Smart Home Principles

When choosing the equipment to use I try to keep the following principles in mind to guide my decisions. Unfortunately the devices do not always exist to fit these principles but it is at least a starting point.

• Devices are preferably local control and stay within the homes network. (When the internet is not working it should still work withing the house)

• Devices that work even when all network fancy stuff is down (A light switch will still turn a light on and off)

• Avoid walled gardens, use devices that work within established standards. (When a company goes out of business I should not need to buy new gear)

• Devices should be very friendly with Home Assistant, the more control the better.

• Devices should be out of the box ready and not need tinkering, rewiring or flashing custom software.

• Devices should be financially responsible. Not necessarily the cheep thing, but the reasonably priced thing.

• The gear should be easy or clear to use for the non-tech person.