Seeking Advice on Smart Home Setup and Integration

Hi everyone, I’m diving into the world of smart home automation and I’m eager to get some advice from the community. I’ve been researching different systems and devices, but I’m a bit overwhelmed with all the options out there. Here’s what I’m considering:

First, I’m thinking about setting up a system that can handle multiple protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi. I’ve heard great things about OpenHAB, but I’m not sure if it’s the best fit for my needs. I’d love to hear from others who have experience with OpenHAB and how they manage different devices within the same ecosystem.

Another thing I’m curious about is integrating third-party devices, especially ones that aren’t natively supported by my hub. For example, I have a few Adax Wi-Fi heaters, and I’d love to control them through my smart home system. Does anyone know of any workarounds or community-developed solutions for this?

I’m also looking into expanding my Zigbee network. I’ve read that certain devices can act as repeaters, but I’m not sure which ones are reliable. I’d appreciate any recommendations on Zigbee range extenders that have worked well for others.

Lastly, I’m trying to figure out the best way to manage my smart home rules and automations. I’ve heard about WebCore and its flexibility, but I’m not entirely sure how to get started with it. Any tips or resources would be incredibly helpful.

I’m really excited to get started, but I want to make sure I’m making the right decisions from the beginning. Thanks in advance for your insights and advice! Looking forward to hearing from you all.