In my (rented) apartment I do have several VELUX INTEGRA windows with blinds. I also asked myself what the best way would be to integrate them as in addition to the mentioned VELUX products also Somfy claims to be compatible (as based on io-homecontrol) both with VELUX and also with Apple HomeKit.
So I decided to give it a shot whit the cheapest solution and recently I bought a Somfy Connectivity Kit. My experience with it:
- Set up with Somfy Tahoma app went more or less smoothly (using existing remote controls), I can operate windows and blinds via the app
- HA integration via Overkiz also worked smoothly, I can basically do everything I can do via the app also via HA. The known drawback is the integration is cloud-based, that is, if you do not have an internet connection it will not work (normally not an issue but I still do not like the idea to be dependent on internet to locally open/close a window…)
- HA integration via HomeKit controller worked only partly: for whatever reason I can only operate the blinds, but not the windows themselves, Somfy support was not helpful as they refer to VELUX (which I do not fully get as I thought of the Connectivity Kit to be the relay also for HomeKit). Btw, it is the same for “real” HomeKit, I have tried with an iPhone and also there I can only see the blinds but not the windows. In addition, the ”stop” button is not there, you can trigger open/close but not stop. Percentage for automation works.
- The VELUX windows have integrated rain sensors and while close automatically if it rains, with the Connectivity Kit I do not see the sensor at all (I also did not expect as it is clearly stated that this device does not support sensors)
Based on the experience above I have contacted Somfy support to explain why window operation would not work via HomeKit. The standard support guy (which was anyway not very friendly) recommended my to buy the more exensive TaHoma Switch, as then it would work. I (luckily) did not trust this information and with the help of friendly Velux support I got in contact with some other Somfy guy (very friendly this time) who confirmed me that TaHome Switch will not help for that problem and the the missing HomeKit windows support is a problem of Velux (which I do not understand until this day as functionality is basically there, thus seems only an interface topic of the Somfy product).
In any case after these experiences I decided that I don’t want to stay with Somfy both because of the missing local functionality as well as the questionable support.
I sold the Connectivity Kit and and bought the VELUX KIG 300 (which seems to be designed by NETATMO). Here the result:
- Setup using VELUX app goes simlarly as with Connectivity Kit (but only VELUX products supported, no Somfy)
- HA integration via HomeKit controller works this time, I cannot only control blinds but also windows!
- As far as I know there is no specific integration like with Overkiz (neither local nor cloud), thus I did not test this.
- Unfortunately, wheras it is shown in the app that windows closed due to rain, the sensor is not made available via HomeKit neither here.
Conclusion for VELUX INTEGRA windows in combination with HA:
- If you are totally fine with cloud based integration or you have other Somfy products => Somfy Connectivity Kit does the job and you can save 50 bucks
- If you want local support (via HomeKit controller) and you do not have Somfy products => I recommend KIG 300
By the way, it seems that setup works only if you have an existing, configured remote control… means you still need one in parallel.
I refrain of sharing experiences with the apps TaHoma vs Velux as this should not be as important if you plan to integrate with HA.