After spending my first week with Homey, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences. As an IT professional with a background in infrastructure, I’ve always been curious about home automation but never fully committed until now. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
1. The Learning Curve
While I’m not a coder, I’ve been surprised by how accessible Homey is. The interface is intuitive, and I’ve managed to set up flows without diving too deep into the technicalities. However, I do wish the web interface still had the left-to-right logic from earlier versions—it would make complex flows easier to visualize.
2. Integration with Other Systems
One of the standout features is how seamlessly Homey integrates with other platforms like Harmony, Sonos, and Alexa. I’ve even connected it to HomeKit, which was a breeze. The ability to control my Somfy blinds directly through Homey has been a game-changer, especially since I was looking for a more affordable alternative to the Somfy Tahoma system.
3. Zones and Automation
Zones have been a lifesaver for simplifying motion controls. For example, I’ve set up a zone in my living room where lights turn on when there’s activity and off after a minute of inactivity. While I’d love more flexibility in timing options, the current setup works well for my needs.
4. Presence Detection and Virtual Switches
Presence detection has been almost flawless, which is great for automating lights and heating based on who’s home. I’ve also created a virtual switch for vacation mode, which I plan to expand on in the future.
5. Flows and Scenes
Replacing scenes with flows and buttons has been a smooth transition. I’ve built around 30 flows so far, and I’m excited to share some of the more interesting ones with the community soon.
6. Dashboard and Customization
While I’m happy with the Homey dashboard, I’m considering using Home Assistant for more advanced customization. The community’s efforts with HomeyDash are commendable, but I’m eager to explore more options.
7. Zigbee Performance
I’ve noticed some instability with Zigbee devices, particularly with certain bulbs disconnecting from the network. I’m thinking of attaching them to hubs or using external antennas as a workaround.
8. Overall Thoughts
Homey is a powerful tool with a lot of potential. It’s not perfect, but it’s far from being just another home automation solution. The learning curve is worth it, and I’m excited to see how it evolves in the coming weeks and months.
If you’re on the fence about trying Homey, I’d say go for it. The community support and regular updates make it a worthwhile investment. I look forward to sharing more insights and tips as I continue my journey with Homey!
Happy automating! 