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Advice Needed Home Setup

Clareman

Hi all,

I've recently changed electricity supplier and as part of the change I'm getting a Netatmo thermostat, as I already have a couple of Nvidia Shields I'm thinking of going whole hog and setting the house ("normal" 4 bedroom semi) with smart devices, I've a friend going to the States next week for work and he'll pick me up some stuff if it's cheaper and works here.

What I'm thinking is......

Smart Doorbell - With my kids getting older this is a must have, would this Nest Doorbell work over here if I bought it in the states? Would there be another better option for a doorbell? I like the video and 2 way communication. My existing door bell is a standard 1.

Light Switches - Nearly all the light fittings in the hose are (relatively) new so I don't want to replace them, I'd like to have some light switches that I could turn the lights on or off? I'd need 1 3 way, 2 2 ways and a few singles.

Cameras - I'd like to have the ability to keep an eye on the kids as they are out playing either out the front of the house or the back, as the weather is turning this won't be needed till the summer.

Speakers/Controls - With black Friday coming up I assume Amazon will have Echos on offer, I'm thinking 1 "main" speaker and 3 minis around the hose, I'm open to Google or Amazon, don't have a preference either way, all our devices in the house are Android if that makes any difference.

Strip lights - I've a couple of cabinets underneath the stairs (1 for shoes, another of jackets), there's a plug in each, be handy to have lights in there.

Vacuum cleaner - The wife would LOVE 1 of these, downstairs is either tiles or hardwood flooring.

Any advice on what to get and where to get them would be greatly apprecaited.

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Clareman wrote: »

Smart Doorbell - With my kids getting older this is a must have, would this Nest Doorbell work over here if I bought it in the states? Would there be another better option for a doorbell? I like the video and 2 way communication. My existing door bell is a standard 1.

Yes, some folks here have the US one working here, though you may have to change the transformer and depending on your DIY skills, that might require an electrician. You should check out the Nest Doorbell thread.

Clareman wrote: »

Light Switches - Nearly all the light fittings in the hose are (relatively) new so I don't want to replace them, I'd like to have some light switches that I could turn the lights on or off? I'd need 1 3 way, 2 2 ways and a few singles.

I'd think about and consider smart bulbs rather then smart switches. I'd recommend Philips Hue. Smart switches just give you on/off and maybe dimming control, smart bulbs do that, but also more, white ambiance, colours, etc.

I'm of the opinion that they offer more.

But it depends on your needs, lighting setup and budget.

Smart Switches are a complicated topic as most require Neutral at the switch, but most Irish homes don't have that. Do first step would be for you to check that if you do want to go down the smart switch route.

BTW don't buy bulbs or switches in the US, they won't work here, different fittings and power.

Clareman wrote: »

Cameras - I'd like to have the ability to keep an eye on the kids as they are out playing either out the front of the house or the back, as the weather is turning this won't be needed till the summer.

Plenty of nice options, Nest, Logitech Cicrle, Arlo, Yi Home are just a few. Depends again on what you are looking for. Can you get power to the cameras, do you mind paying subscriptions for them, etc.

Clareman wrote: »

Speakers/Controls - With black Friday coming up I assume Amazon will have Echos on offer, I'm thinking 1 "main" speaker and 3 minis around the hose, I'm open to Google or Amazon, don't have a preference either way, all our devices in the house are Android if that makes any difference.

google Home devices are usually also reduced around the same time. I've both Alexa and GH and I went fully GH and much prefer it. But Alexa is good too if you decide to go that way.

Clareman wrote: »

Strip lights - I've a couple of cabinets underneath the stairs (1 for shoes, another of jackets), there's a plug in each, be handy to have lights in there.

Philips Hue has great strip lighting options, if you end up going with Hue.

Clareman wrote: »

Vacuum cleaner - The wife would LOVE 1 of these, downstairs is either tiles or hardwood flooring.

Sorry I don't have one, others can probably help.

Clareman

Great post, thanks for taking the time and effort

bk wrote: »

Yes, some folks here have the US one working here, though you may have to change the transformer and depending on your DIY skills, that might require an electrician. You should check out the Nest Doorbell thread.

