My Top Ten Home Automation Projects

I was going to a doorbell camera using a Raspberry Pi. However, my wife warned me not to ruin the house. So, I bought a Ring Doorbell in 2016 and installed it. The following Halloween the videos of kids trick-or-treating was great.

Being able to talk with a person at the door, without opening the door, is excellent.

Ring started me on home automation.

Once I started on home automation, everything I read said I needed a hub. So, I bought or set up about 6 different hubs. I'd show the interface to my wife, and she didn't like them or want to learn them.

Eventually, I realized no one needs a hub. The Amazon Echo and an iPhone can do everything a hub can do. I now have an Echo of Echo enabled device in every room. All of my HA devices must be Echo enabled.

A learning thermostat is a must. I chose Nest, but Ecobee seems like a good competitor. Most learning thermostats have features similar to the nest. I love the Nest's interface. Very intuitive.

I incorrectly thought home lighting was not very useful. I've automated most of the light switches and fans in my house using WeMo. We use the Echo/light switch or fan controls all the time.

I modified my existing home security system so it could be self-monitored and my wife and I would be alerted to any issues at the house.

There are no monthly fees and no false alarm fees to the police.

When we are remote, we can monitor the house.

I bought one August door lock, and then my wife wanted me to buy August locks for the other two doors. If my wife likes what I've installed, then she uses it.

I started by building my own Garage Door Opener using a Raspberry Pi, then I moved to the MyQ. MyQ has sketchy integration with Echo. It works, but the integration is not very intuitive.

I had an existing Rainbird Sprinkler System, but wanted one that could be controlled remotely. OpenSprinkler is a charm. It is a very simple project. The directions are perfect and complete.

The sun in both Texas and Colorado is very intense. Smart Shades allow timed opening and closing, as well as voice command control through Amazon Echo. We use the Smart Shades every day.

I've worked in high tech for more than 40 years, and couldn't imagine why my colleagues had home networks and servers at home. I typically had one family computer, which later turned into several laptops, and Kindles, and eventually into more than 80 connected devices, which includes, TVs, light switches, servers, Wi-Fi Access Points, switches, and other home automation devices.

I upgraded to a PoE switch because I want to install front and back motion activated cameras powered by PoE.