Lessons learned - what would you do differently if you were to start from scratch?

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Konnected.io as others have suggested. Personally, I'm content with HSM, it's far superior to SHM on SmartThings. I live in a multidwelling property which I own, there's always someone on premises at all hours, so security isn't a huge concern to me. Still, HSM still could use a bit of added polish, including minor things like homepage status in the admin UI.

I think I've have virtually every leak sensor on the market in the past 5 years (j/k) including Everspring/Utilitech Z-Wave, as well as several PeQ, Iris v2, SmartThings v4, & SmartThings 2018, all Zigbee. The PeQ's seem to eat batteries the fastest. I like the 2018 SmartThings model as it has a collection "cup" on the top cover to detect water dripping onto it. It still has the contact on the bottom too. The Z-Wave sensors are my second choice as they have a remote probe on a 10' cable which allows you to hide the radio portion in a cabinet. Battery life is a couple years on the things too.

I've heard rumors that Google is limited access to the Nest developer program which may limit your ability to integrate these into Hubitat. For me anything Google & HA related are a non-starter due to privacy issues. I'm also bitter over how they handled the Revolv shutdown.

This is one area I wish I could have a do-over, but with investments in 8 Z-Wave locks, it is not financially worth it. My experience has convinced me that Z-Wave is just not the optimal protocol for locks. Zigbee locks always seem to be more responsive and less prone to disconnections. There was a Youtube video posted a few years ago comparing the same Yale lock against itself by changing just the radio modules.

I've never used Lutron, but this is another case where if I had it to do over I would go Lutron. I've recently had a rash of GE Z-Wave switch failures (3 in 6 months), all purchased at the same time 4 years ago. I've never had issues with the performance of Z-Wave switches, but do think the Caseta line is more aesthetically appealing.

The Ecobee has been a winner for me, So much so, that I put them in my rentals too. The API is persnickety so 3rd party integrations can be irritating, but I like how reliable it is at doing its core functions. The one in my place is about 1 1/2 years old and has never let me down.

I'm watching this thread for recommendations. I don't have any but will be replacing some window treatments this year.

The Utilitech/Everspring sirens have always been reliable for me. They're not very loud compared to wired sirens, but they fit the bill.

Link bulbs suck. Individual mileage may vary, but the consensus is usually to avoid them.

I like Hue myself. I personally don't want a bunch of WiFi light buts clogging up my WiFi mesh, I've already got over 50 wireless devices as it is. I've noticed the Hue bulbs don't play nice with Hubitat and try to connect to the hub even if the hub is not in Inclusion, requiring me to use a Hue remote to reset them,

I have a huge Arlo investment, but I'm starting to regret it. If I was to do it again, I'd use Blueiris as a back end, and some cheap PoE cameras from Amazon. I think I'd get better quality for less money.

Good luck with your new place!

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+1,000,000 for this.

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I actually have this setup now. My wife LOVES cameras and our tiny, 1200 sq ft house has 14 POE cameras running right now on an Amcrest POE DVR. I have nearly all the options turned off there and use BI for recording and motion alerts. Granted, I have a 4TB drive in the Amcrest just in case BI (or the crappy PC I'm running it on) dies. I've been working on transitioning over to an app called Shinobi (which can run on one or more RPis) to replace BI, but it's been slow going.

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This is ultimately why I'm considering standalone security. It's a combination of UI along with very small but occasional issues with using a hub and zwave and zigbee sensors, just hasn't sat well with us. This isn't exclusive to Hubitat or HSM by any means - but it's the one area where I don't want to think twice about reliability or whether sensors are communicating propertly.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, a security system certainly doesn't make a house more resistant to break-ins, but realistically, the only thing that would are steel doors and boarded up windows. This is more for our own safety in the middle of the night, and peace of mind knowing that if someone breaks into the basement two floors down, I know about it and have some time to react.

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True. To be honest, the cameras that are mounted in plain sight on the front and back of my house do much more to deter break-ins than any security system ever would or could. Basically, I use motion, contact, and water leak sensors for automation more than for security purposes. Using the BI integration to HE, I can trigger one of my exterior Dome sirens should someone trip my back yard cameras.

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On Nest, NST manager is now available on Hubitat.

I like Nest's because of the integration of the thermostat with the smoke detectors, etc, and the automations that are available. Below does not require you to have your own account.

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Good grief!

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At least my WAF is 100% (in regards to the cameras). So, there's that, right? :wink:

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Absolutely!!

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Choices are all about time vs. cost vs. performance. In the current evolving environment my rule of thumb is to try to make sure there is more than 1 point of control. For better or worse, spending more $ will get you more capability.

The best performing lighting controls are Lutron (Caseta or RadioRA 2). Go RadioRA 2 for highest capabilities. The Maestro style switches work like their non-smart cousins. A single button with dim/bright bar is aesthetically better for many people than a 4 button Caseta control. One can set default on levels and dim rates that are not possible on Caseta. RA 2 also has physical multi button keypads that work well. And the motion sensors work well too. The downside is RadioRA2 cost is 2x Caseta. If you can, add neutrals, but both RadioRA 2 and Caseta have non-neutral dimmers.

The next level are Z-Wave dimmers/switches. The Levitions perform well and have good aesthetics (up, down, dim/bright bar). Some people like the GE dimmers, but I don't understand :).

For monitored Security I'd go with a system from a security vendor especially with wired devices. Konnected has a product that can at least monitor status in HE.

Smoke and CO detectors - I've had good success with Nest. But I heed the cost advice from @JasonJoelOld. Depending on the detector count it's easy to spend a lot on the Nest.

