Hello everyone,
Over the past few years, I’ve gradually made our rental apartment a bit smarter. Tado for heating and air conditioning, Hue for the lights, Nuki for the front door, Eve for the garden, some smart plugs and window sensors, and Netatmo to stay informed. Everything is integrated with Apple’s HomeKit, and almost everything can also be controlled via multiple Alexas.
Overall, we are very satisfied with our setup. So far, we have no problems running automations that, for example (where desired), turn on the lights via motion sensors. Geofencing controls many things (cameras, heating, lighting, etc.), so for us, almost all needs are covered. Since we already have a lot of hardware, we want to keep all of it and implement it in our new house. Of course, there are also some things to improve here.
Just this past weekend, I discovered that Philips has a collaboration with Gira offering switches that require no wiring, no batteries, and look great as well. Although we enjoy almost everything automated, there are always some situations or rooms where a simple switch is still faster and better. That’s why we are currently considering installing these switches alongside the existing wired light switches where they already sit. Weberhaus also offers this solution for their houses, so it can’t be too bad. Still, it would be quite a drastic step to completely give up the “old” switches and thus wiring as well.
Here is question 1:
Who has already implemented this solution with the Hue switches and can share their experience?
I have, of course, imagined some worst-case scenarios and have tested a few things at home. Lights MUST always be able to be turned on somehow—that is my basic requirement.
Case 1: Internet connection fails (Wi-Fi still active).
Apple HomeKit is offline, as is Alexa (both perfectly manageable since these are luxury features, not basic requirements). Hue devices still communicate and can be controlled both with the switches and the app.
Case 2: Router (FritzBox) total failure.
Same as Case 1.
Case 3: Hue Bridge breaks.
Lights can no longer be controlled by either the switches or the app. BUT the emergency solution still works: cutting power to the lamp and restoring it. Hue bulbs are, by default, ALWAYS on when powered.
The catch with the new Gira switches is that they also stop working, meaning you really have to remove the bulb and put it back. For me, that’s okay in such an exceptional situation—it has never happened to me in all these years, and one night can be managed like that.
So, the Hue solution with their switches is basically acceptable to me even in an emergency. Test passed!
Please point out any cases I haven’t thought of (and please don’t just say power outage 😀).
Now, as a new feature for my new house, I will have roller shutters everywhere, which will be controlled wirelessly with Somfy motors, so I need your help again since I can’t test these yet.
The question here is: are there wireless solutions that allow the roller shutters to be lowered even in exceptional situations?
Theoretically, radio motors don’t need switches anymore, but are there similar wireless switches that require no wiring?
What’s really important to me is: if all standard equipment fails (the associated bridge, Wi-Fi router…), is there any way to still lower the roller shutters without installing a wired backup solution?
That’s it for now 😀.
A quick clarification: I’m just a user, so if I have described things incorrectly (like calling a switch a button or vice versa—I’ve never been able to keep that straight), please overlook it 🙂
Best regards
From a smart home enthusiast who doesn’t really have a proper smart home yet 😉
Over the past few years, I’ve gradually made our rental apartment a bit smarter. Tado for heating and air conditioning, Hue for the lights, Nuki for the front door, Eve for the garden, some smart plugs and window sensors, and Netatmo to stay informed. Everything is integrated with Apple’s HomeKit, and almost everything can also be controlled via multiple Alexas.
Overall, we are very satisfied with our setup. So far, we have no problems running automations that, for example (where desired), turn on the lights via motion sensors. Geofencing controls many things (cameras, heating, lighting, etc.), so for us, almost all needs are covered. Since we already have a lot of hardware, we want to keep all of it and implement it in our new house. Of course, there are also some things to improve here.
Just this past weekend, I discovered that Philips has a collaboration with Gira offering switches that require no wiring, no batteries, and look great as well. Although we enjoy almost everything automated, there are always some situations or rooms where a simple switch is still faster and better. That’s why we are currently considering installing these switches alongside the existing wired light switches where they already sit. Weberhaus also offers this solution for their houses, so it can’t be too bad. Still, it would be quite a drastic step to completely give up the “old” switches and thus wiring as well.
Here is question 1:
Who has already implemented this solution with the Hue switches and can share their experience?
I have, of course, imagined some worst-case scenarios and have tested a few things at home. Lights MUST always be able to be turned on somehow—that is my basic requirement.
Case 1: Internet connection fails (Wi-Fi still active).
Apple HomeKit is offline, as is Alexa (both perfectly manageable since these are luxury features, not basic requirements). Hue devices still communicate and can be controlled both with the switches and the app.
Case 2: Router (FritzBox) total failure.
Same as Case 1.
Case 3: Hue Bridge breaks.
Lights can no longer be controlled by either the switches or the app. BUT the emergency solution still works: cutting power to the lamp and restoring it. Hue bulbs are, by default, ALWAYS on when powered.
The catch with the new Gira switches is that they also stop working, meaning you really have to remove the bulb and put it back. For me, that’s okay in such an exceptional situation—it has never happened to me in all these years, and one night can be managed like that.
