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    Home Unlabelled Home Automation GE’s new smart switches and dimmers can be installed in almost any home: No neutral wire and no hub required

    Home Automation GE’s new smart switches and dimmers can be installed in almost any home: No neutral wire and no hub required

    January 02, 2020

    Home Automation GE’s new smart switches and dimmers can be installed in almost any home: No neutral wire and no hub required

    GE’s new smart switches and dimmers can be installed in almost any home: No neutral wire and no hub required

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 08:21 AM PST

    This guy is getting stills from random houses in his home hub!

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 01:03 PM PST

    I currently use Lifx but am tired of it constantly disconnecting from WiFi. Are there any downsides to switching to Hue?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 04:31 PM PST

    I've heard that Hue's bulbs are not as bright, but would this even be noticeable to me if I usually have my Lifx bulbs less than 75% brightness anyways? Are there any other downsides?

    submitted by /u/ChronoPsyche
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    HomeAssistant for Smart Home Business?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 10:09 PM PST

    Hi! I've been reading here and at /r/smarthome for a month now. I'm a software engineer and I've been planning to start my home automation business in our country but will be focusing on an open platform.

    My question is:

    1.) Since my first choice is HomeAssistant. Do you think it's better to offer on a regular consumer than OpenHab/HomeSeer/Hubitat? I'm not considering SmartThings since I wanted it to run locally and not to be internet dependent.

    2.) Do you think maintenance would be a horror for us as the installer since I've been reading a lot of troubleshooting going on since it's a DIY solution.

    3.) Do Savant/C4 or other professional system also have an option for a true automation like trigger to open lights on certain conditions like when it detected a person inside the room? or do they just have a remote control for all the smart devices that is connected to it?

    Note:

    I didn't choose a professional system to offer for the reasons:

    ​

    • It would be very expensive for my part to offer that product.
    • My target consumer is middle class - high class. Since I'm from the Philippines. Middle class is a much bigger market here than high class.
    • Open platform is much more flexible in terms of price and smart device options.
    • I'm not that familiar with professional system like Savant/C4 and not sure if they offer a true automation. From what i'm reading, it's not that very flexible

    Thank you in advance!

    submitted by /u/iamdarqueza
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    Lutron Caseta scenes with Google Home?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 11:23 PM PST

    Hi all, I've been putting together my HA system with lots of Caseta dimmers, Google Homes, and Hubitat. in general, things have been working very well between Google and the Lutron stuff, but one area I've struggled with is getting lutron's scenes to work correctly in Google Home.

    Specifically, the Lutron scenes show up in Google Home, but show up as light switches, and activating them on or off does nothing.

    Has anyone had any luck with this? I'm sure I could rig something up with Hubitat and a virtual light switch, but it just seems like this should work.

    Thanks in advance.

    submitted by /u/johnny5dm
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    Hue Essentials app Just released on iOS

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 01:37 PM PST

    My apologies if this is a repost. The Hue Essentials app was just released for iOS users (previously only available on Android).

    The app provides more advanced controls for your Phillips Hue devices, will allow you to control more than one bridge, and allows for easy pairing of 3rd-party Zigbee lights via "Touchlink".

    Previously, I utilized the app on Android and it was great. The iOS version seems to be delivering the same great features thus far.

    submitted by /u/AddyFap
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    Question on managing Schlage Connect from app

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 06:22 PM PST

    Just installed the lock. Now how do I control it via app? The Schlage app didn't allow me to choose the Connect model, only Sense and the other one. What gives?

    submitted by /u/cioccolato
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    Nest x Yale with Nest Detect

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 09:31 PM PST

    So i know that if you use the keypad to unlock the Yale lock it will disable the Detect, but will manually opening the lock set the alarm off? For example, alarm is set and someone breaks through the side windows of the door and unlocks the door from the inside. Would this set the alarm off?

    submitted by /u/coolhandz84
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    I tested a bunch of LED light bulbs with built in speakers including one that has Alexa built in. They pair perfectly with the new echo flex for a bathroom/shower speaker.

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 09:58 AM PST

    Trying to replace this with a smart bulb, is this a built in light? Is there a way for me to swap it for a standard bulb?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 11:18 AM PST

    Smart light bulbs & naturalistic lighting

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 07:35 AM PST

    I don't know the first thing about home automation but it seems like it's getting mature and affordable enough to be worth messing around with. All the advertising & all the smart bulbs I've seen mostly appear to have very bright colors like LED signage. Is configuring the lights to have the same sort of color temperature & depth as sunlight or incandescent bulbs also supported, or do they mostly emit on a single wavelength?

