I’ve been on a quest to retrofit my existing venetian blinds with smart functionality, and I thought I’d share my journey and findings with the community. My goal was to find a solution that integrates seamlessly with Hubitat (Z-Wave/Zigbee) without needing an additional hub, and also works with Google Home. Plus, I wanted something that could both raise/lower and tilt the blinds—a feature that seems surprisingly hard to find!
The Search Begins
I started by researching existing solutions and came across several options:
- Sunsa Wand: This seemed promising, but I was unsure about its integration capabilities with Hubitat.
- iBlinds: Another option, but I wasn’t clear on the setup process or compatibility.
- Movez: Unfortunately, this was sold out, which was a bit disappointing.
- MySmartBlinds Kit: Also sold out, so I had to keep looking.
Exploring Other Options
While the above options were my initial picks, I decided to dig deeper. I stumbled upon a few lesser-known solutions that might fit the bill:
- Zelos Smart Blinds: This brand offers a retrofit kit that supports both raising/lowering and tilting. It’s Z-Wave compatible, which is a big plus for me.
- Perfect Shade: Another brand that caught my eye. They offer a range of retrofit kits with Zigbee support, which is great if you’re already in the Zigbee ecosystem.
Testing and Integration
I decided to go with the Zelos Smart Blinds kit for a couple of reasons: its compatibility with Z-Wave and the fact that it supports both raising/lowering and tilting. The installation process was straightforward, and the integration with Hubitat was seamless. I was able to set it up within a couple of hours, and it’s been working like a charm ever since!
Tips for Others
If you’re considering a similar retrofit, here are a few tips:
- Check Compatibility: Ensure the solution you choose is compatible with your ecosystem (Z-Wave, Zigbee, etc.).
- Read Reviews: Don’t just rely on product descriptions; read user reviews to get a sense of real-world performance.
- Plan for Tilt Functionality: If this is important to you, make sure the solution you choose supports it. Not all do!
- Consider Automation: Think about how you want to automate your blinds. Do you want them to adjust based on sunlight, time of day, or manually via voice commands?
Final Thoughts
Finding the right smart blinds solution was a bit of a challenge, but it was well worth the effort. The ability to control my blinds via Hubitat and Google Home has added a whole new level of convenience to my home. I hope this guide helps others navigate the process more smoothly!
If anyone has other solutions or tips, I’d love to hear about them. Happy retrofitting! 