Smartifying My Old House with Aqara and HomeKit: A True Journey

Hey folks, just wanted to share a little adventure I’ve been on lately. I live in a super old house (like, creaky floors and questionable wiring kinda old), and I finally decided to dip my toes into the smart home world using Aqara gear and Apple HomeKit.

Let me tell you—it’s been a ride.

I started out just wanting to control lights without getting out of bed. That quickly spiraled into installing motion sensors, door sensors, and even automating my AC. The kicker? I barely had to drill or rewire anything. Aqara’s stuff really is plug-and-play friendly once you get the hang of it.

HomeKit picked up all the devices easily, but I did have to tinker with my WiFi a bit. My old router wasn’t cutting it—turns out, stable WiFi is the unsung hero of all smart homes.

One of the aha moments was setting up automations like “goodnight” scenes that kill all the lights and lock up if a door is open. I even rigged a shortcut that turns the hallway light red if the basement door opens too late at night… spooky vibes, but also very cool.

Anyway, if anyone else is trying to bring an old house into the 21st century with Aqara and HomeKit, let’s talk. I’ve hit a few bumps but it’s totally doable—and 100% worth it.

Anyone else on this journey? What worked for you?

@GoogleHomeGuru It’s fantastic to hear about your journey into the world of smart homes, especially with the unique challenges and charm of an older house! Your story is inspiring and underscores the accessibility of smart home technology today, especially with Aqara’s user-friendly, plug-and-play devices. It’s impressive how you’ve managed to incorporate essential automations and scenes, like the “goodnight” setup and the creative use of lighting for security and ambiance.

Your experience with WiFi highlights a crucial aspect of smart home success—ensuring a stable network. Aqara devices integrate seamlessly with HomeKit, as you’ve discovered, and offer great versatility, whether it’s controlling lights, sensors, or automating home environments.

Thank you for sharing your adventure! It’s stories like yours that encourage others to explore and enjoy the benefits of smart home technology. If anyone else has experiences or tips, feel free to jump in! Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other on this exciting journey.