Great, I'll get 1 of those picked up so, a friend of mine is an electrician and will be doing the install for me anyway

I'd think about and consider smart bulbs rather then smart switches. I'd recommend Philips Hue. Smart switches just give you on/off and maybe dimming control, smart bulbs do that, but also more, white ambiance, colours, etc.

I'm of the opinion that they offer more.

But it depends on your needs, lighting setup and budget.

Smart Switches are a complicated topic as most require Neutral at the switch, but most Irish homes don't have that. Do first step would be for you to check that if you do want to go down the smart switch route.

BTW don't buy bulbs or switches in the US, they won't work here, different fittings and power.

I've bought an awful lot of LED bulbs that I really don't want to have to throw out so I'd prefer just to get switches, simple on and off would be fine for me. I won't get those in the US, great point, thanks.

Plenty of nice options, Nest, Logitech Cicrle, Arlo, Yi Home are just a few. Depends again on what you are looking for. Can you get power to the cameras, do you mind paying subscriptions for them, etc.

I'll have a look around at those, thanks.

google Home devices are usually also reduced around the same time. I've both Alexa and GH and I went fully GH and much prefer it. But Alexa is good too if you decide to go that way.

I usually like to stick with 1 brand so I'll have a look

Philips Hue has great strip lighting options, if you end up going with Hue.

I guess this would be a great way of trialing the HUE

Sorry I don't have one, others can probably help.

I'll forgive you this time

kaisersose77

For vacuum, I got a roborock s50. I see on eBay that there's lots of German seller selling them ~€400 delivered. Works with Google home speakers.

Example (you can call it what you like!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC_NgtBummc

Clareman

kaisersose77 wrote: »

For vacuum, I got a roborock s50. I see on eBay that there's lots of German seller selling them ~€400 delivered. Works with Google home speakers.

Example (you can call it what you like!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC_NgtBummc

I could have LOTS of fun with that.

Clareman wrote: »

I've bought an awful lot of LED bulbs that I really don't want to have to throw out so I'd prefer just to get switches, simple on and off would be fine for me. I won't get those in the US, great point, thanks.

Oh I did the exactly the same. Converted all my lights to dumb LED's, then discovered the joys of Hue and changed again!

At least I gave all my old LED's to family and friends, so no bad feelings about ewaste

So you will need to unscrew your switches to see if they are wired for Neutral or not. Unfortunately you can't tell from just one switch, I found in my home it was roughly 50/50. Here is an article explaining this:

https://www.vesternet.com/resources/application-notes/apnt-23/

It is a somewhat complicated area, with no really easy recommendation like some other categories have.

Clareman

bk wrote: »

Oh I did the exactly the same. Converted all my lights to dumb LED's, then discovered the joys of Hue and changed again!

At least I gave all my old LED's to family and friends, so no bad feelings about ewaste

So you will need to unscrew your switches to see if they are wired for Neutral or not. Unfortunately you can't tell from just one switch, I found in my home it was roughly 50/50. Here is an article explaining this:

https://www.vesternet.com/resources/application-notes/apnt-23/

It is a somewhat complicated area, with no really easy recommendation like some other categories have.

I got onto my friend the electrician, he told me there isn't any neutral to the switches so that discounts that. I've G9 LEDs in most of the communial areas, I'm thinking I could get this for the 3 upstairs bedrooms and 1 spare, can I control all the bulbs independently? Also, I think the screw in on those is bigger than in 2 of my light fittings, can I use an adapter with the Philips?

Clareman wrote: »

I got onto my friend the electrician, he told me there isn't any neutral to the switches so that discounts that. I've G9 LEDs in most of the communial areas, I'm thinking I could get this for the 3 upstairs bedrooms and 1 spare, can I control all the bulbs independently? Also, I think the screw in on those is bigger than in 2 of my light fittings, can I use an adapter with the Philips?

My Spanish isn't great, but at a glance, that looks like a great deal.

