Hello all, I’m hoping for some advice and sanity check on a planned Home Assistant security setup. I’ve just moved into a new house and need to install an alarm and camera system. My background is as a hobbyist/project tinkerer, mainly with TrueNAS and Arr stacks, and I’d now like to expand into Home Assistant. This will be a dedicated security setup, with scope to expand into wider automation in future.
I know I am covering a lot of topic areas so I hope I have structured the post for easier reading. Thank you in advance for your help.
Background
Design scope / Need
- Local hosting and control with no requirement for cloud or subscriptions.
- Remote access is mandatory, but happy for this to be via HA or Tailscale.
- As this is my first go at HA, and want it set up fast, there is a strong preference for ‘plug & play’ equipment that is readily compatible or good community support.
- System stability and battery life are key issue as I regularly spend time working away from home.
- All equipment to be sourced from the UK.
Building description
Modern detached house, two-storey plus loft, wooden stud walls with exterior brick. Footprint of 10x10m plus a 10x12m garden with scope for future outbuilding at the rear.
Main concerns
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Tado locking API calls – While I doubt I will hit their limit, I am open to alternatives which are more future proof to my scope/need.
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Aqara cross-compatibility – While the Aqara kit looks to meet my needs, are they compatible with the wider HA/Zigbee ecosystem? Specifically thinking the P100 and P1 sensors and using the hub as a siren.
Current Equipment plan
1) HA Server
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Background – No specific loyalties, original thought Raspberry Pi but seems the HA Green is better supported?
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Choice – HA Green
2) Zigbee coordinator
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Background – No specific loyalties here, leaning towards the ZBT-2 for assumed better support and range. Open to the ZBDongle.
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Choice - Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2
3) ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT
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Background – In my original reading I preferred ZHA due to stability and ease of setup. But on further reading it seems that Z2M is just as easy to set up and integrate into HA?
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Choice – Undecided.
4) Zigbee router/extender
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Background – I am unsure of zigbee ranges, but I assume I will need one or two extenders. Unsure of how well the light bulbs, internal siren or even a reflashed ZBDongle will blend together in this function.
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Choice – Undecided.
5) Internal window and door contact sensors inc. smash sensor
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Background – My main preference for intruder detection is window and door contact sensors, especially with some form of smash sensor. Key requirement here is to be as small and low profile as possible. Especially in a sun room with multiple windows and patio doors, which might well be easier to cover with a PIR?
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Choices –
- Aqara Multi-State Sensor P100
- Aqara Door and Window Sensor T1
- SONOFF SenseGuard Door/Window Sensor SNZB-04PR2
6) External door contact sensor, for use on garden gate
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Background – This is more of a stretch goal than an actual need, unfortunately I could not find any.
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Choice – Undecided.
7) PIR room sensors
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Background – I am still undecided between window/door sensors as the main means of intruder detection. Or if a PIR sensor is a wise choice either as a primary or as a second line sensor.
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Choice – Aqara Motion Sensor P1
8) Smoke and CO sensors
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Background – Nothing specific, just want to cover main living areas, kitchen and garage. Both functions combined into one unit would be prefered.
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Choices –
- Heiman Smart Mini Smoke Sensor Heiman HS1SA series
- Smart Carbon Monoxide Sensor Heiman HS1CA series
9) External security siren, preferably with lights
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Background – No specific preference, just a reliable external siren with minimal maintenance.
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Choice – Neo NAS-AB06B2
10) Internal siren
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Background – No specific preference, just need a doorbell chime and internal security siren.
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Choice – Aqara Hub M1S Gen 2
11) Cameras with NVR
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Background – The house is on the edge of a village backing onto open countryside, therefore preference for PTZ system.
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Choice - Reolink system
- Main cameras – TrackMix PoE (Twin lens with PTZ)
- Doorbell camera – Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi
- NVR – RLN8-410
12) Alarm Panel
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Background – No specific preference, just needs to be reliable with minimal maintenance. One with a longer battery life would be ideal. A touch panel and mains powered is a secondary stretch goal.
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Choice – Frient Intelligent Keypad
13) External lights
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Background – I would prefer not to use security flood lights due to aesthetics, therefore thinking smart lightbulbs in existing external light fittings. Also neighbouring houses external lights provide great ambient light levels so no need to flood large areas. Main need for the lights is to illuminate on approach for aesthetics, but also security where if possible to flash when alarm triggers. Happy for these to be Wifi or zigbee.
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Choice – Either TP-Link Kasa, Philips Hue or Ikea Tradfri.
14) Smart thermostat
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Background – Current system is an S-plan standard boiler with hot water tank, wired to two dumb digital thermostats for two zones.
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Choice – Tado Wireless Smart Thermostat X - Starter Kit incl. Programmer with Hot Water Control and OpenTherm
(Two units, one for each zone)