I used to work for a home automation company, so I’ve been at this subject for a long time. That product morphed into what’s now known as MiCasaVerde Vera.
My home has the following automated:
- Most lights are on addressable dimmers
- Ecobee thermostat
- Ceiling Fans (variable speed)
- Fireplace
- Alarm panel integration
- Two Z-wave dead bolts
- Chamberlain garage door opener
- Etherrain sprinker system controller
- Hot tub (Heater, Filter, Lights, and water filler)
- Outdoor fountain
The most useful is by far the spa. The controls for that were all over the place – to turn on the heater you’d have to go to the pool equipment, the light switch and fillers were all in different places. Now they’re all in one neat place.
The second best is having the sprinkler system controllable by my iPhone. If you’ve ever needed to repair sprinkler parts, being able to test them easily without mucking with the controller that’s far away is gold, gold, gold.
Third is the alarm panel integration. Its sensors are used to trigger events in the HA system (i.e… open the back door, the landscape lighting comes on automatically if it’s night time). And it’s nice to be able to arm and disarm it from the app. I just found a module to integrate with the panel that came with the house, so it wasn’t a big expense.
Light control is probably the most common “home automation” thing but I actually find it to be the least useful. Light switches are usually in really logical, easy to use places. Climate controls are way more useful. Nice to be able to turn the fire place on or turn a ceiling fan on without getting up.
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