So, I am in the process of leaving my old provider as the monthly subscription is too much and the system is so limited, I’ve been using a bridge to bring the sensors across to home kit. I’m in the process of refurbishing the whole house. By the time I’m finished there will be door sensors on all external door motion or present sensors on most rooms, at least 3 external cameras and internal cameras in communal areas, any tips on setting up the system and which devices to have live on which status? Home/away etc
The best way to think of any security set up is in terms of Perimeter/Outside and Interior. This is the way Aqara’s app will guide you in pairing alarm triggers (which can only be done in the Aqara app).
Anything Interior - internal doors, motion sensors, etc… you don’t want included in Home mode because you’ll set it off regularly.
Home Mode- Perimeter only (exterior doors, windows, outdoor cams).
Night Mode - You probably want to differentiate between Home and Night mode for when you’re sleeping. Maybe you like the windows opened during the day, but keep them closed at night.
Away Mode - Perimeter and Inside.
Also consider ways you can create overrides for a Guest Mode, like a virtual switch. You can use this conditionally in HomeKit so that you don’t accidentally run automations when you’re having a gathering.
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if you can cope with the learing curve home assistant is great, although their is a monthley fee for connecting away from home, but there is a free way to do it as well. Most people pay the cloud subscription though because of what home assistant does and it should allow you to link in many products. (it does have a built in bridge too). 99.9% of aqara products work in Home assistant.
For a self-managed HomeKit security setup during a refurbishment, focus on device compatibility. Choose sensors and cameras certified for HomeKit Secure Video to process recordings locally and avoid extra fees. Run all necessary power and data cables for cameras while the walls are open, even for battery-powered models, to allow for future changes.
Organize device status around your actual routines. Set the “Home” status to activate internal motion sensors and cameras in communal areas like hallways, but keep these devices inactive when you are moving around. Assign all perimeter sensors, external cameras, and internal motion detectors to the “Away” status. Create a separate “Night” scene that arms door and window sensors while turning off indoor cameras for privacy.
Your system can also manage daily routines. An automation to switch on certain lights at sunset improves security. For entertainment, you can use the Home app to check daily TV listings and schedule scenes that dim lights when you start watching movies.
I have just set up home assistant, but I am doing this very slowly, learning how to set up Zigbee, matter and Thread and slowly adding all my devices before I even attempt to learn how to do automations, this is my 3rd attempt at HA and I tried to do to much at once and got lost!
Hello, please tell me why you don’t use Aqara Home?
All the settings and flexibility in one system completely suits me. The question is simply out of curiosity.
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I’ve not ruled it out, I’m just asking advice on the best way to set it up
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