ᐅ Which Smart Home System to Choose – Special Requirements Present…
Created on: 24 Mar 2021 18:58
Z
zoe_willssmartZ
zoe_willssmart24 Mar 2021 18:58Hello,
unfortunately, I only realized towards the end of renovating my old house that smart home systems involve much more than just radiator thermostats and window sensors...
The more I looked into the topic, the more I noticed what I already have or want, and now I’m completely lost about what makes sense and how everything can be combined. So, the question is which wireless standard to use, since running cables is no longer an option.
What do I want to control remotely and make smart?
- Of course, the radiator thermostats, which should automatically turn down when I open a window—or when my partner tilts one open (which he likes to do, grr). I also want to be able to inform the system via an app whether I’m coming home or not, so heating isn’t wasted unnecessarily.
- Window sensors / handles: I want the app to show whether the windows are closed, tilted, or fully open. Maybe even a warning light near the door if I’m about to leave and something is still really open.
- In the hallway, I want lights that automatically turn on when I walk past, but of course only if it’s not bright enough. And at night, I don’t want floodlight intensity—just a comfortable level of light.
- Some switches are in awkward places, and running cables from there would be… well, forget it with these walls. So a few smart modules inside existing switch boxes and sticking a switch somewhere else should be possible with any system, right?
- Smoke detectors: Since my new drywall (plasterboard) walls have become quite soundproof, they need to network together and sound alarms in other rooms. It would be great if you could silence them via app and check which detector triggered first. (Have you ever jumped out of bed half-asleep because of an obvious false alarm, had to fetch a ladder, and pull down that annoying device from 3 meters (10 feet) high just to turn it off? I hate that…)
- Velux roof windows—specifically IO Homecontrol: aside from Somfy, they don’t seem to be controllable by default with other systems. Velux apparently offers an additional device (a hub? bridge? whatever), but can I integrate that anywhere? At least I’d like automatic shading to close when it gets unbearably hot indoors in summer. It would be great to have a network setup that opens my roof windows briefly when the air quality is very poor, instead of just blinking a warning like the Bosch Twinguard does. And, ideally, automatic shading plus opening/closing the windows depending on temperature—so it doesn’t get like a greenhouse during the day or too chilly in my attic at night.
- Outdoor irrigation: I’d like to connect irrigation to keep my flower pots watered on weekends or during holidays. There is a water connection available, and I could run power if needed. I have no clue whether I should go with a standard irrigation controller, something from Gardena, or a Raspberry Pi... At the moment, I’m thinking about setting up a hydroponic system, where a Raspberry Pi monitoring water parameters remotely might be the most practical solution. Do you have any ideas?
- Music: Since some of my stereo systems have broken down, I’m considering what else I could use besides the one tower with a CD player and the annoying music alarm clock. Years or decades ago I might have put my CD collection on a NAS to play in different rooms, but that’s probably not state-of-the-art anymore... Maybe, just maybe, it would make sense to just put a Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom and hobby room, which could be controlled remotely somehow. I actually don’t want Alexa/Siri/whatever listening devices in the house, but I might make an exception for the bathroom. How else do you control something like this if not through a phone? Do you keep an extra tablet there just to select music?
Questions, questions...
And to make things more complicated (otherwise you’d just say Zigbee):
I’m actually leaning toward Bosch—not only because I prefer rechargeable batteries for environmental reasons rather than disposable mini batteries, but also because I want to store my data locally on a device rather than somewhere in the cloud.
I guess integrating that with a Raspberry Pi will be difficult, right?
So if anyone can shed some light on this, I’d be very grateful for any information 🙂
unfortunately, I only realized towards the end of renovating my old house that smart home systems involve much more than just radiator thermostats and window sensors...
The more I looked into the topic, the more I noticed what I already have or want, and now I’m completely lost about what makes sense and how everything can be combined. So, the question is which wireless standard to use, since running cables is no longer an option.
What do I want to control remotely and make smart?
- Of course, the radiator thermostats, which should automatically turn down when I open a window—or when my partner tilts one open (which he likes to do, grr). I also want to be able to inform the system via an app whether I’m coming home or not, so heating isn’t wasted unnecessarily.
- Window sensors / handles: I want the app to show whether the windows are closed, tilted, or fully open. Maybe even a warning light near the door if I’m about to leave and something is still really open.
- In the hallway, I want lights that automatically turn on when I walk past, but of course only if it’s not bright enough. And at night, I don’t want floodlight intensity—just a comfortable level of light.
- Some switches are in awkward places, and running cables from there would be… well, forget it with these walls. So a few smart modules inside existing switch boxes and sticking a switch somewhere else should be possible with any system, right?
- Smoke detectors: Since my new drywall (plasterboard) walls have become quite soundproof, they need to network together and sound alarms in other rooms. It would be great if you could silence them via app and check which detector triggered first. (Have you ever jumped out of bed half-asleep because of an obvious false alarm, had to fetch a ladder, and pull down that annoying device from 3 meters (10 feet) high just to turn it off? I hate that…)
- Velux roof windows—specifically IO Homecontrol: aside from Somfy, they don’t seem to be controllable by default with other systems. Velux apparently offers an additional device (a hub? bridge? whatever), but can I integrate that anywhere? At least I’d like automatic shading to close when it gets unbearably hot indoors in summer. It would be great to have a network setup that opens my roof windows briefly when the air quality is very poor, instead of just blinking a warning like the Bosch Twinguard does. And, ideally, automatic shading plus opening/closing the windows depending on temperature—so it doesn’t get like a greenhouse during the day or too chilly in my attic at night.
