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Smart Systems

There is no limit to the problems that you can solve with your smart home setup. Below is a sampling of the systems that we can install.

If you have a specific idea in mind that isn't mentioned, please reach out, and we'll strive to bring your vision to life.

The Home Server

Each Smart Home starts with a home server. Depending on what other systems you'd like your server to support, it can take a few forms:

  • For a small setup, a mini-pc running Home Assistant OS and your Home Assistant instance is enough.
  • A mid-size setup might include secondary servers, like Network Video Recorders (NVRs).
  • A larger, full-featured setup might instead run on a NAS (Network Attached Storage) server, running a NAS operating system, such as UNRAID, which can host more services than just Home Assistant.

In addition to the server, you will need a network antenna. Your server will frequently include some basic network antennae such as Bluetooth & Wifi. Other networks purpose-built for low power smart-home devices will require external antennae or hubs:

  • Thread
  • Zigbee
  • Z-Wave 

Choosing Systems and Devices

With the basics set up, the next step is choosing which systems your smart home will run.
The easiest place to start is by integrating any existing smart devices that you already use, but you may also want to consider the sample systems that are detailed on this page. These are just a few of the systems that we have experience with; if you have any plans or ideas not detailed below, please get in touch and we'll help you bring your ideas to life.

Types of Devices and a Simple Example System

It can be helpful to think of two main categories for your smart home devices: sensors, or things that help the system gather information; and switches, or things that help the system take actions. Frequently, a single device or system will combine both of these categories.


Let's take a look a simple example system: an automated porch light.

With a non-automated porch light, it's pretty easy to picture how it works. The residents of the home can see when it's dark outside (sensor), and switch on the light when needed using the wall switch (switch). Then, when going to bed (sensor), they switch the light back off (switch).

  • A smart home needs some more planning, but once set up, everything operates without your input.
    • We need some way of sensing that it's dark outside. There are a couple options, with differing complexity. First, you could install a light-sensor: this would allow you to have exact observations of when it's dark enough that the porch light would be needed. A simpler option might be your home's location combined with the time of day, and the time of year. Using these simple observations, which are built-in to your smart home server, you can infer that the outdoor light levels would be low enough to require the porch light.
    • We need some way of switching the light on or off. The simplest solution here is a smart bulb. The wall switch remains on, and the bulb contains an internal switch that can act on commands sent by the smart home.
    • So, in our example, the smart home uses the time and location to determine that it is sunset (sensor). This triggers an automation that sends a command to the smart light to turn on (switch). Then, since the residents know that they're unlikely to have any deliveries or visitors after 9 PM (sensor), they set the automation to switch off the porch light at that time (switch).
    • Since this is all automated, this occurs without the residents having to remember to turn on and off the light. It's not accidentally off when a delivery driver is looking for their house number, and it's not accidentally left on overnight, wasting power.

    • In the sample systems below, we'll indicate if the system is primarily a sensor, a switch, or both.

    Whole Home Energy Monitoring

    Track electricity consumption on individual circuits or even individual devices. Electricity tracking has many applications:

    • Get notifications when a certain circuit isn't drawing power, for example, when a fridge isn't running.
    • Get notifications based on certain patterns, such as a dryer cycle running and ending.
    • Monitor electricity generated by your home solar installation.


    Energy monitoring is primarily a sensor system. It provides information to you or to other systems.

    Home Camera Systems

    Have the convenience of being able to view your home doorbell camera or other network or wifi video cameras all in one app from anywhere*. 

    Many camera systems allow you to view your cameras over the internet, but may lock advance features, or even basic viewing, behind monthly fees. If your cameras are different brands, you may need two different apps- and subscriptions!

    Additionally, being exposed to the internet means unauthorized users may be able to access video of your home.


    We can integrate your existing cameras, or help you install new cameras, that all work within Home Assistant.


    *Note: remote access requires a Nabu Casa account. See the FAQ on the home page.