So, the Hue solution with their switches is basically acceptable to me even in an emergency. Test passed!
Please point out any cases I haven’t thought of (and please don’t just say power outage 😀).
Now, as a new feature for my new house, I will have roller shutters everywhere, which will be controlled wirelessly with Somfy motors, so I need your help again since I can’t test these yet.
The question here is: are there wireless solutions that allow the roller shutters to be lowered even in exceptional situations?
Theoretically, radio motors don’t need switches anymore, but are there similar wireless switches that require no wiring?
What’s really important to me is: if all standard equipment fails (the associated bridge, Wi-Fi router…), is there any way to still lower the roller shutters without installing a wired backup solution?
That’s it for now 😀.
A quick clarification: I’m just a user, so if I have described things incorrectly (like calling a switch a button or vice versa—I’ve never been able to keep that straight), please overlook it 🙂
Best regards
From a smart home enthusiast who doesn’t really have a proper smart home yet 😉
Our ceilings
Why be so strongly against Somfy? Our system has been running for 6 years without any failure.
And they offer more than just shutter control; there are flush-mounted actuators, sockets, sensors, and more.
Of course, a wired system is superior, but the initial investment is more expensive.
Araknis schrieb:
With Somfy, I would definitely clarify this in advance. I don’t trust that company at all. Why insist so much on Somfy?
Take a look at OPUS GreenNet...
Why be so strongly against Somfy? Our system has been running for 6 years without any failure.
And they offer more than just shutter control; there are flush-mounted actuators, sockets, sensors, and more.
Of course, a wired system is superior, but the initial investment is more expensive.
Mycraft schrieb:
You can connect any modern wired motor to more or less any actuator. However, I wouldn’t wait for the Eltako series 64. Like the BER airport, they have been announced for a long time but are still nowhere to be found. My house probably won’t be finished before 2023, so I think they should be available by then 😀... For me, it’s mainly about integration with HomeKit, which somehow seems very easy to implement with the 64 series.
Araknis schrieb:
… Why insist so much on Somfy?
Take a look at OPUS GreenNet... Not insisting, I don’t even know if Somfy offers a wired version, they definitely have a radio version. I actually don’t have a favorite yet, I just want it to be simple and, ideally, to work including my requirements 😀. I know, that’s a contradiction…
OPUS was recommended to me in another forum as well, I’m just a bit skeptical since I’ve never heard of it before, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean much…
I have to be honest, I still don’t fully understand why wired systems are supposed to be so much better.
For years, I have relied on the expertise of specialists in their fields: Nuki for the front door, Tado for heating, Hue for lighting, Eve for switches and sensors, and I’m sure the list could go on. Honestly, I haven’t experienced a failure in many years, and I just need to accept that there is no such thing as 100% fail-safe. I believe this applies equally to wired and wireless systems. At some point, faulty components will need to be replaced – that’s always going to be the case.
Why should I stubbornly insist on wiring inside my walls when there are now well-functioning wireless solutions for almost everything? I’ve often heard comments like “not another bridge” and so on, but honestly, I’m planning a control cabinet, so whether there are 5 or 10 bridges there doesn’t really bother me. Of course, I always consider reliability with new systems (like the range issues with Somfy, for example). On the other hand, I’m kind of a perfectionist who wants to eliminate every risk, even though I know that’s impossible. In the worst case, something just has to be replaced – no big deal.
Moreover, considering today’s technology, a quickly replaceable (wireless) system is actually the simpler option, following the motto: unplug here, plug in there.
This is not meant to start a debate or silence anyone; I just wanted to share my mental block and I’m naturally open to arguments and explanations to help me better understand. I’m eager to learn and experiment with new things, but I need to grasp the advantages first…
For years, I have relied on the expertise of specialists in their fields: Nuki for the front door, Tado for heating, Hue for lighting, Eve for switches and sensors, and I’m sure the list could go on. Honestly, I haven’t experienced a failure in many years, and I just need to accept that there is no such thing as 100% fail-safe. I believe this applies equally to wired and wireless systems. At some point, faulty components will need to be replaced – that’s always going to be the case.
Why should I stubbornly insist on wiring inside my walls when there are now well-functioning wireless solutions for almost everything? I’ve often heard comments like “not another bridge” and so on, but honestly, I’m planning a control cabinet, so whether there are 5 or 10 bridges there doesn’t really bother me. Of course, I always consider reliability with new systems (like the range issues with Somfy, for example). On the other hand, I’m kind of a perfectionist who wants to eliminate every risk, even though I know that’s impossible. In the worst case, something just has to be replaced – no big deal.
Moreover, considering today’s technology, a quickly replaceable (wireless) system is actually the simpler option, following the motto: unplug here, plug in there.
This is not meant to start a debate or silence anyone; I just wanted to share my mental block and I’m naturally open to arguments and explanations to help me better understand. I’m eager to learn and experiment with new things, but I need to grasp the advantages first…