Yes you can control them independently. Via App, voice control (Google Home, Alexa), Hue dimmer switch, Hue motion sensor and by routines (e.g. sunset).

Well you can use an B22 adaptor to E27 if it is B22 on your fittings. If you mean it is the smaller E14 I don't think they would fit. Having said that, it should be an easy job for your electrician friend to switch out the fitting for E27 in most cases.

Clareman

I don't need that, in fact I'll probably never use it, like I mean it's not difficult to get out of bed to turn on or off the light, in fact most days it's not needed at all. I've also bought new lights for the kids rooms so they don't need them either.

Of course I ordered it and paid the extra for the express shipping, sure that was only €2 extra.

LOL welcome to the Hue addiction club

BTW it is less about controlling the lights and more about the White Ambiance in my experience. The ability to set the lights to bright white during the dark winter months is very helpful I find and then set them to a soft candle light white in the evening as you settle down for the night.

Plus the kids can do disco lights with them, which is fun

Clareman

bk wrote: »

LOL welcome to the Hue addiction club

BTW it is less about controlling the lights and more about the White Ambiance in my experience. The ability to set the lights to bright white during the dark winter months is very helpful I find and then set them to a soft candle light white in the evening as you settle down for the night.

Plus the kids can do disco lights with them, which is fun

The justification (to myself) is that it'll be handy for the wife to be able to turn on the light in the porch remotely when she's coming home late, the kids have night lights anyway which this will replace and it'll be handy to have a spare.

Now, if I can stop myself buying the strip lights for the playroom and under the stairs as well as stopping looking at doorbells that'd be great.

Clareman wrote: »

The justification (to myself) is that it'll be handy for the wife to be able to turn on the light in the porch remotely when she's coming home late, the kids have night lights anyway which this will replace and it'll be handy to have a spare.

Note the porch light can come on automatically for her using geofencing or with a Hue motion sensor.

Clareman

bk wrote: »

Note the porch light can come on automatically for her using geofencing or with a Hue motion sensor.

Ahhhh b0llix, now I have to buy a Hue motion sensor and start looking into geofencing.

Shlippery

Clareman wrote: »

The justification (to myself) is that it'll be handy for the wife to be able to turn on the light in the porch remotely when she's coming home late, the kids have night lights anyway which this will replace and it'll be handy to have a spare.

Now, if I can stop myself buying the strip lights for the playroom and under the stairs as well as stopping looking at doorbells that'd be great.

There's no stopping you now...you haven't known comfort like turning on and off the bedroom light from within the bed.

Soon you will curse hotels and other homes you visit with their antiquated switches.

I've managed about 15 bulbs in a one bedroom rented apartment and a range of accessories :pac:

Clareman wrote: »

Ahhhh b0llix, now I have to buy a Hue motion sensor and start looking into geofencing.

Well the geofencing is free, it is done with the Hue app on her phone and GPS.

The motion sensor might be better from the perspective that it will work for everyone who comes to your home and can be good for security.

Clareman

Right, that's lighting sorted for now....

There seems to be loads of different reviews for doorbells, I like the idea of having the motion sensor recorded but don't want to have to pay a monthly subscription as I've loads of storage at home, can't seem to find 1 that suits me

Clareman

Shlippery wrote: »

There's no stopping you now...you haven't known comfort like turning on and off the bedroom light from within the bed.

Soon you will curse hotels and other homes you visit with their antiquated switches.

I've managed about 15 bulbs in a one bedroom rented apartment and a range of accessories :pac:

I'm looking forward to getting the voice activation working, I think I'm going to pick up 1 big Home speaker and 3 minis, only thing is the missus will kill me if I buy them now as she'll want to buy me something for that event at the end of December so I'll have to hold off on buying them. First world problems.

Clareman wrote: »

Right, that's lighting sorted for now....

