Hi everyone. I have a few Philips Hue globes and a couple of Sonoff wifi power plugs, all automated on the cloud using SEQUEmatic. I’ve just bought a Raspberry Pi and set up Home Assistant which is now running all my previous automations, with some enhancements thanks to the extra features of Home Assistant.
I’m currently renting, but in a few weeks moving in to my own house where I can invest more in home automation. Rather than smart globes I’m leaning towards smart switches, with my preference to use zigbee over wifi. I’m not concerned by brand and would prefer for them to connect directly to Home Assistant rather than using a hub (understand I’ll need a zigbee USB stick for that).
For now I’d like to start with smart switches for lights, but long term also looking at smart switches for other power outlets, automating blinds, garage door, front driveway gate, heating/cooling.
I’ve read a number of threads here and watched some YouTube videos but there are so many options out there! Looking for some recommendations on how to get started with this…recommended smart switches (I don’t want anything that looks too futurisitc, but want to be able to turn lights on/off and dim at the wall)?
a few tips from me (for what that’s worth) in no particular order
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find a brand or two and stick with them - all my lights are IKEA or INNR Zigbee (except for 2 which are sonoff wifi because you cant get decent E27 bulbs in zigbee it seems). all my sockets are ikea or silvercrest, control devices tend to be ikea
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if starting out keep it simple and don’t go all VM and docker - it just complicates things - just stick with your Pi and the pi image until you’ve developed your understanding of HA.
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Decide on your Zigbee implementation and stick with it - ZHA or Z2M. ZHA is probably the simpler option.
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use this site to look at compatibility of devices with your chosen implementation - Database of Zigbee devices compatible with ZHA, Tasmota, Zigbee2MQTT, deCONZ, ZiGate and ioBroker (blakadder.com).
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DO NOT use a wifi connected zigbee bridge - get a sonoff USB 3 and make sure you use a USB extension cable - keep the zigbee router well away from your wifi router
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always install your devices in location and add them via the nearest device (all lights and mains powered devices are usually routers).
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have naming convention for your devices and automations and stick to it - it just makes life easier
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expect issues
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learn how to get debug information and logs - it’s essential for troubleshooting and support
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use this forum - 98% of users are brilliant, 1% are smart arses and will always answer a question you didn’t actually ask and/or tell you you should be doing it their way, 1% are just a$$hats - ignore them.
if you have any other questions happy to try and help.
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When building a mesh network like Zwave or Zigbee, start with at least a few devices close to your hub before adding those further away.
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