    Also, do LED smart bulbs emit light continuously when dimmed, or do they cycle on/off as many LED lights do? (You can notice this by shaking your head side-to-side in many places)

    submitted by /u/alankhg
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    Good ol' fashioned "dumb"-but-motion-detecting light switches?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 06:50 PM PST

    Have any of you guys experimented with just implementing good ol' fashioned motion-detecting "dumb" (non-wifi) light switches and such, and skipping all the wifi extras?

    I currently have:

    • Samsung Smartthings Hub
    • Yale Assure Locks x2
    • Smart plugs, smart speakers, smart roomba, etc.

    I still think for my main level and main living spaces (kitchen, living room, dining room, etc.) I will want to implement full-blown smart WiFi dimmer switches, etc. But I'm thinking for upstairs kids' rooms, bathrooms, etc., just having motion-detecting "dumb" (non-wifi) light switches. Instead of setting up a bunch of Smartthings motion sensors, programming the conditions, voice commands to smart speakers to turn off lights, etc., it'll just have all the needed automation fully baked right in.

    Anyone else implement a mixed-arrangement like this? Do you wish you had gone full-WiFi and smart solutions instead? Are the old fashioned motion-detection switches sufficient? etc.

    submitted by /u/Theomancer
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    Google Home - Confusion

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 11:29 AM PST

    Hey All!

    ​

    I've been getting my little Google Home set-up all squared away complete with some light switches, etc. It has been pretty cool so far but I have a few issues that I am having trouble figuring out. I was wondering if you guys could help! I have one Google Home Nest (Not the Big One) and Two Home Minis (1 1st Gen and 1 2nd Gen). Here are the some issues that I am having.

    ​

    1. When I stream on Spotify or NPR, it sometimes appears to get stuck on any of the speakers, like it is buffering but when I change to new content, seems to function fine. Further, it also seems to sometimes get stuck at a specific time spot on NPR almost daily but again, when switching to the next news content (even video) works fine. Could this just be an internet issue? The speakers that are closer to the AP appear to still have the issue.

    2. One of the light switches appears to work fine with the voice command but does not function as part of a routine. All the other devices seem to function fine as part of a routine.

    3. How well does a Sonos 1 Interact with Google Home.. does it work well? Any other speaker that you can recommend that would work well and still have excellent sound quality?

    4. Any other cool hardware or ideas that I may not know about that are worth checking out? Any word on when Netflix will start working on the Nest?

    Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

    ​

    Thanks All!

    submitted by /u/harv405
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    Google Home/Tuya garage opener

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 05:21 PM PST

    Ive installed a tuya/SmartLife controlled wifi garage door opener. Things work well enough in the tuya app, but when it comes to controlling the door through google home it keeps asking me for a security code.

    I've contacted Tuya on every available channel and met with stone cold silence.

    Has anyone else experienced this? I cannot for the life of me find where to set the security code. I've unlinked and relinked my tuya account thinking it might have been a part of that process but afraid not. Other apps I've seen have an interface to set a security code just not smart life/tuya.

    Cheers!

    submitted by /u/Tribute1999
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    Can I use Nest Hello motion detector to trigger events with other devices?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 11:16 AM PST

    I bought my first home a few months ago and I'm having fun with my home automation startup. I don't have much right now, but it's a work in progress.

    Currently, my main system is Google Home/Nest, so it's really voice commands and simple stuff, however I'll be getting a SmartHub soon and start doing more of the real automation.

    So I have a Nest Hello doorbell and I love it. I'm starting to think of ideas to secure my home, and I was wondering if and how I can use the Nest Hello to detect motion to trigger other device events. I'll probably want a light to turn on if it's a certain time of night, or maybe play an audible chirp or siren.

    I know if it's possible I may need to buy a hub or some other device, but that's why I'm coming to you guys who know way more than I do. Can you please let me know if this is possible and maybe the best way to execute this?

    Thanks and happy new year!

    submitted by /u/Digital_Agent
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    Smartthings and Google Home?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 11:08 AM PST

    Hi All,

    I've almost completed my smart home empire. I have:

    Google Home Minis/Hubs Nest E thermostat Nest x Yale lock (on the way, should be delivered soon) C by GE indoor light bulbs Phillips Hue outdoor flood lights for the back deck (required the Philips Hue bridge)

    1 frontier left to tackle: Samsung Smartthings. Only reason I want it is because I have the Galaxy Watch and it would be nice to initiate commands through that. I actually got it to work for the back lights being Phillips Hue, but need help with the indoor C by GE lights. How would I go about linking them to Google Home so I can control my home through SmartThings via my watch?

    I also have a Samsung smart TV and while it will let me control some TV aspects from Google Home and SmartThings, it won't power the TV on when it's off.