There seems to be loads of different reviews for doorbells, I like the idea of having the motion sensor recorded but don't want to have to pay a monthly subscription as I've loads of storage at home, can't seem to find 1 that suits me

Check out this one from Hikvision, not cheap, but I think it works with local NVR's etc. Might suit you, but look for more information, I've never seen one in person:

https://www.hikvision.com/en/Products/Video-Intercom/Wi-Fi-Door-Bell/DS-KB6403-WIP

Clareman

bk wrote: »

Check out this one from Hikvision, not cheap, but I think it works with local NVR's etc. Might suit you, but look for more information, I've never seen one in person:

https://www.hikvision.com/en/Products/Video-Intercom/Wi-Fi-Door-Bell/DS-KB6403-WIP

Thanks for that, I just realised that I don't want to deal with batteries either, ideally I'll replace the existing door bell with a new 1 and use the bell inside the house. Or just not bother with it, €100+ for a door bell is a bit mad

wexfordman2

Clareman wrote: »

I got onto my friend the electrician, he told me there isn't any neutral to the switches so that discounts that. I've G9 LEDs in most of the communial areas, I'm thinking I could get this for the 3 upstairs bedrooms and 1 spare, can I control all the bulbs independently? Also, I think the screw in on those is bigger than in 2 of my light fittings, can I use an adapter with the Philips?

There are smart switches which will work with no neutral, they are generally dimmable ones, so you would need to have dimmable led bulbs, so check to see if the existing ones you have are.

Fibaro in wall dimmers are worth a look.

Def hue as well, but I am more inclined to use hue for lamps and mood.lighting rather than as your main to light. Two reasons for this, is in rooms where you have multiple bulbs in tje same circuit it can be a bit pricy IMHO, but the main reason is I not keen on the switching on/off of them, I prefer to have a standard looking wall switch, which is a limitation with hue.

Smart hoover, we have a Samsung one, it's good, but I think a bit over rated. The lacking feature is it has no comma to google etc, but there are models out there which do, and if I had to get one again, I would ensure that it has that feature. You will still need to hoover manually every now and again. The main benefit we get out of it, is we have dogs, so it manages the constant pet hair thing for us.

Music, I'd agree with BK, google is the way to go, a mixture of google homes, google mini and maybe a google max.

Chromecasts etc.

Smart alarm system, or possible way of integrating one also.

I have nest door cam, love it.

If your getting really adventurous, a robot lawn mower. We got one last year, and it is without doubt ine of the best purchases we made in a long time. I could manage without the smart hoover, but you will have to wrestle my lawnmower from my cold dead hands.

NSAman

Clareman wrote: »

Hi all,

Vacuum cleaner - The wife would LOVE 1 of these, downstairs is either tiles or hardwood flooring.

Any advice on what to get and where to get them would be greatly apprecaited.

OK... a word of warning here. I HAD an irobot which was great while it lasted. It DID make life easier. It required a minimal amount of cleaning (trap had to be opened daily to clean the dirt of the day).. all was fine until.......

We have dogs.

One night, while I was asleep one of the dogs had a bout of diarrhea at around 5am, I leave for work at 7 and bring the dogs with me. I didn't notice the said pool on the floor.

The iRobot starts at 9am .....

Needless to say, arriving home after a long day, to be greeted by swathes of SH1t caked into carpets and running all over the wooden floor is no fun.

wexfordman2

NSAman wrote: »

OK... a word of warning here. I HAD an irobot which was great while it lasted. It DID make life easier. It required a minimal amount of cleaning (trap had to be opened daily to clean the dirt of the day).. all was fine until.......

We have dogs.

One night, while I was asleep one of the dogs had a bout of diarrhea at around 5am, I leave for work at 7 and bring the dogs with me. I didn't notice the said pool on the floor.

The iRobot starts at 9am .....

Needless to say, arriving home after a long day, to be greeted by swathes of SH1t caked into carpets and running all over the wooden floor is no fun.

One of the reasons we don't run it in a schedule :-).

Clareman

NSAman wrote: »

OK... a word of warning here. I HAD an irobot which was great while it lasted. It DID make life easier. It required a minimal amount of cleaning (trap had to be opened daily to clean the dirt of the day).. all was fine until.......

We have dogs.

One night, while I was asleep one of the dogs had a bout of diarrhea at around 5am, I leave for work at 7 and bring the dogs with me. I didn't notice the said pool on the floor.

