Project Overview
Running on a repurposed mini PC, Home Assistant sits at the heart of the house and ties together a wide range of smart devices into one coherent, reliable system. Lights respond automatically to sunrise and sunset, motion sensors keep corridors and rooms lit at night without any manual switches, and every radiator in the house has its own valve controlled by the temperature and humidity sensor in that room. Power-hungry sockets are switched off overnight to reduce unnecessary energy consumption, the garden and greenhouse irrigation runs on a set schedule, and a network of CCTV cameras feeds directly into the dashboard. Whether at home or on the other side of the world, the entire house can be monitored and controlled remotely.
What It Controls
Smart Lighting
Lights turn on and off automatically based on local sunrise and sunset times, with motion sensors triggering lighting in hallways and rooms during the night.
Heating & Climate
Every room has a temperature and humidity sensor paired with a smart radiator valve, giving precise per-room heating control rather than a single blanket thermostat setting.
Power Management
High-consumption sockets are automatically switched off at night on a schedule, cutting standby power draw and reducing electricity costs without any manual effort.
Garden Irrigation
Automated watering runs on a timed schedule for both the garden and greenhouse, keeping plants healthy and removing the need to remember during busy periods or when away.
CCTV Integration
Multiple cameras around the property feed directly into Home Assistant, with live views accessible from the dashboard alongside all other home controls in one unified interface.
Remote Access
The full dashboard is securely accessible from anywhere — perfect for checking in on the house, adjusting heating, or reviewing camera feeds while travelling or on holiday.
Technical Setup
Hardware
Repurposed mini PC running 24/7 as a dedicated Home Assistant server — low power draw, small footprint, and always on.
Platform
Home Assistant — open-source home automation platform with a large ecosystem of integrations, automations, and a highly customisable dashboard.
Motion Sensors
Deployed across multiple rooms and corridors, triggering smart lighting automations at night without disturbing sleep or wasting energy during the day.
Radiator Valves
Smart TRVs fitted to radiators throughout the house, each paired with a room sensor to maintain the exact target temperature per room.
CCTV Cameras
Multiple Reolink cameras covering front door, side gates, back garden, and greenhouse — all integrated into the Home Assistant camera dashboard.
Secure Remote Access
Remote access configured securely so the dashboard is reachable from any device, anywhere, without exposing the local network unnecessarily.
Screenshots
