Home Assistant

My personal implementation of Home Assistant (version: 0.88.0). Configuration last updated 2/22/2019.

Overview

Here is my home automation project I have been improving since mid 2017. At that time I had switched from Samsung SmartThings and I could not be more happy with my decision. I take a firm minimalism approach to my layout, hence the number of things are essential and concise.

In-front of Home Assistant

• HA is running on a docker container on a collective docker host I run in my homelab. For z-wave there a Z-stick plugged into the host. When I first started I tried Hassbian and other deployment methods, but wasn't satisfied with the level of control over the access and administration. HA in a Virtual Environment on a Debian Raspberry Pi 3 host is what I ran for awhile until last year when I upgraded my homelab to a single docker host. Docker is defiantly the way to go for easy of use, administration and updating.
• Interested in Docker but never used it before? Checkout my blog post: Docker In Your HomeLab - Getting Started.
• Connecting to HA externally, I use my own domain through Google Domains with a Dynamic DNS record setup on a sub domain. To solve the internal/external connection problem, I have a Host Override setup on my pfSense router that forwards my HA sub domain to the local IP address of HA when I'm on my local network.
• For connection security and certificate management I use the linuxserver/letsencrypt Docker container which has Nginx and Let's Encrypt packaged together. Nginx to reverse proxies the connections to HA and Let's Encrypt auto-renews to secure my traffic internally and externally.

High Level Components and Ideas

• Google Assistant Commands - To get around a few limitations like casting Spotify and the mediocre native TTS I am using emulated google assistant SDK on my RaspberryPi. Following a post form chocomega here he walks you though setting it up. You can find the config in configuration.yaml, the spotify/playlist selector here playlist.yaml and broadcast notifications here things.yaml.
• Dishwasher Status/Notification - phil1019 shared his write up with me about monitoring dumb home devices power consumption to assume their state. I used the dishwasher portion of his setup, it can be found here.
• Auto hide media devices when not in-use - Before I used a self made method, now lovelace has more native functionality through a Conditional Card. I didn't like the clutter of 6 media devices on my main page when they are not playing anything.
• Light Alarm Clock - My bedroom lights slowly turn on, and the radio cast(s) instead of an immediate audible alarm. I used this example on the community forum by hokagegano.
• Alarm Control - There are a lot of examples of HA Alarm Systems on the community forum, but none of them did exactly what I wanted, so I wrote this one myself. The front end modules is the lovelace javascript module alarm_control_panel-card.
• geekofweek Repository - When I was getting started I pulled a lot of ideas and config examples from geekoftheweek. Many thanks to this guy!
• Future Considerations - When I own my own dwelling I will probably monitor, operate, and use sensors from smart deadbolts/doors handles, smart smoke/carbon monoxide detector, smart doorbell, exterior lights, garage door opener, etc from HA.

Custom Components

• nadtcp2 - The nad component doesn't work with the Nad C 338. This is a workaround.

Lovelace JavaScript Modules

• Alarm Control Panel Card
• Mini Media Player
• Slider Entity Row

Devices

• Docker Host - SSD based
• Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5
• DIY pfSense router
• Netgear Orbi (Set in AP mode)
• ZoneMinder

Z-Wave Devices

• GE Z-Wave Plus In-wall Smart Dimmer Toggle 14295 - 6
• Ecolink Z-wave Plus Motion Detector PIRZWAVE2.5-ECO - 5
• Inovelli Z-Wave Plus Single Channel Smart Outlet
• Inovelli Z-Wave Plus Dual Channel Smart Outlet - 2
• NEO Z-wave Plus MINI Smart Power Plug (monitors power consumption) - 1
• Sensative Z-Wave Plus Strips Guard Contact Sensor (Don't recommend) - 3
• Kwikset 912 Z-Wave SmartCode Electronic Touchpad

Media and Other Devices

• Hikvision Cameras - 2
• Google Hub
• Chromecast Ultra
• JBL Link 20
• Vizio 4k TV
• Nad C 338
• Roomba 890
• Hue Bridge (Deprecating)
• Hue White A19 - 2
• Hue Dimmer Switch

Interface