Just moved into a new place and setting up Home Assistant on a mini PC. I want to start simple with making my lights smart and controlling them with presence sensors. As most of the YouTube content is US-based, I have some quick Aussie-specific queries.
Zigbee vs. Matter? Starting from scratch today, which ecosystem should I commit to for switches and sensors? Which hub should I buy?
Which Mini PC to buy? Since I'm treating this as a 10-year project and want massive headroom for future car/garage automation, what specific specs or mini PC models should I look out for?
70 Downlights / 20 Switches: I initially wanted to replace them with smart bulbs, but replacing 70 downlights looks costly and the wall switches would always have to stay in the ON position. Instead, I want to use smart relays behind the existing wall switches (a mixture of 1, 2, and 3-gang). Any specific recommendations that actually fit well inside Australian wall boxes?
Sparky (Electrician): I'll be hiring a licensed Aussie sparky. Should I buy the hardware myself and just pay for labor? What’s a realistic ballpark cost to get 20 switch plates fitted with relays? Do sparkies generally have knowledge about relays and smart homes?
Shelly’s are a good bet for in switch relays. But with that many, you need to ensure your wifi will cope. Shellies are au/nz registered for use. And aren’t too bad in price.
Zwave also will be certified for au/nz. But significantly dearer. And I alway had issues over a certain number of devices.
Pdl someone zigbee all switches. I’ve not heard of anyone using those. And seemed really expensive .
Good choice on not going bulbs. Unless you’re renting it’s a really inferior option due to the switches being made redundant. And not having the option to use app/automation or physical with that a I switch relay has .
We don’t get wall switches here. But with the relays at least you get the option any switch you desire.
I believe in aus, you can’t do anything electrical? So yeah need a sparky.
Not had any dealing with matter vs zigbee so can’t help on that .
Hi mate aussie sparky here, i recommend the new Gen4 shelly's you can run those as wifi, zigbee or matter, it's an option in the settings to choose what you want. If you supply the units your probably not going to get any warranty from whoever installs them so you need to consider that, also make sure you get someone who knows smart stuff. Some of us have no idea TBH.
Pricewise it's a bit hard to know without looking, do you have neutrals at the switches? Will be more expensive if you need neutrals run.
I have been using the Ikuu zigbee dimmers by Mercator. They work well and are certified for Oz. Their zigbee switches also work well but I prefer the dimmers.
Get yourself that nice ZBT-2 zigbee coordinators by Nabu Casa. Great units from my experience.
Try to use zigbee where you can to limit the number of IoT devices on your router. It is easy to hit that limit if you are not careful.