Smart home Tech

[Themem]

Hey guys,

So I've recently been getting into some "smart home" tech stuff, automation - whatever you want to call it.

I've grabbed myself a bunch of Sonoff controllers, an echo dot and lighting so far.

So i'm fairly comfortable with setting it all up and playing about - but i'm bored, and i've run out of ideas.

So, please send me inspo for some projects you've done, and how they've made your life easier - or just cool as projects!

I'm hoping to set up some smart plugs just to save some cash on utility bills but that's as far as i can think for "useful" right now - plus its a 2 second job and will hardly keep me busy lol

 

[mystery hill]

r/homeautomation

 

[SalisburySam]

While smart plugs can be handy indeed and do have the potential for utility savings, I don’t think you’re likely to see much savings overall, especially if you add in the cost of the smart plugs themselves. You’ll likely enjoy better returns by changing incandescent and halogen bulbs to all LEDs. Today, home automation seems to have delivered convenience, and not much more. And pretty expensively too with the cost of the smart plugs, Alexa devices and their competitors, IoT security risks, and so on. Seems to be still at the hobbyist stage, and not much different from the X-10 devices for home automation available in the 1980’s. I know this sounds like a downer, but I think this remains an unfulfilled promise today.

 

[Themem]

While smart plugs can be handy indeed and do have the potential for utility savings, I don’t think you’re likely to see much savings overall, especially if you add in the cost of the smart plugs themselves. You’ll likely enjoy better returns by changing incandescent and halogen bulbs to all LEDs. Today, home automation seems to have delivered convenience, and not much more. And pretty expensively too with the cost of the smart plugs, Alexa devices and their competitors, IoT security risks, and so on. Seems to be still at the hobbyist stage, and not much different from the X-10 devices for home automation available in the 1980’s. I know this sounds like a downer, but I think this remains an unfulfilled promise today.

Thanks for the response Sam. i'm honestly not expecting any savings in all honesty. The price of the plugs will take a while to pay themselves back - and the chances are they never will however that being said: i've had them plugged in for at least a week now round the house for some minor tasks to try them out. Honestly the time and hassle they save me has been worth the cost in itself and i'm sure I will buy more in the future.

Currently I have a small electric radiator that is connected to the thermostat and comes on when the ambient temp drops. I find this saves money in terms of the central heating for the whole house not having to come on - just keeps that room a nice temp at all times for the dog. I have also been able to connect my indoor veggie garden and have control over some basic functions remotely through the phone.

My home is already full LED, so cost savings there can't really be had unless something (more) efficient comes up. I have no doubt it will at some point in the next 10 years.

I do however agree that it is still very much in the trial stages in its growth right now, but I am optimistic. At the moment there seems to be too many platform too use. Some of the start-ups and others will get knocked out and make way for some bigger players who will put serious money and r&d into new products once they have cornered enough of the market. Whether I think this is ethically right or not, along with the privacy issue, is a whole other conversation in itself.

 

[soulreaver99]

Get a raspberry pi, install homebridge on it, and never worry what will be compatible with HomeKit. Best thing I ever did

I have my Ring, garage door and nest integrated. When I come home, it knows that it’s me so the garage door opens, turns of the ring alarm system, and cools the house down. Possibilities are limitless. Able to control my homebridge devices through my google home devices too saving money from needing to buy HomePods.

 

[Themem]

Get a raspberry pi, install homebridge on it, and never worry what will be compatible with HomeKit. Best thing I ever did

I have my Ring, garage door and nest integrated. When I come home, it knows that it’s me so the garage door opens, turns of the ring alarm system, and cools the house down. Possibilities are limitless. Able to control my homebridge devices through my google home devices too saving money from needing to buy HomePods.

Hmmm, this sounds like a plan. The Pi seems interesting and I would love to dive into a bit of python really considering it seems very straightforward.

The real question is how long will Apple keep HomeKit before it becomes redundant like so many other of the cool things they bring out!

I digress - sounds like an awesome idea and will look into it.

Edit: Which model do you have, and which model would you recommend?

 

[soulreaver99]

Hmmm, this sounds like a plan. The Pi seems interesting and I would love to dive into a bit of python really considering it seems very straightforward.

The real question is how long will Apple keep HomeKit before it becomes redundant like so many other of the cool things they bring out!

I digress - sounds like an awesome idea and will look into it.

Edit: Which model do you have, and which model would you recommend?

I'm using this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BC7BMHY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And followed this guide: https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge-raspbian-image/wiki/Getting-Started

It's really easy. If you get stuck, feel free to PM me.

 

[Themem]

I'm using this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BC7BMHY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And followed this guide: https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge-raspbian-image/wiki/Getting-Started

It's really easy. If you get stuck, feel free to PM me.

Thanks for that, I looked through the guide and it looks surprisingly easy.

I grabbed myself a Raspberry Pi 4 (the 4gb version, as i'm sure this will be plenty).

I've decided that for the time being I will do what you've done and upload home kit. I think the route im going to go is to set lights to turn on/off when i get home and see if i can work something out so that they fade with sunset/sunrise. I've not figured this bit out yet though.

After reading this article about Raspberry Pi and CCTV I'm also going to see if I can get hold of some 2gb versions for £30 or so when on sale and link them up with some Raspberry Pi Camera Modules to make a small little indoor CCTV system - mostly to keep an eye on the pooch, but still hoping it would be fun.

Thanks for the inspiration 👍