As a newcomer to the world of smart home automation, I’ve been diving into Hubitat to create a more integrated and efficient system. My journey began with setting up some basic automations using the devices I already had, but I quickly realized the potential for something more substantial.
One of the key reasons I chose Hubitat is its ability to run systems locally, eliminating the reliance on cloud servers. This was a major concern for me after experiencing issues with my Alexa hub losing connectivity. The idea of having a customizable dashboard on an old iPad Air in my kitchen is incredibly appealing, especially for controlling DIY security locks and other devices without needing voice commands.
However, I’ve encountered a challenge with my current setup—all my devices are Wi-Fi based, and I’ve learned that Hubitat doesn’t directly support them. I’ve read about using virtual switches to trigger Alexa routines, but this still ties me to the cloud. Replacing all my devices with Zigbee ones isn’t feasible right now, so I’m exploring other options, like accessing devices via LAN.
If anyone has experience with similar setups or alternative solutions, I’d love to hear your insights! The goal is to create a seamless, locally managed system that’s both reliable and user-friendly.
Looking forward to learning more and sharing my progress as I continue this exciting journey into smart home automation.