Call me crazy, but I think home automation is a lot like eating potato chips. Once you start, it’s very hard to stop. I found that out when I started building my own home automation system from scratch. And now, I am fully down the rabbit hole.
Home automation’s primary benefits are efficiency and convenience. I find that home automation also scratches my tech geek itch. I get a thrill out of investigating home automation technologies, choosing new devices to invest in, and then figuring out how to hook them up to my system and maximize their capabilities.
DIY vs. Production Home Automation
I chose to go the DIY route with my system because of my tech geek tendencies. I eat this sort of thing up. But I have a sneaking suspicion that I would still have the ‘potato chip’ problem even if had I purchased a production home automation system from a big name provider like Vivint Home Security.
I wouldn’t be able to buy just one or two devices and then stop. After getting my lighting squared away, I would definitely have to invest in other devices. And in fact, that is the plan for my DIY system.
Right now, most of my home automation is confined to lighting. I chose lighting as my starting point because it’s easy to set up and manage. I use an old laptop as my smart home hub. The Home Assistant platform is the software that runs on that laptop.
Plans for Future Devices
The lighting devices I currently have on my system are a collection of smart plugs and wall switches from two different manufacturers. I’m fortunate in that Home Assistant supports hundreds of devices from dozens of brands. I had no trouble finding switches and plugs that were compatible.
Rest assured I have plans for future devices. Here’s what I plan to add to my system, in order of preference:
Video Surveillance
I already have one video surveillance camera by way of an old USB webcam that was sitting in a drawer collecting dust. But I have plans to invest in several wireless cameras for both indoor and outdoor deployment. I am currently investigating brands and models to decide what I want.
Smart Locks
We live in a single-story home with two entrances. Right now, both doors are equipped with mechanical deadbolts. I plan to replace them with smart locks in the very near future. I am mostly interested in smart locks because we entertain a lot of out-of-town guests. Smart locks would allow me to eliminate all those spare keys we have floating around.
Voice Control
Also, in my future plans is expanded voice control. With my current setup, I can use voice control by pulling out my smartphone and launching the companion app that comes with Home Assistant. But I eventually want to install smart speakers throughout my home so that voice control works without a smartphone.
Geolocation Control
Finally, the home automation holy grail for me is geolocation control. At some point, I want to integrate my system with my smartphone so that events can be triggered based on my physical location. Here’s one example: programming the system to turn on the lights and unlock the front door as I approach my house.
Once I start eating potato chips, I have a hard time stopping. I find I’m having the same problem with home automation. Now that I have begun investing in home automation, I just want to keep adding devices and technologies. If nothing else, it’s a hobby.