Hi everyone
I am new here (and to HA) and hoping that someone might be able to help. I am trying to decide on what system to go with and had a lot of questions. Based on what I’ve researched so far, I’m most interested in these options:
[ul][li]Ninja blocks. I like their open-source approach, low cost, and what looks like an elegent and extensible rules engine. But my concern is that it may be too early and the system lacks a robust dev community and device support (in particular, not being able to use zwave devices easily)
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SmartThings. Seems like a good system, but not sure I?ll be able to easily create and manage the kinds of rules I want. I also am concerned about dependency on internet access, as this is for a house in the mountains with spotty internet
[/li][li]Vera Lite or Vera 3. I like the fact that it has what looks like a pretty robust community and lots of people using it. But people seem generally agreed that the UI is bad and can be difficult to use. I am also not sure if I need the lite or the v3.
[/li][li]I haven’t looked as much at other systems (insteon, homeseer, etc). most seem generally outdated and/or hard to use. Are they worth looking at?[/li][/ul]
My anticipated use is fairly straightforward. It would be for a vacation home that we sometimes rent.
General controls:
[ul][li]Door locks with temp passcodes enabled remotel
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Cameras, motion sensors, door sensors
[/li][li]“Startup” house on arrival (unlock doors, turn on heat, turn on lights, turn on hot tub, turn on water)
[/li][li]“Shutdown” house when empty (reverse of above)
alarm if activity w/o presence token?
[/li][li]Turn on ceiling fan when outside temp above 80
[/li][li]get text message each time visitor door code is used or door opens w/o passcode
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Hot tub:
[ul][li]manual on/off of pump and heat with 1 button remote
[/li][li]cycle pump (no heat) 30 mins twice a day
[/li][li]turn on heat and pump for 5 mins every half hour when air temp is below 32
[/li][li]turn off after 10 pm if no-one in area
[/li][li]I think all of this is fairly straightforward, but I?m sure I?ll want to expand and explore further once I have the basics
[/li][/ul]
some of the comoponents I am considering:
[ul][li]Intermatic CA3750 InTouch Wireless Multi-Volt 120-277VAC Contactor Module
[/li][li]Aeotec DSB05xxx-ZWUS Z-Wave Muliti Sensor, 2nd Edition
[/li][li]Kwikset 912 Z-Wave Tustin SmartCode Electronic Lever featuring SmartKey in Venetian Bronze
[/li][li]Vera Lite
[/li][/ul]
Is Vera a good choice and capable of handling that type of automation? Do people ever hire out expertise to help with installs remotely? (eg: I pay you to walk me through on the phone as I get it ordered and setup?)
Any comments are truly appreciated!!
Noah
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