Brand spanking new

Configuration
1

From today, 12/17/2021, back to 12/10/2021 when I first tried to get HA going on my laptop, I’m now at a somewhat happy point in that it seems to have loaded fine and am getting used to the new layout. My question is: So now what do I do?

We are just beginning on building our fourth house and I want to make it a smart house without any eavesdropping. I want to put permanent exterior lights along the outside edges of my roof line with different holiday programs. I think it needs to be done with XLights and other stuff. I’ve watched TONS of Youtube videos on HA and LED strips. But where do I get my feet wet to begin making my house smart? I’m a retired programmer and at one time learned Perl over a weekend for a client.

Thanks in advance for all the helpful info.

2

Well it all depends, what do you want to do? Where do you want to start? Maybe buy a few motion sensors, open close sensors, outlets just to play around with. Make sure you can pair them to HA. Then think about how you want to use them?

I started with Dr. Zzz and TheHookUp on youtube. Great videos and ideas. I got some videos on my youtube as well. No where near production level of the two I mentioned above, but could give you some ideas.

3

Thanks. I’ve watched many DrZ and HookUp videos on YT. Trying to find the page on the new HA that shows manufacturers of different stuff. It was my intention to start getting things, but didn’t know if I was going too fast and had other things that I should learn first.

4

I found a list of integrations under the Configuration tool, but it doesn’t show the manufacturers. I’m thinking of starting with a front door lock. What should I look for to make sure the front door lock I get can be controlled by HA?

5

Here are brands that I’ve used and trust in my Z-Wave network:

  • Inovelli. I find this the best and most updated and capable brand of Z-Wave devices
  • Aeotec: Most of their stuff is rock solid. I love the Wallmotes and their Z-Sticks are quite good
  • Fibaro: My favorite motion/temp/light sensor out there with great battery life. Also good leak detectors and other stuff too
  • Yale Door Locks. Can be a bit fiddly to set up but work great
  • Schlage Door Locks. Easy to set up and work great.
  • Philips Hue. There’s a couple recent issues with the API changes but still works for me and has for years
  • SecuritySpy. This is a Mac based camera management system and while it’s not directly connected to HA, it’s an outstanding piece of software that easily talks with HA and offers tremendous automation

That’s a few of my favorites. I’ve had hit-and-miss with GE Z-Wave, most of the Chinese junk outlet adapters and off brand Z-Wave that I got on a whim, but the above stuff has worked pretty solidly for me.