my entire interest in Linux / FOSS is in the potential to have the most knowledge and control over my tech as possible... my interest in home automation stems from the fact that Home Assistant has long been regarded as a star among FOSS softwares.
I have had HA running in a VM on a server I have running Zoneminder for my security cams for some time now but I feel like I have hit a wall in understanding what (if any) of the currently available "smart" and automation products exist that fit my criteria.
my criteria are as follows...
1- if i buy the product, I must own it (no subscriptions fees for functionality)
2- it must be 100% usable without an online account of any kind
3-it must be 100% usable without access to internet-connected network.
I read alot of threads that made zigbee sound like a good route, then realized the bulbs that were highly recommended were replaced by a closed-ecosystem option at big box stores, then realized just because something uses zigbee technology doesnt always mean it is going to fit these criteria.
I do understand it is likely that Ill also need some sort of hardware dongle/hub/device
to go with HA for specific technologies, this is acceptable especially in the case of devices offered BY Home Assistant.
my primary interest is in Bulbs, Wire-in hardware (outlets breakers) and Sensors.
any infos or recommendations about product lines, companies, technologies that might be a good path to follow would be appreciated.
with Zoneminder I figured out that any camera that touts supporting RTSP will work,
and picked cameras based on that.
I would think you will get biased answers so here is mine.
I have for many years and still use Insteon.
Insteon is RF+Wireline control, does require a hub or PLM to send commands.
I have 80+ switches, dimmers, outlets, thermostat, fan controllers all implemented.
I do not use the Insteon cloud and have no subscription. However I do not block my hub from the internet.
I prefer this as most everything works even if the internet is down (push the switch, the light works) and even on generator for frequent power outages. The older switches are very well built, most of mine of over 10+ years old.
I have tried Zigbee, Zwave, etc. but nothing is as fast as Insteon as it is powerline ... the hub sends the signal out on the actual house wiring which is repeated in RF for dual-mode devices until things happen. And they happen instantly as the signal is 60 times/second. Insteon uses the crossover in the electrical wave to send/decode signals that are proprietary. Hence you need a device (Hub or Powerline Module -- PLM) to encode and send, receive and decode and keep the state database. Insteon is a core integration ... Insteon - Home Assistant
Now, they did have financial problems and pushed people away, that is certainly a negative. Which many of us turned to a positive by buying everyone's collections of hardware they took out at steep discounts. I have a box filled with another 50+ switches, a few extra modems and such although they are now releasing new hardware.
Insteon is actually not only the best integration I have, it is the most widely used. Every light, switch, fan ... numerous automations built around them, groups of devices for easy on/off/ control.
I would concur with @kbrown01 on Insteon. The problem I find with it is cost.
This I will suggest another solution: DIY.
For example, I designed and built what I call the Universal Light Switch (ULS) My work here is pretty rough, but you can get the idea.
I like Tasmota, too. A tasmotized ESP-01 relay can do a lot! (power it with a 5V wall wart) Or a water level sensor (though a good sensor cost a lot) or a pulse counter for water meters. Soon I will start on a project to tasmotize this motion sensor
Noted already that Insteon responds quickly; these do not.
I also have a number of Z-Wave devices. While they meet your criteria, not only do they not respond as fast as Insteon, my experience is that they are difficult to pair, touchy to configure and periodically drop off the network.
I don't quite understand your comments regarding Zigbee? If a bulb or other device uses Zigbee to communicate, it is possible to use it offline and with any Zigbee hardware you want. Most of these devices will say you need the manufacturer's hub to use them, since they are not interested in testing third-party equipment. But if it complies with the Zigbee standard any hub (including HA hardware) will be able to communicate with it. It sometimes takes some time before non-standard commands are included in the Zigbee integrations since someone needs to find out what they are and implement them. But for bulbs this is usually not a problem.
What's the closed ecosystem you are talking about?
It would help to know what country you reside in, or at least what part of the world. The available options are different based on one's region.
I personally prefer smart in-wall switches, dimmers, and fan controllers versus smart bulbs. As such, and being based in North America, I have chosen to use Lutron for all of my in-wall devices. This has the advantage of user-friendly manual control, with excellent integration into various home automation platforms like Home Assistant, Hubitat, etc...
For sensors, I have an extensive Zigbee network with motion sensors, leak sensors, temperature/humidity sensors, and contact sensors (doors and windows.)
For thermostats I use Ecobee, and integrate with HA via the HomeKit Device integration. This provides a 100% local integration, while still allowing the user to use the Ecobee cloud if desired while away from home. Or, one can use HA while away from home to control these thermostats.
There are lots of options available, but some are region specific as mentioned earlier.
It is not unusual to need a token from the device that requires a one-time connection to the mother ship.
I have yet to run into a Zigbee device that the ZHA integration can't find. All manufacturers want to push consumers into their ecosystem by saying, for example, that you MUST use their hub.
Yes, but they are cheap. Nabu Casa has one, but I am still using the Zigbee stick I bought a few years ago on Amazon for about $30
Smart bulbs are dumb. You get more functionality with a dumb bulb and a smart switch. Also, a line-powered smart switch will also act as a router for the Zigbee network. I have about a dozen outlet switches that also report power consumption. Zigbee breakers ?? If the breaker is not certified by the breaker panel manufacturer, I wouldn't use them.
Manufacturers: The only switches that have failed here were GE (Zwave).
Cameras: Any camera that outputs an RTSP or OnVIF stream will work. I run Frigate for my eight cameras and with the built-in Go2RTC, many generic cameras will also work.
I'd love to see some specific examples where this was the case with zigbee devices, because I have yet to see a zigbee device which can't be controlled* fully locally.
Basically, what you need for 100% local zigbee control is the following:
Pick any coordinator from this list. Forget about manufacturer hubs.
*The only slight exception to this are the newer Aqara devices which support both Matter & Zigbee. They come with Matter firmware by default & you have to use their app once to tell the device to switch to Zigbee. You can use a throwaway account for this & you don't need their hub. App can be deleted when you're done.
There is the case like my utility water meter. The label on the device says it uses zigbee. The utility can read the meter by war-driving the neighborhoods reading the meters. I have no access to it at all.
I bet if I did some sketchy stuff I might, bit I have not tried.
So zigbee that's not intended for the user, rather intended for the utility only.
It would be a bit naïve to think that just one use shouldn't be a problem. Your data is tremendously valuable and the temptation is too great not to take it. It would be very hard to prove that they stole your data. First, proving that they took your data and, second, because EULA probably stated that they could take your data. For example, the EULA for Steve Bannon's blog had the End User (EU) agree that the EU would pay Steve Bannon's legal fees.
I had a brief stint in computer security, I totally get totally get @silt 's concern.
Which is why I said to use a throwaway account & to delete the app if you're wary about this sort of stuff. If you really wanna go all out, get a burner phone & use it on cellular data & pair the device away from your house - device discovery & initial setup uses bluetooth on the Aqara app anyway.