    My ultimate goal is to control everything from the Google Home app and Google Assistant voice control with the exception of Bixby voice control through my watch. Any help would be appreciated!

    submitted by /u/cavanaughnick
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    Smart Switches vs Smart Modules

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 12:30 PM PST

    I have been using z-wave for over 10 years. Ten of my home's switches are Intermatic HA20Cs which were picked up for <$15 a piece when Intermatic decided to close out of their z-wave line. I'm now looking to move to LED bulbs which means that I need to replace my old Z-wave switches.

    I'm trying to decide on if I should replace with smart switches or smart modules. Since the majority of my home is 3- or 4-way setups, I want to avoid anything that requires me to replace every switch in the setup with add-on switches.

    Is there a general consensus on if smart switches or smart modules is the "better" approach?

    I currently use on/off modules in places where I don't need dimming capability but I have never used a dimmable module. My understanding is that I'd loose the ability to dim at the switch unless I also replace the switch with a momentary contact switch. This would add to my cost but I can see eventually adding momentary contact switches to places where I feel I want dimming capability without needing to ask Alexa or Google. Can I mix and match momentary switches with standard switches in a module setup?

    Other considerations:

    • My entire home is toggle switches, which limits smart switch options. I could consider moving everything to decora/rocker switches but that would significantly increase my cost.
    • My home is in the New Jersey, USA and was built in 2001. I have neutral wires but they are not always in the boxes where I would want to control dimming.
    • I use openHAB so whichever solution I go with would need to be supported.
    • I still have a number of old z-wave outlets and other things which are old z-wave. Will this cause many issues?

    Thank you,

    B34N

    submitted by /u/markbean
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    Adding ikea smart switches disconnects hue bulbs

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 12:18 PM PST

    Question I have, I added a tradfri smart dimmer switch a whole back to the kids room to control the Hue colour bulb. It works fine but the bulb is no longer controllable or visable on the Hue bridge (v2 non Bluetooth). I thought maybe I messed up the setup, I recently got a tradfri on/off switch (the cheap ones with dimmer capability) and followed the YouTube installation instructions using hue essentials app to tie the switch to the Hue bulb in the spare room. Now seems same thing has happened, I can control it via the switch but now lost all control via the Hue apps.

    Any idea if this is intentional and they are not cross compatible?

    submitted by /u/theskillster
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    Mi home, Motion sensor - no turn off if no motion?

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 02:52 PM PST

    I bought my parents the MI home package which in all does what they need for the price, I personally will be using Phillips hue for motion as they have the option that this topic is about.

    Xiaomi mi home sensors/ aqara for the like, there is no way (unless i'm dumb) for the sensors to turn off if no activity.

    I have to set either -

    If motion turn on for x minutes

    Or

    if motion turn on

    then another that says

    Turn off every 2 minutes.

    ​

    First option can mean you walk past and it turns off which can be very irriatating.

    ​

    am I missing something or do they just suck?

    submitted by /u/Creatishh
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    LED lights, SonOff switches and power factor

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 10:56 AM PST

    Talking to a friend over the weekend he expressed concern over SonOff switches I am thinking of using to control a load of GU10 LEDs. He said that SonOff variants that used a triac (as compared to a relay) to switch the lights on and of may not work reliably if the power factor of the load was not reasonably close to unity.

    Has anyone come across this problem? Or can confirm any model of SonOff switch that has a relay-based switch?

    Also - any idea if the SonOff switches are okay operating in parallel with other switches (in particular, PIRs)?

    submitted by /u/hamacting
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    Help me find a sonoff mini ZigBee alternative

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 10:33 AM PST

    Sorry if this is a repeated questions but does anyone know of a device that has the same functionality as the sonoff mini that uses ZigBee opposed to WiFi

    submitted by /u/viktor_kaslik
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    I like Google Assistant, Siri and Shortcuts, but sometimes pushing a button is just easier, faster and more satisfying...

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 06:25 AM PST

    Installing Smart Switch or (Switches) on a Double-Gang Box

    Posted: 02 Jan 2020 01:13 PM PST

    Hello all, I have a question regarding smart switches and basic electric work. In my bedroom, I have a double gang light switch that controls my room light as well as the entrance to the attic above. Would I have to buy a double gang smart light switch for it (even though I have no intention on using it for the attic) or could I buy one smart switch meant for a single gang and use a regular switch for the attic? I'm thoroughly confused on this topic, but I don't see any information on it online. I have google assistant but I gonna pick it out once I know what I can and can't do. All the help is appreciated!!

    submitted by /u/AXXII_wreckless
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