The Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI from Ecovacs integrations are also through the cloud, but it is a robot vacuum well worth to take a look at, it works really well and is a worthy alternative to the iRobot vacuums. There’s some good comparative reviews on YT. The mop-functionality is supposed to also be good, but I have never used that feature on my unit so can’t say anything about that part.
There’s a type of local integration as well, but I have yet to test it and as such don’t know how well it works with the T8 model since it is not specified as a supported model:
Hard wire, hard wire, hard wire! when you can use hard wired devices do use them ,and pull MANY extra cables! make certain to have power at all the right places, like above windows for curtains/blinds/shutters… PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!
Other thoughts
smart washer and dryer would be cloud based and not sure of the price increase but making non smart washer and dryer smart and local is fairly cheap just adding a power smart plug for the washer and a vibration sensor for the dryer. I modded mine for USB power. I hate changing batteries.
I only use mine for voice notifications when each has completed.
Power to anywhere you want a sensor.
Like door locks, door sensors, motion, and leak sensors.
My door locks I made 2 copper contacts at the top of my door frame with 2 other contacts on top of the door and powered 6 volts from a ups battery backup to them. So my door lock is only powered when closed.
(No reason to power it when open)
Also run a separate dedicated (2nd) hot water line from the farthest shower (from hot water tank) with a check valve back to the inlet of the hot water tank. So you can put a hot water recirculation system in. No waiting 2-3 minutes for your shower to heat up. Hot water in less than 30 sec.
My house was already built so I had to use the cold water line with automated valve. A dedicated line would have been much better.
I’m very curious how accommodating the builders will be to my smart home endeavor.
Are things like adding extra ethernet lines or leaving pull tubing something they are likely to give me a hard time about? I am willing to do myself I was a union carpenter for a long time so am comfortable on the job sites. Just not sure if I’ll be allowed.
Your the boss, make sure you arrange it on your terms… i just re wired my house and pulled 2 cat6 to each wall mounted TV now im having to fit mini switches because its not enough… another hard lesson…
I think that no matter how prepared you believe you are, things progress in a way that will leave you wanting. Always at a cost. The way my house is laid out, I’d just need pull tubes from the basement to the attic. We have drop ceilings in the basement, so we’re lucky in that sense. Seems we’re pulling wires every other weekend around here.
Yah sweat equity comes at a risk and a lot of builders are saying no to doing it yourself. They’ll always do it for you at a cost. If you ask nicely and you’re paying for it, you shouldn’t get much grief. HOpefully they’ll let you do it yourself. Much cheaper.
When we built our house 15 years ago, we were allowed as much sweat equity as we wanted to put into it. But, nowadays it’s not so easy. Be sure to ask and expect no for an answer and then you’ll be pleasantly surprised if they let you. Definitely push for it, though.
My boss tells me “if you think it’s dumb, dumb it down from there and you’ll hit the nail on the head.” So, explain what you want to them and see what they come up with.
until you know what curtains/blind/shades your having its difficult, get a 25mm (1" to you guys) conduit (commonly described as a pull tube here) installed, connected to a backbox, with a draw string in it and pull whatever cables you need when you install the window equipment.
I like the Ikea as I starting buying them around a year ago and they have been rock solid for me and not miss a beat. They open and closed on there own and I haven’t had to charge the battery as of yet.
