I had some feedback from my previous post about Home Assistant so thought that I’ll elaborate a little on my setup.
A few years ago, we, as did many people, bought a smart speaker (or two) and, if memory serves me right, a smart switch module from SonOff.
When connected to WiFi, I could control this from the eWeLink app on my phone, but even better than that, I could ask Alexa to switch this thing on and off.
Being a bit of an Apple fan boy, I was aware of Apple’s Home app but that could only control stuff that was specifically designed to work with apple.
After a bit of searching on the ‘net I came across a snazzy bit of software called HomeBridge. Homebridge could connect devices from different manufacturers and allow control from one place. I could also connect non-Apple approved smart things to Apple’s Home app.
Once connected to Apple Home, the different items could be operated by voice – this time via Siri (more smart speakers!)
For a time, as my collection of smart devices grew, this worked fine but I was bored with the Apple Home user interface (ui) so went looking for something a little more aesthetically pleasing and discovered Home Assistant (HA).
Apple Home
Home Assistant
I think that my primary reason to plumb for HA was the customisability of the UI but there were also so many more integrations to allow just about any smart device to be connected up. The range of automations was also far greater.
At first, I ran HA on my main computer but as this had to be on 24/7 I decided to purchase a Raspberry Pi and install it on there.
This palm sized computer, would draw very little power so could be left switched on to perform it’s magic.
Over time, more and more devices have been added including …
- Light Bulbs
- Light Switches
- Sockets
- Thermostats
- Motion Sensors
- Camera and
- Presence Sensors to name a few.
I have automations set up to switch, as an example, the fountain on and off around dawn and dusk. When a person is detected by the front doorbell, a floodlight will come on, if it’s dark. Room lights wall come on and stay on when a room is occupied (even if sitting still, watching TV).
I enjoy ‘playing’ with Home Assistant as it appeals to my technical side as well as designing of the UI.
By the way, HA can expose any of its devices, automations or scenes to Alexa so I can still control stuff by voice. Alexa is one of the few services that rely on an external internet connection but most things work locally so will function even if the broadband fails.
If, by any chance, you fancy having a go with Home Assistant, there’s an excellent (and somewhat funny) video HERE.