- Outdoor irrigation: I’d like to connect irrigation to keep my flower pots watered on weekends or during holidays. There is a water connection available, and I could run power if needed. I have no clue whether I should go with a standard irrigation controller, something from Gardena, or a Raspberry Pi... At the moment, I’m thinking about setting up a hydroponic system, where a Raspberry Pi monitoring water parameters remotely might be the most practical solution. Do you have any ideas?
- Music: Since some of my stereo systems have broken down, I’m considering what else I could use besides the one tower with a CD player and the annoying music alarm clock. Years or decades ago I might have put my CD collection on a NAS to play in different rooms, but that’s probably not state-of-the-art anymore... Maybe, just maybe, it would make sense to just put a Bluetooth speaker in the bathroom and hobby room, which could be controlled remotely somehow. I actually don’t want Alexa/Siri/whatever listening devices in the house, but I might make an exception for the bathroom. How else do you control something like this if not through a phone? Do you keep an extra tablet there just to select music?
Questions, questions...
And to make things more complicated (otherwise you’d just say Zigbee):
I’m actually leaning toward Bosch—not only because I prefer rechargeable batteries for environmental reasons rather than disposable mini batteries, but also because I want to store my data locally on a device rather than somewhere in the cloud.
I guess integrating that with a Raspberry Pi will be difficult, right?
So if anyone can shed some light on this, I’d be very grateful for any information 🙂
Realizing all of this will definitely cost a significant amount of money and take a lot of time. It won’t be easy at all.
You could either bring in 25 different systems for all the scenarios. That would actually be the simplest solution because most user interfaces are very user-friendly. However, comfort quickly drops to almost zero when you have to install so many apps.
I think you can achieve quite a bit with Shelly devices and iobroker. But there will have to be some tricky solutions, for example with the Velux issue. Unfortunately, I’m not very up-to-date on this topic, but there is a strong forum for them... I would definitely ask there again, as they can tell you exactly what is possible and what isn’t.
There is already some information about the thermostats above. If you have a new underfloor heating system, you can scratch that off the list.
Are the lights in the hallway referring to ceiling lights? Or are these wall lights or spotlights at ankle height?
I can’t answer about smoke detectors and switches.
Irrigation should be possible.
With music, you will almost certainly need a new system. Sonos, for example.
The whole setup can then be controlled via smartphone, and if desired, you can put a central tablet somewhere to have an overview. For example, next to the front door to check the windows.
It’s really a shame you didn’t deal with this topic earlier. KNX would be the best solution and, in my opinion, also much easier to install overall.
You could either bring in 25 different systems for all the scenarios. That would actually be the simplest solution because most user interfaces are very user-friendly. However, comfort quickly drops to almost zero when you have to install so many apps.
I think you can achieve quite a bit with Shelly devices and iobroker. But there will have to be some tricky solutions, for example with the Velux issue. Unfortunately, I’m not very up-to-date on this topic, but there is a strong forum for them... I would definitely ask there again, as they can tell you exactly what is possible and what isn’t.
There is already some information about the thermostats above. If you have a new underfloor heating system, you can scratch that off the list.
Are the lights in the hallway referring to ceiling lights? Or are these wall lights or spotlights at ankle height?
I can’t answer about smoke detectors and switches.
Irrigation should be possible.
With music, you will almost certainly need a new system. Sonos, for example.
The whole setup can then be controlled via smartphone, and if desired, you can put a central tablet somewhere to have an overview. For example, next to the front door to check the windows.
It’s really a shame you didn’t deal with this topic earlier. KNX would be the best solution and, in my opinion, also much easier to install overall.
Z
zoe_willssmart25 Mar 2021 07:38Well, a full renovation was never planned, so rewiring everywhere wouldn’t have been possible anyway. That’s why I think KNX wouldn’t have been a real option.
Radiators: standard, no underfloor heating.
Lighting: wall lights.
I haven’t really looked into Shelly devices yet, maybe I should catch up on that...
Radiators: standard, no underfloor heating.
Lighting: wall lights.
I haven’t really looked into Shelly devices yet, maybe I should catch up on that...
Since you won’t end up with a “system” anyway, for various reasons, you need a central platform that covers the widest range of functions and integrates the individual subsystems more or less under one roof.
In other words, you need something like Home Assistant, IP-Symcon, Savant, Node-RED, or similar.
Once you have chosen a preferred platform, you can look for the “systems” that can be integrated as simply and reliably as possible.
This might mean using EnOcean window handles, Nest smoke detectors, Hue lights, Hunter irrigation, and thermostats from Tado.
You have to put the cart before the horse here. Don’t buy a bunch of electronics first and then try to make everything work together. Instead, select and set up the platform first, and then buy components that are compatible.
In other words, you need something like Home Assistant, IP-Symcon, Savant, Node-RED, or similar.
Once you have chosen a preferred platform, you can look for the “systems” that can be integrated as simply and reliably as possible.
This might mean using EnOcean window handles, Nest smoke detectors, Hue lights, Hunter irrigation, and thermostats from Tado.
You have to put the cart before the horse here. Don’t buy a bunch of electronics first and then try to make everything work together. Instead, select and set up the platform first, and then buy components that are compatible.
untergasse4325 Mar 2021 11:51This could be done entirely with Control4 and, for example, OPUS GreenNet. However, Control4 is not a DIY solution and it won’t be cheap, but it offers maximum flexibility regarding third-party devices. Integrating everything into one system either requires a lot of time or money. That’s a choice you have to make. In general, what Mycraft says applies: first find and decide on the top-level control system, then select the rest based on compatibility.