Experimented with Home Automation in 2010. Updated my first home with smart home technology in 2015. Still running. Here’s what works in 2025.
Here are some notes on how to automate your home and to start to make it the Smart Home of your dreams.
Recommended Home Automation Hardware Manufacturers:
| Name: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Legacy X10 | Manufacturer of low priced X10(PowerLine communications) hardware. Good for entry level or experimenting, $10-15 per module new. $5–$15 (eBay) |
| Active Z-Wave | Collection of manufacturers of wireless RF hardware. Stable and robust, but fairly pricey, $25-50 per module. Samsung's Smarter Things uses this technology. |
| Zigbee | Manufacturer of wireless RF hardware. Stable and robust, $15-40 per module. Belkin WEMO uses this technology. Its also an open standard and can be used by hackers. These and other IoT devices should be placed on their own vlan. |
| Matter/Thread | Future-proof, Apple/Google/Alexa native, $20–$40 |
Need help upgrading X10 → Z-Wave? Let’s modernize your setup
*I would personally stay away from Home Automation Technologies Protocols not on the list above, since they haven't been in the market that long, unless they have a WebAPI.2025 Update: Where Are We Now?
- X10: Still works! Great for retrofits. Use with Home Assistant.
- Z-Wave: King of reliability. 700+ devices.
- Zigbee: Cheaper, broader (IKEA, Philips Hue).
- Matter/Thread: The new standard. Buy this for new builds.
- Home Assistant: Free, local, unstoppable. My #1 pick.
Home Automation Software:
| Name: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Homeseer | Multi-platform Hardware Home Automation Software (X10, ZWave, Zigbee, and others). |
| Dominant Home Assistant | Freeware Multi-platform Hardware Home Automation Software (X10 and ZWave). |
Recommended Home Automation Hardware modules or Devices:
| Name: | Description: |
|---|---|
| Controller | This interfaces your computer to the home automation equipment. |
| Lamp Modules | These modules allow you to simply set your lamp to ON and allow controllability through your automation software. |
| Appliance Modules | These modules allow you to simply set your device to ON and allow controllability through your automation software. Good for floor or table fans. |
| Motion Sensors | These modules alert you when someone enters the room. |
| Temperature Sensors | These modules can turn your fans on when the room gets too hot. |
| Light Switch Controller | These modules replace your existing switches and can control ceiling light fixtures. |
| Fan Controller | These modules replace your existing switches and can control ceiling fan fixtures. |
| Smart Thermostat | This modules replace your existing thermostat and can control your Heating or Air-Conditioning (HVAC). Again don't get a device that doesn't talk to others (i.e., Nest.) |
| Infrared Transmitter | This modules can send infrared signals to control your AV equipment (TV, BlueRay, DVD, Cable box, or Receiver). |
| Smart Door lock | This modules can monitor the status of your front door and lock/unlock remotely. Also you can give out time limited codes instead of keys. I recommend Schlage, since the Qwikset are hackable since the universal keys. |
| IP Cameras | Check the status of your home by simply logging in. |
| Tilt Sensor | This modules can monitor the status of your garage door. |
Downloads:
| Name: | Description: |
|---|---|
| TemperX10 |
A simple utility to check to see if a temperature falls between a certain range
for X10 users that activates/deactivates a particular device specified in the app.config. Useful for implementing an Auto-fan via USB temp sensor TemperX10_083010.zip 15.6 kb |
| Daily Bible Verse script |
A simple script that speaks the daily bible verse for HomeSeer. bible_verse_hs3_041816.zip(HS3) 1kb or bible_verse_061510.zip(HS2) 1 kb |
| Daily Bible Verse script | A simple script that speaks the daily bible chapter of the day for HomeSeer chapter_of_the_day.zip(HS3) 1,357kb |
| Pertelian Drivers |
Your source for the almost lost and hard to find Pertelian X2040 drivers LCD Display for Windows XP, Vista, and 7. SetupPertelian.2010.04.17.exe 5669 kb |