Looks like I was ahead of the curve. When building my house, I looked at all the smarthome stuff, and eventually decide "nope". It's all conventional wiring. Consider that the dimmer switches, over time, all failed, some I had to replace multiple times. I finally gave up and replaced them with simple on/off switches.
What I did do, which paid off handsomely, is run RG6 coax and Cat5 cables everywhere in a star configuration. I did all the work myself to make sure it was done right. Haven't had any trouble at all with it, despite lots of upgrading of the electronics.
BTW, another thing I did, which isn't exactly home automation. I bought a $10 microwave from the thrift store, and put it in the bathroom. I don't have to run the faucet anymore waiting for hot water for a wash cloth. Just wet the washcloth and throw it in the microwave. Aaaahhh, the luxury of hot washcloth on my face! If I was designing a house these days, I'd build in a special spot for the microwave in the bathroom.
P.S. the high end coax and ethernet cable costs very little money. What costs is the electrician, who charges (long ago) $50 just to attach the wires coming out of the wall to the socket.
Me, I watched the electrician at work, and the cable guy working at my previous house. I noted the tools they used, and bought them. A Milwaukee right angle drill puts the holes in the studs. I bought the Telewire Supply coax strippers and crimpers, and the ethernet socket tools. With that, you can do a pro job which will last and costs very little.
I learned back in college that using professional electrical/electronic tools, like a soldering iron, makes a huge difference.
I wish I was close enough with a electrican so I could hire them for an hour, show me how to do the quick things I need done then I'll do them my self. I want to replace a bunch of outlets and switches.
YouTube DIY seems to only cover the happy path. I opened a couple up and it wasn't quite like videos.
I learned a lot by watching electricians work on things I needed done. Same with plumbers and cable guys.
It really saves a ton of money, because then you can just do it yourself. Like replacing the dimmer switch with a regular switch - costs about $2 from the hardware store for the switch, and a few minutes.
Having a plumber show up costs $300 just for him to come to your house. It pays off big time to do what you can yourself.
P.S. I always ask for permission to watch them work. They appreciate the ask, and so don't think it's creepy.
> You ask for permission to watch them work on YOUR house?!
I always ask. I myself hate working when someone is standing over me watching, so it only seems right to ask for permission before doing that to someone else. Basic politeness is free.
What do you use the cat5 cables for? You mention it is all "dumb" (edit, actually the word used was 'conventional') but you also mention electronics, so it must not be that dumb?
As for the bathroom, another option would be a small on demand water heater under the bathroom sink.
Smart home is less wiring with added benefit of automating few things in life. Wireless light switches can be placed at any location without intensive labour. Most smart bulbs can be dimmed and can shift temperature.
Overall it’s not some sort of game changer, but not super complex either. On par with Japanese toilet and induction cooking.
There are battery-free ones now. But normally battery lasts at least 2 years.
IF battery dies you still have option to go thru pain and horrid of using siri or smartphone to toggle your lights...
You can install wired smart switches, but that would be incredibly stupid on a new build.
The whole point of it isn't walking to it (that's how I use it 99% of time). It's automation of switching all lights at once when going to bed, or all lights switching off when you leave house, or light comes up when you get home after sunset.
I use the cat5 to distribute ethernet throughout. This was before wifi was any good, and I still use the cat5 all day every day. Gigabit is not supposed to work with cat5, but it does just fine.
I hadn't thought of the on demand heater. But it's hard to beat a $10 microwave that just plugs in.
Try it some time. You'll never go back to cold washcloths!
You know, I love that idea. More than simply feeling nice, a hot steamy washcloth opens up the facial pores, too, or so it seems to me. It's functionally better.
It's funny because I had exactly the opposite (in a way) experience. I always hated cold washcloths and splashing cold water on my face.
Last year, I tried a thought experiment. I simply decided I was going to like those things. Much to my amusement it actually worked. I literally just talked myself out of not liking it.
I've been able to accomplish that with a few other trivial things, but not others, and not with anything really major.
nobody has a clean enough microwave to give that a try. I don’t even have the courage to look at the roof of mine. i just wait for something to truly explode before i begrudgingly clean it. so yeah, the essence will permeate the purity of a clean moist cloth. anyway, I’ve often wondered if poe could take the place of 14 ga copper for doing primary lighting. also, my bro in law is building a new house with double cat to all locations just for a backup if one fails. doesn’t want to have to rerun wire. seems brilliant given its ease and low cost.
What I did do, which paid off handsomely, is run RG6 coax and Cat5 cables everywhere in a star configuration. I did all the work myself to make sure it was done right. Haven't had any trouble at all with it, despite lots of upgrading of the electronics.
BTW, another thing I did, which isn't exactly home automation. I bought a $10 microwave from the thrift store, and put it in the bathroom. I don't have to run the faucet anymore waiting for hot water for a wash cloth. Just wet the washcloth and throw it in the microwave. Aaaahhh, the luxury of hot washcloth on my face! If I was designing a house these days, I'd build in a special spot for the microwave in the bathroom.