Building a Smart Home

Home Tech Home Automation & IoT
1

Thread 2/n

Link to previous thread: Deciding the Network Layout for a Home

Smart Home

This one’s a bit complicated, I am not exactly sure on how this will work, But I know that I want to go with a diy approach to this.. I asked my contractor, he was against the idea stating the suppliers quote approx. Rs.15 Lakhs for a smart home, my immediate response was no.

I did some digging on the internet and apparently, he was referring to hardwired smart home solutions like KNX, Crestron etc. Under this, it would smartify every single thing in the house, while it sounds amazing, and I can probably get cheaper quotes from multiple vendors, the problem is the maintenance, I don’t think products that fall under these protocols are readily available, and I would be dependent on some contractor for life for every tiny problem I may face, also, apart from the initial cost being high, I feel ongoing costs would be high too as each light that fails would have to be replaced by the same expensive stuff, and it would add up to a lot in the long run.. I don’t wish to go that route..

Let’s go step by step:

1. Controller/Hub

I am not able to decide whether I should just use home assistant or go with an off the shelf solution..

Tbh I am a bit inclined towards Homey Pro, considering it has many benefits over a home assistant instance, like support for all wireless protocols like z wave, zigbee, thread, bluetooth, infrared etc.. Yes I know zigbee and z wave are almost non-existent in India but thread is probably going to gain popularity considering matter is starting to take off, I am not sure, but one can hope..

Homey also has support for a self-hosted instance, but the software alone costs $150, plus I’ll have to get a bridge to enable functionality like Bluetooth, infrared etc.. I might as well just get the homey pro at that point?

Also off the shelf means, it is just ready to go, no complicated setup, and no complicated setup for google assistant (hopefully), I was looking at home assistant documentation, and it has a very complicated setup for google assistant.. Here: https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/google_assistant/

2. Controller Display

Is there even a need for a display? If yes, what should I go with?

I was wishing to have an iPad with a 3d printed wall mount, but idk if it makes much sense..

But let’s assume if I go ahead with this idea, or some other android tablet as wall mounted, what should be done to preserve the battery and display, for display I was guessing tap to wake would be good for the display, but for the battery, is it still possible to remove the battery completely and run it of the wall directly or is it no longer a thing? The other option I was think of was using a smart plug and set an automation to charge it automatically 20-80?

Or should I go with something that goes on a table, like a nest hub, echo show? Or an “apple hub” apparently, they’re working on one? Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/22/homepod-with-display-ios-26/

3. Lights/Fans/Switches

First things first, should I go for Smart switches, dumb lights OR Smart lights, dumb switches OR Smart switches, Smart Lights?

I found quite a few smart switch brands, many are available on amazon too..

https://smartnode.in/smart-touch-panel/

https://smartiqo.com/glass-panel-switches/

The problem with them is these are touch panels, I like the normal modular switch, Is there any such clicky smart switch available?

As for lights, this is a bit complicated, should I go for normal ceiling led lights? Or should I go with some lights that have temperature control? I have heard that warm white lights are better during the evening/night? Also, I don’t think I’ll ever use it that way, but most smart switches feature dimming, but do all led lights support dimming? Or are those also some specific lights? Should I just go for normal white ceiling lights and use warm white profile lights and use them both with a smart switch?

As for fans, same question, is a smart switch good, or should I go for a smart fan? Please don’t suggest atomberg, I had very poor experience with them..

4. Other Appliances

What about other appliances like ac, fridge? Is there any benefit of purchasing these with smart capabilities? I have a washing machine which is smart, it pings when the cycle is complete and reminds me of other stuff, like descaling.. that is actually useful..

What about cleaning appliances, are they of any use at all in Indian homes? Like dishwasher robot vacuums etc.?

5. Blinds and Curtains

This is probably the most important one.. And probably the most expensive one.. Are there any good vendors for customised motorized blinds and curtains?

Most solutions available online seem to be converter kits? If that makes sense? Like they add a separate device that controls normal blinds..

This is what I found from jakkuh’s recent yt video, it has an extreme level of customisation:

https://www.smartwingshome.com/products/smartwings-motorized-roller-shades-100-blackout-essential

6. Door Lock

Multiple smart door locks are available these days, with urban clap one having the most features, just one question, are they safe? They look heavy as compared to normal door locks, but I am not sure if the build quality and safety is as high as it looks like..

7. Other accessories

In order to automate some stuff like washroom lights, motion sensors can be used, tp link tapo sensors are readily available on amazon, these can be used to automate washroom lights, maybe even automate air conditioners if there are no occupants.. I can just use a smart plug for air conditioner on/off if the ac’s are not smart..

The problem is motion sensors are battery powered, both tp link and Philips, idk if wall powered ones are available at a reasonable price abroad, I can probably get someone to bring some stuff for me, so If I find any good cheap wall powered motion sensors, I’ll update here, or if anyone knows of any such device, pls share..

One thing I need all the appliances to support home assistant and/or homey.. If anyone knows particular brands of appliances that are supported by ha/homey, pls leave a comment..

I had to mention this because I know for a fact that a lot of stuff that’s available in India isn’t supported by either of the two..

TP Link Archer C24 Router
2

@sato1986 might have few ideas.

1 Like
3

Do you already have ethernet connectivity across all the places you intend to smartify? My place doesn’t so I kinda sorta gave up a bit.

You could use PoE for powering of these things.

Cameron Gray over on YT has a great selection of vids on specific hardware that he used.

