At The Almost SmartHome we have been burned in the past with bad devices, spotty networks, things that work only when you look at them and so on. These are some core tenets that guide our approach to home automation based on experience or principles. These ensure that every device is integrated into a unified system, minimizing complexity and maximizing performance and usability. There might be more, they might be less its a live document and a growing system.
Home Assistant
The Nervous System of the House. Every device goes into home assistant. No device shall remain fragmented.
No-Wifi
No Wifi devices. If there’s no alternative, reconsider. Leave the wifi network for tiktok videos and have your smart devices somewhere else.
Zigbee
Zigbee is the protocol of choice. Everything goes into home assistant with a Conbee II Stick with the exception of the lights and the switches which have their own hubs.
No-Voice control
We paranoid and do not trust microphones actively listening for commands, If in need, phones can reach and do just as much with the press of a button.
Spouse Approved
Without the approval of your housemates your sensors are going to end up in the trash. Better to show up with clear instructions in advance.