My house is currently getting built and I'm wondering what smart light switches I should purchase? Does anyone have experience with any? Looking at the Deta ones from Bunnings or the Ctec ones, unless there are better ones out there? Thanks
What Are Good Smart Light Switches to Use in a New Home?
Bazzaaa on 11/01/2021 - 21:31
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If you flash them to Tasmota or Esphome, you can program the lights to stay on.
Ah never knew that, good to know! Does not seem straightforward though… Might roll with the stock Grid Connect app/cloud until I'm forced to flash to something else! Thanks for the info!
Esphome can be a little daunting at first.
Check this out. https://blog.mikejmcguire.com/2019/12/09/deta-grid-connect-s…
However after you flash them, you still need some local software to run them like Home Assistant with MQTT,
Just try flashing one and see how you like it.
Seriously, once you have local control of switches, you will never go back to the cloud.
Are the quick and responsive? And operate well with Google etc?
Manually touching them they are as quick and responsive as conventional switches. They work well with google assistant. Handy to set up routines/scenes to turn certain lights/appliances on without having to manually toggle multiple switches at different locations.
Since the switches rely on software, I would suggest you go with the brands that have been around for a long time and those you think will be around for much more longer. Because once a company stops support for a particular product, your hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of hardware could become obsolete real quick.
Logically, the companies will probably pull the plug (no pun intended!) on the products they sell less of or the companies themselves could go bust if they don't sell enough.
Just make sure you get switches that can work without internet or can be dumbed down if you sell the house.
Personally I’d be looking at doing something to this https://www.troyhunt.com/iot-unravelled-part-1-its-a-mess-bu…
That way if you ever sell the house, you don’t need to worry about future compatibility or if the internet goes down, your lights still work!
I have Deta's in my house but all have been flashed to run Esphome and run through home assistant. I highly recommend devices that you can flash and run locally and not having to rely on the cloud.
Is the flashing process hard? Not something I've ever done.
It can be a little daunting at first but after you have done one, its quite easy. No soldering required.
I worked off this: https://blog.mikejmcguire.com/2019/12/09/deta-grid-connect-s…
Does it still integrate with Google assistant after this has been done?
@Bazzaaa: Well after its flashed, you have to have a system that runs it locally. That system is what will have to be compatible with Google Assistant.
Why not just use Philips Hue and get a dimmer remote for each room, install the magnetic faceplates next to the physical switches. Then you can upgrade all the dimmers later on when they start feeling old.
We use the Deta ones, works fine, you can hear them switching behind the wall and they don't yet have an option for the LED to stay on at night but I am told by support that they are working on it.