🏠

Rizzi Smart Home Unification

One App. Two Houses. Complete Control.

The Problem

Managing a smart home shouldn't require juggling 7 different apps.

🌡
Honeywell Resideo
LG ThinQ
🔐
Schlage
🌡
Govee
🔔
Ring
💡
Insteon
🎵
Sonos
7 Apps Today
1 Unified App

The Solution

A proven tech stack that brings everything together seamlessly.

🏠

Home Assistant

The world's leading open-source home automation platform. Supports 2,000+ integrations including all your existing devices.

🖥

Raspberry Pi 5

Dedicated hardware that runs 24/7. Fast, reliable, and purpose-built for your smart home - no shared resources.

🗣

Voice Control

Seamless Alexa integration via Fire TV. Control any device with your voice - even cross-ecosystem automations.

🔒

Tailscale VPN

Military-grade secure connection between both houses. Zero-config networking that just works through any firewall.

How Tailscale Connects Your Homes

Secure, zero-config networking that makes two houses feel like one.

🏠
House 1
100.64.0.1
🔒 WireGuard Encrypted
🏝
House 2
100.64.0.2
📱
Your phone joins the mesh from anywhere
🔒

No Port Forwarding

Works through NAT, firewalls, and ISP restrictions. No router configuration needed.

Direct Connections

Traffic goes directly between devices when possible - no cloud relay slowing things down.

📱

Access from Anywhere

Control both houses from your phone, even on cellular. Hotel WiFi, coffee shop - doesn't matter.

💰

Free Forever

Personal use is free for up to 100 devices. No subscription, no catches.

How It Works

1
Install Tailscale on Pi 5 at House 1 (2 minutes)
2
Install on House 2 device or router (2 minutes)
3
Devices automatically find each other and connect
4
Access Home Assistant from either location seamlessly

Integration Reality Check

Honest assessment of what integrates well and what has limitations.

Excellent Integration Full Local Control
💡

Insteon

100% local control via your hub. Fast response, works without internet. Home Assistant saved Insteon users when the company had issues in 2022.

✔ Perfect
🎵

Sonos

Outstanding local API. Full control over playback, grouping, volume. TTS announcements for alerts. No cloud required.

✔ Perfect
👍 Good Integration Cloud Auth, Then Local
🌡

Honeywell / Resideo

Requires cloud authentication initially, then works reliably. Full thermostat control including schedules and modes.

✔ Good

LG ThinQ

Cloud authentication required. Works well for on/off, temperature, and mode control. Occasional API delays.

✔ Good
🔐

Schlage (Model Dependent)

Z-Wave models: Excellent local control. WiFi/Encode models: Cloud-based but reliable. Check your specific model.

✔ Good*
Limited Integration Cloud Dependent
🌡

Govee

WiFi sensors: Work via community integration. Bluetooth sensors: Harder to integrate, may need gateway. Mixed results depending on model.

⚠ Mixed
🔔

Ring

Reality: Ring has NO local API. All data goes through Amazon's cloud with 60-second polling delays. Live view works but with latency. Two-way audio NOT supported in Home Assistant.

🚫 No local control 🚫 60s polling delay 🚫 No 2-way audio 🚫 Amazon cloud required
⚠ Limited

💡 Ring Alternatives (Optional Future Upgrade)

If cloud dependency becomes frustrating, these cameras offer full local control:

🎥

Reolink

Excellent value, full local recording, RTSP streams. Works great with Home Assistant and Frigate.

$50-150 per camera
🎥

UniFi Protect

Premium option with beautiful app. 100% local, no subscription. Requires UniFi hardware.

$150-300 per camera
🎥

Amcrest

Budget-friendly with local storage. RTSP support for Home Assistant integration.

$40-100 per camera
Note: Ring still works and will be integrated. These are options only if you decide local camera control is a priority later.

System Architecture

How it all connects together across both locations.

🏠
House 1 - Primary
Raspberry Pi 5 + Home Assistant
🌡 Thermostat ❄ AC Units 🔐 Locks 💡 Insteon 🔔 Ring 🌡 Sensors 🎵 Sonos
🏝
House 2 - Vacation
Remote Access via Tailscale
🌡 Thermostat 🔐 Locks 🔔 Cameras 💡 Lights 🌡 Sensors
🔒 Tailscale Encrypted Mesh
📱
Access both houses from anywhere via the Home Assistant mobile app

Project Timeline

A phased approach for a smooth transition.

PHASE 1

Foundation

Week 1-2
  • Raspberry Pi 5 setup & configuration
  • Home Assistant installation
  • First 3 integrations (Insteon, Sonos, Ring)
  • Basic dashboard creation
PHASE 2

Full Integration

Week 3-4
  • Remaining devices (Honeywell, LG, Schlage, Govee)
  • Initial automations setup
  • Voice control configuration
  • Mobile app setup & training
PHASE 3

House 2 Connection

Week 5-6
  • Tailscale VPN deployment
  • House 2 device integration
  • Unified dashboard for both locations
  • Cross-house automation testing
PHASE 4

Polish & Optimize

Ongoing
  • Custom dashboard refinement
  • Advanced automation creation
  • Energy monitoring setup
  • Ongoing support & enhancements

Investment

Transparent pricing for a complete smart home transformation.

🖥 Hardware (Phase 1)

Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) $80
Official Power Supply $12
NVMe SSD (256GB) $35
Case with Cooling $25
M.2 HAT/Adapter $20
Hardware Total ~$175

🌐 Optional Services

Nabu Casa (Easy Alexa) $6.50/mo
Tailscale (Free tier) $0
Backup Storage Existing NAS
Monthly (Optional) $6.50
Total Investment to Start
Under $200
One-time hardware cost + optional $6.50/mo for easy voice setup

Automation Possibilities

The real magic happens when devices work together automatically.

🌙 "Goodnight" Scene
Trigger: Voice command or tap at 10pm
  • All lights off (Insteon)
  • Doors locked (Schlage)
  • Thermostat to sleep mode
  • Ring alarm armed
  • AC set to night temp (LG)
🏠 "Arriving Home"
Trigger: Phone enters geofence
  • Porch lights on
  • Front door unlocked
  • Thermostat to comfort mode
  • Alarm disarmed
  • Music starts playing (Sonos)
💨 "Leak Alert"
Trigger: Insteon sensor detects water
  • Immediate phone notification
  • All lights flash red warning
  • Announcement on all Sonos
  • Log event with timestamp
  • Send alert even if away
🔒 "Away Mode"
Trigger: Everyone leaves house
  • All lights off
  • Thermostat to eco mode
  • All doors locked
  • Alarm armed
  • Random lights simulation

Device Inventory

Help us plan your integration by documenting your current devices.

🌡 Honeywell / Resideo (Heating)
LG ThinQ (AC)
🔐 Schlage (Door Locks)
🌡 Govee (Sensors)
🔔 Ring (Security)
💡 Insteon (Lighting/Switches)
🎵 Sonos (Audio)
🖥 Network Infrastructure
🌡 Honeywell / Resideo (Heating)
LG ThinQ (AC)
🔐 Schlage (Door Locks)
🌡 Govee (Sensors)
🔔 Ring (Security)
💡 Insteon (Lighting/Switches)
🎵 Sonos (Audio)
🖥 Network Infrastructure
📝 Additional Notes
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