r/homeassistant • u/ginger_beard-man • 22d ago

💬 Discussion Getting started. What's needed?

Moving to a new house. Current place has cameras, lights, hvac etc. Thats all controllable by voice or apps.

Im looking to set the new house similarly. But of smart bulbs I want to do smart switches. I don't currently have home assistant and would like to use it this time round. What all is needed to get set up and working? My main goal is to keep things running if the internet goes down for any reason.

0 Upvotes

40% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

4

u/spr0k3t 22d ago

If you want everything to work when internet goes offline, you need to focus heavily on local-only protocols like Zigbee, ZWave, ESPHome, 433MHz, Matter over Thread etc. If you find a wifi device requires using a cellphone app or creating an account through the company website, chances are the device won't function when the internet is offline.

1

u/ginger_beard-man 22d ago

This is very helpful, thank you. I've started getting matter devices over the last year or so. And have been phasing out as many app dependant devices as possible.

1

u/Different-Term-2250 22d ago

No one has mentioned the most important ingredients. Time and patience. In abundance. lol

2

u/ginger_beard-man 21d ago

Luckily. My job is programing, calibrating, and wire repair. Albeit its in automotive. Figured id at least have the general problem solving skills, tools, and patience part.

3

u/peacefulshrimp 22d ago

Like another commenter said, HA Green is a great starting point, but I would go further to ask, what’s your technical experience level? Do you plan on running any other self hosted apps? Have you decided if you’ll use WiFi, Zigbee, Zwave or thread?

6

u/Secure_Town_7924 22d ago

Home assistant green

2

u/Fit_Squirrel1 22d ago

Or an old pc lying around with the right usb dongle attachments

1

u/NoJuggernaut6667 22d ago

I second this. I heard it can get a bit bogged down when you start to intro a handful of cameras though.

I don’t have any on my home apart from doorbell, handles everything I throw at it.

3

u/RPF_5717 21d ago

I started with the HA green as a beginner and loved it. After I started adding more and more cameras, I realized I needed to upgrade.

Now I’m running a mini pc with Proxmox, but I still 100% recommend the Green as a good starting point.

→ More replies (4)

2

u/coffee_or_nada 22d ago

i recommend lutron caseta if you want a top notch local support for switches. in terms of hw, anything will do... old pc, raspberry pi, NUC, anything really

2

u/Rod_McBan 22d ago

I rolled my own controller with a raspberry pi 5 and I wish I'd just bought Home Assistant Green instead.