homeassistant

18517 readers

20 users here now

Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first.
Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts.

Home Assistant can be self-installed on ProxMox, Raspberry Pi, or even purchased pre-installed: Home Assistant: Installation

Discussion of Home-Assistant adjacent topics is absolutely fine, within reason.
If you're not sure, DM @GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk

greatalbatross@lemmy.world

Thoughts on Philips Hue Lights (midwest.social)

submitted 4 months ago by dumples@midwest.social to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I am a dabbler in home automation and thinking about starting to get into lighting. I have heard mostly good things about the Philip Hue line and wanted to see what peoples thoughts are about it.

Our main current automation are a large number of Google Smart Speaker and Arlo video doorbells. Everything is working now on the Google ecosystem which I think Philip Hue will connect with. Our house is 100 years old which means that our possibilities to automate are lower than a new home since we have very few overhead lights, power outlets are at a premium (we have lots of power strips running through the house).

We are thinking about doing smart bulbs in some lamps which we can leave on and a chandalier. I think the biggest issue will leaving things always powered on.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] dumples@midwest.social 1 points 4 months ago (2 children)

We don't have neutrals anywhere except the kitchen which have a GFI which ground at the outlet. The rest of the wiring is very old. I have installed new light fixtures and there are no ground anywhere. Almost all have the larger gauge older wiring and some don't have a white or black wire. (That is really fun to try to figure out what black wire is hot and which one is neutral). I am thinking smart switches will be out.

We have considered having an electrican to install more outlets and set up grounds for the main floor. Its just kind of expensive and would rather spend it elsewhere for now.

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I would really recommend fixing the wiring before investing any money in home automation.

Don't build advanced sensitive low voltage systems on top of shaky high voltage systems that can melt and destroy them. Not having enough outlets because of old shoddy wiring is inconvenient when you can't plug stuff in and waste time running extension cords, it's expensive because you end up buying that much copper to run extension cords, it's expensive because shoddy wiring can easily fry electronics, and it's tragic and expensive when it burns your house down.

[–] dumples@midwest.social 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

We want to upgrade the electrical but you are talking about a couple of grand if not more to replace everything. It is on our to do list.

[–] masterspace@lemmy.ca 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Yes, I know, do that, or save to do it sooner, or see if you can get low interest financing to do it.

There's a difference between 'oh this house's outlets are mounted lower than code says these days', and 'most of the house is missing a core safety wire that's been part of the code for 50 years'.

[–] dan@upvote.au 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

If there's no ground then I'd immediately contact an electrician and get a quote to replace all the wiring. The existing wiring is likely unsafe, especially with the amount of power pulled by modern devices (old electrical wiring wasn't designed with that much power usage in mind!)

Also get them to take a look at the main electrical panel and ensure it's okay.

My house was built in the 1960s, but the wiring was redone at some point by a previous owner. The 100 amp main panel was still original though, and it was a brand that was known for issues. I had it replaced with a new 200 amp panel.

[–] dumples@midwest.social 2 points 4 months ago

We have check the main electrical panel multiple times and its up to code and safe. That was redone when the previous owner did the basement. We had people out to install heat pumps and they had enough power. We are thinking about getting the wiring redone on the mainfloor but haven't got around to it..