Themostat the HVAC world is evolving quickly. The more complex systems (2 stage, variable fans) don't usually work with 3rd party thermostats including Nest or Ecobee. I have a Rheem system that does integrate with HE, but it's a programmable, not smart, thermostat. To get presence and other "smarts" you need to program rules in HE.

Door locks I don't have one now, but I have a Yale on order. You can run Z-wave, ZigBee, or August modules in the same lock. I'm going with August as its app is best and it also includes HomeKit capability. HomeKit automations can trigger a virtual switch back to HE for any automation via HomeBridge.

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If you could start a “How To” thread on this it would be amazing!

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I have had an overall very good experience with Zebra blinds; they have had a couple active threads on the ST forum for years now, usually with discount codes that help a bit with the sticker shock. I believe their shades are basically the same thing as the Bali blinds, at least in terms of motor and z-wave module.

I use AA lithium batteries in both roller and cellular shades, I have automations that open and close each shade every day, and I’d estimate I get about six months per set of (eight) AA batteries. Definitely long enough that I don’t find myself grumbling about getting on a ladder to replace the damn shade batteries yet again.

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LOL, I don't know if a HowTo thread is really needed. What I did was use Alexa Blueprints and chose the At Home > Houseguest skill as a base. From there, I just sat down and wrote out a script of all the various remotes, button controllers, motion controllers, and voice commands and entered them into the skill. It's actually REALLY easy to do.

I also started a supplemental one using the Custom Q&A as that one doesn't require the use of a "start" or "open" command. The only problem with the Custom Q&A skill is that the question has to be asked EXACTLY as typed. So, one person may say "How do I turn on the kitchen lights?" and another may ask the same question entirely differently.

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Thanks! That’s enough of a How To for me! :yum:

I have read about all that before, but I was being a bit lazy and preoccupied, it’s nicer when someone can just give you Clif notes or point you in the right direction quickly.

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Whatever you choose, I still personally believe in keeping this separate. I really like the Abode (although not what I own). Nest secure is off the list for me. No integration with Ring (it is not integrated with HE), but there's potential through AVS at some point. No guarantees though. It might be too early if you're looking for an integrated solution. However, not having much more than arm and disarm integration isn't such a bad thing in my opinion.

It would be Flo if I were starting from scratch. Not integrated, but like break-in security, that's one I'm OK with it just doing its job. Doesn't need to be integrated, as long as the leak is stopped immediately and I'm notified. That's Flo, more than any other available.

Nest Protect. Hands down winner. I have four of them.

Schlage is one of those brands that people recognize, but unless you're buying the higher grade from a locksmith, you're getting equal quality to anything else you can buy on Amazon or in a big box store. I really like my Yale YRD256 and so does my Hubitat Elevation hub. I would not buy any different. Traditional NA deadbolts are not secured from aggressive break-in. So you might as well get a really nice lock, that works well with Hubitat. They're great for your convenience. Forget about them for strong security. Haven is the only secure choice available in NA and it's Bluetooth only. Does not integrate with HE.

This is the hardest one to answer. I have a mix of options, and they all work well. I prefer the Hue Integration and compatible bulbs with Pico. I would definitely rewire the house with neutrals if it's in the budget. That issue isn't going to get better. Not having neutral wires will be more and more challenging as time goes on. I'd suggest fixing the biggest issue first. Then you have less limits to your options

I'm an Ecobee 3 user since 2015. Love it. Don't care about not having full integration or wanting to change how their system works. Happy with the simple overrides. You sensing a theme with how I think? It does what it should, and does it well. I don't need to control it beyond temporary schedule overrides.

If you have budget for anything more than the upcoming IKEA Fyrtur and Kadrilj, I would instead shift it to the cost of upgrading the electrical wiring, unless you have budget for both. The only place I want block-out IKEA shades, it will cost me a lot more and will need multiple shades cut down because they aren't offering a single shade large enough.

Arlo is a quality camera. I'm happy with just Wyze though, so not really the right person to comment on them. Sirens and Keypads go back to my previous comment about security systems and my opinion that they should be stand-alone. I'm not saying Hubitat isn't capable, I just prefer the purpose built solution for this.

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I'm going to avoid writing what you predict the reason I'm replying. However, this is a response I've never seen regarding the Protect. Completely opposite of my experience, vs the traditional models. Were these the wired type or battery? I have battery.

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All hard wired.

I went through 15 of them, all from different manufacturing batches and different vendors (some bought retail, some replacements straight form Nest). Out of the 15, over a year 5 of them started false alarming at various times - including one of the replacement ones Neat sent me.

While I've found a few other reports out there of similar false alarm issues (and not on the v1, but the current version). I agree that my experience does seem to be in the vast minority.

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Reminds me of this video.

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:rofl: My iSmart Alarm spot sent me a smoke alarm detected notification while watching that video!

So it's interesting to note that he also has the wired type. So maybe if there is an issue in the wiring, then it’s the reason why these are a problem for a small number of people. His is still communicating with the others even though it's disconnected because of thread. The others are reacting to the fault from the kitchen unit just as they are supposed to. No idea why the kitchen unit is still going off in his video, even though it's not connected, but being interconnected by wire is the commonality here.

Maybe there's an issue if you have a certain number that those of us with fewer units don't experience? Or maybe it doesn't happen with the battery units, and it's strictly an issue with the wired units that Nest has never been able to resolve because they can't duplicate it.

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At this point it doesn't really matter to me.

If they were 100% issue free I still wouldn't buy them. Why? The value they add (which is arguable anyway) isn't worth the cost over a traditional detector + HA integration. If they cost 1/2 what they do, maybe I would think about it - but probably still wouldn't buy them.

But we're getting off topic. :smile:

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