Shouldn’t cost anywhere near 15L, lol. That’s a ripoff.

4

First, I think you need to set the requirements, like what smart features do you need. Is it the basic turn on/off or say for lights do you need dimming or colour change. Personally, I prefer just turn on/off control for say light and fan in each room. In addition, maybe smart control for AC and geyser.

I am a fan of Shelly products, you can take a look if it interests you. There are small controller units which fit inside the switch box, you get smart control plus the regular two way physical switches. Aesthetically all physical switches would remain the same in this case.

5

I will link you to home automation India’s discord server

Join and introduce to gain access all of you queries have already been answered there

1 Like
6

Will be getting that as well, we were discussing it here recently: Deciding the Network Layout for a Home

Will check him out, thanks!

Apparently it does cost that much, hardwired solutions like knx can reach those costs..

7

That was one of my queries actually, do normal led lights support dimming? Or do I require specific lights that support “dimming”? Because most smart switches support dimming by themselves, I just don’t know if normal leds are capable of that functionality..

Geysers are actually not required to be smart.. There’s something new in market called “Tankless Geysers”, you do not have to wait for them to heat up, even if I end up going with normal ones, then I’ll pick smart ones!

I’ll have a look, thanks for sharing!

8

Thank you so much!

Never used discord for anything other than voice chat, didn’t know there are communities here :sweat_smile:

9

Nope, they don’t.

Certain ones might but most don’t natively.

1 Like
10

If you do decide on something, please document everything and share your experiences in both networking your house and home automation. Write a post here outlining everything or better, make a video. Not too long, just what did you used, any pitfalls etc, and total cost. All the best.

11

Ohh okay

Will find some with the dimming feature and then I’ll do a price comparison..

Will watch the video in the evening, thanks!

12

Will do that for sure, but it’s a long af project, 1-2 years from now.. I’ll try to document everything on each step, more like a journal/wiki, but even that will be started atleast 6 months from now, I’m gathering as much information as I can till that time..

It would certainly help as much others can add to my current information, that’s why I am creating such detailed posts, so that everyone can add their thoughts on each step..

That way, by the end of this, there will be enough information available for anyone to replicate!

2 Likes
13

Thank you for quoting :slight_smile:

In Automation ISE 2026 February Barcelona (Integrated System Europe) had a fantastic leap in innovation.

We are seeing alot of Collaborations in international giants making their systems communications seamless with one anther.

For first time we are giving Wired DALI, Curtain, Ac and Wireless Curtain Ac lighting and much more in a single 3D platform.

Can share videos to explain better. Can DM me and we can whstapp for much in depth details.
Also we have collaborated with teams across major cities in india to provide good onsite support, remote support etc.

Regards
Sato1986

14

Since we are lighting consultants and suppliers. Let me brief you about lighting.

Dimming is of many types: (best to worst)

  1. DALI DT8
  2. Dali Dt6
  3. Phase-cut/Triac/Analog/Pwm OR Zigbee
  4. BT /WIFI

Lighting dimming is essential function since inception.
Our clients hate the lights just turn ON at 100% in millisecond and blast their eyes.

So we program it to turn from 0-70 (or desired brightness) in 3 seconds or 5 seconds or 10 seconds.

Turning them off also happens gradually.

Then comes HCL (Human centric lighting)
This makes the Led lighting correspond to sunlight cct.
3000k-5500k-3000k cycle automation

15

I didn’t get you, are you a contractor, supplier, or manufacturer?

Edit: My bad I didn’t read the next post and replied directly..

Are these protocols that require dedicated hardware to run, I have only heard of zigbee and I know controllers are available for that,

Is this all running on a dedicated home automation wired network? KNX/Crestron stuff?

This is something I similar to what I was asking in op..

What brands manufacture such lights (Dimmable and temp control)

And what’s the life of such lights, and how easy it is to find replcements

16

Don’t want to cut your thread but I too want to go full smart homes in my next home.

There was a great helpful thread on this topic here somewhere during 2023 or maybe a year± and someone offered me to provide the baseline and advance guidance whenever I wish to plan but I’m not able to find that members pm at all nor the thread else I would have pulled that person here.

I wont exactly spill the beans right now as to what I’m looking for.

But what I understand is, we need to do all the network wiring as per the blueprint you got in mind along with the electrical wiring etc. right post the construction but before installation of common switches/(smart or normal ones)/power backup/isp/power points/future points etc. and be ready with the infra before getting into the core network layouts, equipments (royuters/swicthes) and then the final configuration in the app followed by multiple test/trails, syncs, pairings etc. This is essential to avoid digging through the walls and outlets post final house paint and finalization before the GO Live segment.

I maybe wrong in my assumptions so do correct me.

I believe that if I plan it today the implementation will be easier few yrs down and the advancement of AI might even ease the existing challenges if any.

17

Homey Pro is good. Where do you plan to get it?

Also TPlink do have zigbee, matter etc all in one hub as well if you wanna check.

18

No, You are correct, from my understanding, this is the order

In wall networking>Networking equipment(Switches etc)> Smart home stuff (Wall switches, lights, blinds, hubs)> Nas/servers> Gaming pc/consoles/TV’s/Streaming Boxes

Yes, even I am doing all this stuff well in advance, actual implementation will start 6-8 months from now..

19

USA, from a relative.. Unless ofc trump unkil does some new bs..

Can u share link, I doubt I’ll go with it, but still no harm in checking it out..

1 Like
20

Can this be used in homes for automation? idk about it much.

https://www.siemens.com/en-us/products/logo/