What are your favourite - no cloud - devices for UK

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I'm renovating an old property and starting out with a HomeLab and HomeAssistant. So far I have several ZigBee sensors for temperature and humidity, a local MQTT link to my Smart Meter via Glow ICD, and a few Smart Plugs (ESPHome and ZigBee).

As the renovation is extensive, essentially starting from scratch, I have the opportunity to choose different kinds of HA compatible devices such as smoke alarms lighting, blinds, roof windows and so on. Also a robot mower one day.

I plan a new heating system (maybe oil combi outside, or a heat pump) and rooftop solar. Maybe an EV one day.

So I'm looking for ideas and especially recommendations for specific hardware that you have tried and found useful. This can be a useful thread of ideas and suggestions for UK, and also things that didn't work out, so feel free to share your experiences and recommendations for a UK smart home using HA, particularly ZigBee, MQTT and ESPHome.

I'm not going to touch anything that requires cloud/external services, do pleased only include local only devices.

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What I learnt was that everyone does something different.

I gutted and renovated Grade II listed cottage and outbuildings.

Ran wires and ducts everywhere so I had flexibility to work out what I wanted.

Three years later I now have flexibility to change if I need.

There is no correct answer

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Indeed, sounds interesting. If be grateful to hear what you've done, what devices you've tried and how it is working out.

I've already learned a lot from all the different experiences people have shared (including on Mastodon), so if you like it would be great to hear more about your setup. Can you say more about the wiring you've done? I've been thinking of putting in some CAT5 (maybe?) and maybe some coax but haven't looked into that much yet.

My building isn't listed but is ~200 years old and needs a lot of work. For us it's important to maintain its character and to create a home for me and hopefully future generations.

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  1. You can't have too much Ethernet. CAT5 can handle 1 Gbit , and you can stream over 100 simultaneous 1080P streams in a 1Gbit bandwidth. I have yet to see a convincing argument for more expensive Ethernet.
  2. There are more than a million Home Assistant installations worldwide, and I would wager that NO TWO ARE ALIKE.
  3. Never, ever fall for the marketing hype that any particular manufacturer's hub or controller is required. If the device is not Zigbee, WiFi or Z-Wave, then it's probably proprietary and should be avoided.
  4. Here is a list of integrations that you can refer to.
  5. You can't have too much Ethernet.
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  1. Agree. Ethernet cable everywhere
  2. I went for full shielded because it can be utilised for LV signals (shielding becomes useful)
  3. Duct duct duct. My builders went mad with all my ducts
  4. Light switches; cat cable + mains cable triple + earth

I am listed cottage; you can not see a single cable or aware of any technology.

I apply the mother-in-law rule; if she can not operate the lights I have failed. Good luck

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Why run cables everywhere (eg all light switches) rather than just having them to a few locations to extend WiFi?

I prefer ZigBee where I can, and it does seem to have better reach than WiFi even before seeding a few places with plugs for the mesh effect. But I'm guessing WiFi ESPHome/MQTT is more widely supported.

I'm curious, that's the benefit of wiring everywhere rather than a few strategic locations. Are you using it, or just have it in case? I can see the benefit of ensuring wired paths for things like video streaming, but light switches.. or did I misunderstand?

Thanks for sharing your approach, I will need to consider this but luckily have plenty of time. First meet with architect next week!

Edit: note to self... LV = low voltage signals. What do you use this for?

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I have Ethernet in every room, in the walls behind the drywall or above the ceiling. Most of it is just there. I think I paid about $35 for 500 ft of CAT5. The odds are that I won't use most of it, but when or if I need cable in a room or ceiling, cutting a hole in the wall to pull out the cable would be FAR FAR cheaper than running cable in finished walls or ceilings.

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Ethernet cable can be used for a variety of stuff:

  • Audio
  • Video (Hdmi over ethernet)
  • IR blasters
  • PoE
    It's basically your failsafe against moments where you need to hook up a new device.

My suggestion is to go for solid cat6. It's pennies more per metre compared to cat5 & required for Hdmi extenders.
Just be sure the conductors are full copper & avoid anything that mentions copper clad aluminium or CCA

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