Home Assistant Podcast The Reluctant Home Assistant Guy: From Hue Chaos to Hour‑of‑Power Wins
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Oct 23, 2025 Chris, a home automation enthusiast originally from Canada and now living in Auckland, shares his candid journey from starting with Philips Hue lights to embracing Home Assistant for energy-saving automations. He recounts the challenges of multiple bridge setups, motion sensors, and various frustrations like Roomba failures. Chris also discusses the migration to adaptive lighting, the importance of choosing the right protocols, and how he optimized appliance use around a free power hour, all while navigating his family's unique needs in this tech-savvy home.
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Hue Lights Were The Gateway
- Chris started his smart‑home journey with Philips Hue GU10 downlights and a Hue bridge during COVID.
- He acquired bulk Hue lights from a builder and used them to outfit most of his house.
Verify Wiring Legality And Switch Fit
- Avoid replacing wall wiring with battery dimmers where local code forbids it; check electrical rules before designing.
- Choose smart switches only after verifying physical box space and electrician requirements.
Bridge Limits Forced A Second Hub
- Chris filled the house with Hue motion sensors bought secondhand and hit bridge device limits.
- He solved it by adding a second Hue bridge and juggling which devices lived on each bridge.