Project 5 - HomeKit

(This Page is about 10 years old - it's funny how things have changed.)

This project has been happening in stages, and will likely be broken into 3-4 projects as we move forward. But this also sums up the mission statement of this blog - we want our new house to be largely automated, and controllable via iOS devices.

First, we added a Nest thermostat. It shares a similar "look and feel" with the Apple ecosystem, and it just looks cool.

We'll be adding a number of Nest Protect smoke alarms - both for the night-light capability, and because it will help our Nest determine whether we're home.

(UPDATE 2023) - Never got those Next smoke alarms - in fact, we moved to Ecobee thermostats in order to ensure HomeKit integration.)

Second, we added an ADT Pulse system, which allows us to turn our
security system on and off from the iPhone. It also has support for additional Z-Wave products, but we haven't done anything there beyond a single lamp.

(UPDATE 2023 - We've got a Ring Alarm Pro, which also works as our router. It's all tied into HomeKit with HomeBridge, which we have running on a QNAP NAS server.)

Third, we added a MyQ garage door opener. This is great, and has actually helped us out a few times.

We've been waiting for HomeKit for quite a while... it's starting to get a bit disheartening. Ideally, we could add Siri-controlled light switches, in the basement at the absolute minimum.

For the time being, our home automation has been non-HomeKit, typically running on individual apps.

(UPDATE 2023 - everything, for the most part, is working through the Apple Home app. Lutron Caseta light switches, Ring doorbell and cameras, some Hue bulbs, an August Wifi Smart Lock, some smart plugs from iDevices and Kasa that turn on white noise machines... all of our Sonos devices, and both of our garage doors.... at this point, EVERYTHING is going through HomeKit.)