely (I use Unify for networking).
-I'm considering to use the Aqara ecosystem as much as possible, so that I can centralise in a single app as many devices as possible and not have to deal with different vendors (unless justified).
-Home assistant will carry most of the heavy lifting in terms of automation and complex automation (alarm system, lights, messaging, etc.).
DEVICES:
- Networking: Unify (I currently have a Cloud Gateway Ultra and a AP7 Pro. I will probably need to expand with a PoE switch depending on how many devices I will wire.
- Aqara Hub M3 as central controller for all Aqara devices. I don't need IR blaster, and I rather not have microphone for privacy reasons in a product that is cloud connected).
- Home assistant running in a tiny PC, probably using Proxmox as virtualisation layer.
- I also have a Synology which runs some dockers, but I don't think this needs to be considered for the home automation. Also, I'll probably migrate the dockers to the tiny pc at some point.
- Exterior cameras: 1 in the garden, 1 in the Garage and 1 outside the garage. I have doubts on which models to pick here... I've been recommended Aqara, but I've seen other brands like Eufy or even Unify (although Unify is bloody expensive). No idea how I'm going to wire all this...
- Smart door lock in the main door, probably a Smart Lock U200 or U400 from Aqara (U400 is not available in Europe yet) or maybe a Nuki (which seems to be higher quality than Aqara).
- 2 Ceiling Light T1M, for Kitchen and Dining Room.
- Maybe some LED Strip T1's in the Kitchen and Dining rooms for ambient indirect lighting
- TVOC & CO2 sensors in each room (I haven't found a good one yet). It is a pity that the FP300 doesn't have CO2 & TVOC sensors embedded.
- I'm considering some local voice assistant but I rather have that completely offline (not via Aqara devices) to keep privacy as much as possible. Nabu? Is it good already?
- Multiple Presence multi-sensor FP300, probably in the rooms, kitchen, garage, dining room and even garden. Although I might cut down here if the price skyrockets. I will use these for presence, light and also for Temperature and Humidity. I've just found out that the reliability of FP300 is not great, due to the need to be low powered. I'm reconsidering options...
- Door sensors covering the doors leading outside, but not the inside ones. I haven't decided a model yet, I guess the P100 or P2.
- Window sensors in the largest windows, probably not in all windows
- Approx 4 Water leak sensors in the washing machine, fridge and potentially under the kitchen sink and next to the water floor heating system.
- I might consider replacing some dimmers already existing with smart ones (Dimmer Switch H2 EU from Aqara)
- I might also consider replacing dumb light switches, but I haven't decided yet
- It would be a good idea to have a Valve Controller T1 to control remotely the main water line, in case any water leak is detected and I'm not at home.
- If I need to replace any electricity outlets, I might go smart with the H2 EU from Aqara
- I'd like to have a few spare wireless switches that I can use for specific automations, probably Aqara wireless mini, or I could try some low cost ones like Ikea's.
- The Energy monitoring I'm still not sure, the house comes with no solar panels nor battery. I will probably install it in the future, once the ROI is decent.
- I also have an old Roborock
- At some point I might automate plants watering, once I build my garden (raise beds, etc.)
FEATURES/AUTOMATIONS:
- Alarm system that changes lights to red if an intrusion is detected, triggering Signal/Telegram messages or other notifications to the mobile devices. Maybe some acoustic alerts to follow if given certain hard conditions. Based on rules coming from all the different devices: window sensors, door sensors, cameras, etc.
- Alarm for leaks, potentially with manual/remote main valve closing
- Automatic light dimming following the sun
- Different light profiles at night, lower intensity, ideally based on presence per room
- Turn on lights when entering home and it is dark
- Turn on mood lights when TV is turned on and it is after sunset
- Energy control per device (I have a few smart meters already, from Tapo and other brands).
- Garage opening somehow. I will probably test different approaches (when the car is nearby, or from the car android auto). It would be great to get a pop-up on my car Android Auto if I am near home, to ask me whether I want to open the garage door or not. Is there anything like this available somehow? Any other more elegant solution?
DOUBTS
- I'm unsure whether I should use relays (Shelly?) or smart switches... any recommendation?
- What do you recommend for local voice assistant? It would be cool to have some Jarvis AI kind of thing... but of course 100% local, nothing cloud.
- I've selected Aqara since it seems reasonable in terms of price and with a wide ecosystem of devices. Should I consider any other brand? I've quickly checked Eufy but it seems very Cloud-based.
- Does it make sense to have both the Aqara hub and the Home Assistant?
- Should I consider a hands free door lock or is that a bad idea?
- What am I missing? What would you change?