Isolation Day 17: Making A Smart Home
Can I Create a HomeKit Smart Home?
I’ve been wanting to create a Smart Home for years, ever since seeing a Grand Designs episode where the builder wired his house with a massive amount of network cable to create a "smart home." I was hooked on the dream instantly.
Why HomeKit?
As many know, I use several Apple products, but my preference for HomeKit isn't just about brand loyalty. It’s because it’s a system that works offline and is incredibly easy to set up—you just scan a QR code on the product and it’s added. Given our spotty internet connection in the UK, that offline capability is a huge advantage.
I’ve narrowed my search down to five key areas: Lighting, Heating, Power, Sound, and Security.
1. Lighting
I’m a fan of Philips Hue, but they are expensive and struggle to dim below 10%. Instead, I’m leaning toward IKEA’s TRÅDFRI system. It’s about half the price of Hue, which keeps the budget (and the wife) much happier.
- Key Components: TRÅDFRI Gateway, wireless dimmers, wall mounts, and a mix of E14/E27 bulbs.
- Total Lighting Budget: £250.93
2. Heating
I wanted to avoid any heating systems that require a subscription fee. I’ve settled on the Netatmo line. They offer smart radiator valves (TRVs) that allow for room-by-room control without monthly costs. The "auto-adapt" function is brilliant—it calculates your home's insulation and outside temperature to reach the ideal heat exactly when you need it.
- Total Heating Budget: £509.94
3. Power
Smart power options in the UK that work natively with HomeKit are rare unless you resort to complex DIY "hacking." For now, I’m sticking with the IKEA TRÅDFRI Smart Socket. It’s a bit bulky, but at £10, it’s unbeatable for things like fish tank timers.
- Total Power Budget: £20.00
4. Sound
I’m a huge fan of the IKEA SYMFONISK speakers (the Sonos collaboration). The sound quality is amazing for the size, and the ability to turn them into wall-mounted shelves is genius for a small flat.
- Total Sound Budget: £1,165.00
5. Security
This was the most difficult category. Finding HomeKit-enabled locks in the UK is a nightmare, so I’m starting with the Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock (pin/NFC/phone entry). I’m also going all-in on Netatmo for the alarm system, smoke alarms, indoor cameras, and the (hopefully upcoming) video doorbell.
- Total Security Budget: £1,679.86
The Final Shopping List
|
Category |
Total Cost |
|
Lighting |
£250.93 |
|
Heating |
£509.94 |
|
Power |
£20.00 |
|
Sound |
£1,165.00 |
|
Security |
£1,679.86 |
|
Other (Weather Station, Blinds, LED Strips) |
£1,249.99 |
|
Grand Total |
£4,875.72 |
Final Thoughts
Just shy of £5,000 is a significant amount of money, though I could shave that down to roughly £2,460 if I cut out the "nice-to-haves" and excess speakers. I’m still holding out hope for a true HomeKit-native lock to hit the UK market soon.
What do you think about my setup? Would you have picked something else, or are you currently running a smart home of your own? Let me know in the comments below!