The iRobot starts at 9am .....

Needless to say, arriving home after a long day, to be greeted by swathes of SH1t caked into carpets and running all over the wooden floor is no fun.

No dogs but 2 small kids so the thought of having the house hoovered while I'm out is great, don't think it's 500 quid great though

Clareman

wexfordman2 wrote: »

There are smart switches which will work with no neutral, they are generally dimmable ones, so you would need to have dimmable led bulbs, so check to see if the existing ones you have are.

Fibaro in wall dimmers are worth a look.

Def hue as well, but I am more inclined to use hue for lamps and mood.lighting rather than as your main to light. Two reasons for this, is in rooms where you have multiple bulbs in tje same circuit it can be a bit pricy IMHO, but the main reason is I not keen on the switching on/off of them, I prefer to have a standard looking wall switch, which is a limitation with hue.

Smart hoover, we have a Samsung one, it's good, but I think a bit over rated. The lacking feature is it has no comma to google etc, but there are models out there which do, and if I had to get one again, I would ensure that it has that feature. You will still need to hoover manually every now and again. The main benefit we get out of it, is we have dogs, so it manages the constant pet hair thing for us.

Music, I'd agree with BK, google is the way to go, a mixture of google homes, google mini and maybe a google max.

Chromecasts etc.

Smart alarm system, or possible way of integrating one also.

I have nest door cam, love it.

If your getting really adventurous, a robot lawn mower. We got one last year, and it is without doubt ine of the best purchases we made in a long time. I could manage without the smart hoover, but you will have to wrestle my lawnmower from my cold dead hands.

I've 2 shields with built in Chromecast and have another Chromecast somewhere so Google sounds spot on. I don't have dimable LEDs but I think I'll look at replacing the existing LEDs with HUE as they go or come on offer.

I'm thinking the automated hoover is a bit too far a spend, I also got rid of most of my lawn a couple of years ago so the automated lawn mower really isn't needed.

wexfordman2

Clareman wrote: »

I've 2 shields with built in Chromecast and have another Chromecast somewhere so Google sounds spot on. I don't have dimable LEDs but I think I'll look at replacing the existing LEDs with HUE as they go or come on offer.

I'm thinking the automated hoover is a bit too far a spend, I also got rid of most of my lawn a couple of years ago so the automated lawn mower really isn't needed.

Have no fear, we will come up with plenty of other ways for you to smartly dispose of a few quid :-)

Seriously though, I think your next steps would be the google home speakers, and hue so.

Clareman

I've a Hue with 4 bulbs on order, should be here next week, I assume Energia will take a month to get my Netatmo delivered to me, the wife is going to get me the Home Speaker and a Mini for that event at the end of December, ideally get them in a decent sale, can't believe the Echo is so much cheaper.

You might want to check out the new Google Home Hub too, it looks very nice.

It sounds like you already have a lot of Google/Andorid/Chromecast devices, so yes, I think Google Home would be a better fit for you.

BTW The GH devices are usually reduced during Black Friday sales too, GH Mini £35 for example.

Clareman

I've way way way way too many tablets in the house already (at least 5) so I don't think I need anymore screens, I can't see what the hub would bring above a normal tablet. I'm going to hold out for Black Friday, I'm in the market for 1 home and at least 1 mini

The Black Oil

Thread here on vacuums that's worth reading. https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057688419

Clareman wrote: »

I've way way way way too many tablets in the house already (at least 5) so I don't think I need anymore screens, I can't see what the hub would bring above a normal tablet. I'm going to hold out for Black Friday, I'm in the market for 1 home and at least 1 mini

Ah, you say that now, but if you have kids, definitely don't read this review:
https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/22/18005724/google-home-hub-digital-photo-frame-review-specs-features-price

I didn't think I needed it either, then I read that and now damn it I need it.

Clareman

I picked up a couple of HUE Strips in Amazon Italy this morning, €90 for the 2 of them delivered (discount applied on checkout)

https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0148NMVQA?th=1