Linux Home Automation For A More Simple Life
Linux Home Automation will help simplify your life. Just imagine home security, water leaks, critical systems, device monitoring, remote control, and more done automatically for you. I will explore other, lesser-known uses and benefits of Linux Home Automation that will free up your time and reduce stress.
What Is Linux?
Linux is a Unix-based open-source computer operating system that runs the world. I am writing this on a laptop that once ran Windows and now is running an Ubuntu Studio version of Linux. Go to DistoWatch to see all the wonderful flavors of Linux.
You use Linux every day and may not know it. Linux runs the internet; also, most web hosts and web servers run a version of Linux. Google’s Android Operating System is based on Linux. Your Bank most likely heavily depends on Linux.
Linux is free to use and is used in many products to cut costs. The popularity of the Linux operating system, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, is the reason why Microsoft now offers Windows 10 for free. Microsoft has even built support for the Linux Command Line into Windows 10, in an attempt to slow the growing popularity of the Linux Operating System.
Linux is built into many devices you use every day. It is very reliable and free. Did I mention it was free? We will be looking at Linux Home Automation products that will simplify your daily life. This simplification may cost less and be simpler to install and use than you think.
Linux Home Automation Systems
We will take a look at a few moderately priced Linux Home Automation Systems that I hope you will consider. They give you more time to do essential things and reduce stress in your life.
Home automation hubs are becoming more and more popular and the best run on embedded Linux. This category has been re-energized with the fact that Linux is free, the lower cost of components, and the growing availability of smartphones and handheld devices to control them remotely.
Many of these Linux Home Automation Systems are conveniently controlled by Android and iOS devices and television screens. Ok, here we go: a quick look at a few affordable Linux-based home automation systems that will help simplify daily life for their users.
Samsung SmartThings Hub – This is a very popular option with many mix-and-match components that can be combined to hopefully fulfill your Home Automation needs.
The Samsung SmartThings Hub does not connect to your home wireless network like most others and needs an Ethernet connection. The Samsung SmartThings Hub can interact with thermostats, lighting products, door locks, dimmer switches, video cameras, garage door openers, audio devices, and smoke detectors, among other things. Just imagine all the things you can do by configuring that into home automation.
There is also a variety of smartphone apps available to make it easy to control these devices remotely and have them interact with each other. Get Samsung SmartThings at a great price.
Wink Connected Home Hub – This option offers Linux Home Automation. The Wink Hub can translate Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee, Lutron ClearConnect, and Kidde networking protocols. Several products for the Wink app don’t require the hardware hub to communicate and can still complete home automation tasks. Hardware labeled “Wink app compatible, Wink Hub required” or “Wink app ready, no Wink Hub required.
Wink’s offers a list of hub-enabled products that includes Bali automated blinds, GE Link LEDs, GE Profile Series Remote-Enabled Built-In Convection Wall Ovens, the Kidde 2-in-1 Wireless Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Kwikset SmartCode 910 Deadbolts, and more. Wink Connected Home Hub at a great price.
Control4 – Control4 is one of the easiest to use in Linux Home Automation Systems. The downside is that this total Linux home automation system must be installed professionally by an authorized dealer. Control4 provides a list of dealers in your area. If you are searching for a convenient, functional, professionally configured Linux home automation system, Control4 will meet your needs. Control4 can be configured to meet your wildest dreams and control most home automation devices—Control4 at a great price.
Nest Labs – Nest’s thermostat was an early entry in a new wave of low-cost, typically Linux home automation devices, with claims that it can reduce a typical energy bill by 20 percent. Nest cuts down to the nitty-gritty and speaks everyone’s language to save money, with its simple Linux Home Automation offerings. They also make it easier to control increasingly high-tech HVAC equipment via Wi-Fi and Zigbee, enabling on-the-fly adjustments for improved home efficiency.
While the Nest Learning Thermostat controls wireless-enabled “smart grid” heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) devices, many of its rivals also control lighting—Nest Labs at a great price.
Staples Connect Hub – The Staples Connect Hub Linux Home Automation System acts as a router for your home automation devices. The hub uses a wide variety of wireless radios to communicate with your equipment, ensuring everything plays nicely together in your home. Staples Connect Hub works like Wink and SmartThings: it uses hardware and software. Get the Staples Connect Hub at a great price.
Piper Classic All-in-One Security System – The Piper is an innovative Wi-Fi-enabled home security system. This system offers starter kits that include motion and door/window sensors, as well as cameras. Don’t just think of this as just a home security system. It is much more than that. This system offers individual accessories, thereby providing greater installation flexibility.
Canary Al-in-One Security System – This is more than just a surveillance camera. The Canary uses multiple sensors and a 1080p camera to record events when motion is detected, delivers crisp live streaming video to your smartphone, and monitors air quality, humidity levels, and temperature in your home.
Just like the Canary in the coal mine that warns miners of danger. It also uses geofencing to arm and disarm itself when you approach it, so you don’t have to. You can access up to 12 hours of recorded video for free, but beyond that, you’ll have to subscribe to a premium cloud storage plan. Get the Canary at a great price.
Conclusion
Again, Linux Home Automation is growing fast. The fact that the Linux Operating system is reliable, secure, free, and open-source gives it versatility and great power. This means that anyone can write code for devices that can be mixed and matched to function with your Linux Home Automation system.
With millions of hard-working coders, think of the creativity that will be unleashed. We have no idea where this is going, but I am sure we will benefit from life being made more straightforward and stress-free in our futuristic, automated homes. Shop Home Automation Products.


Hi Tony,
You mention that anyone can write code for devices that can be mixed and matched to function with their Linux Home Automation system. I was wondering how many of these devices also operate on a linux platform. Do you find that it is considerable or only a small percentage of the market?
Hi Tony,
that is cool! I knew that quite a lot of folks is playing with Raspberry Pi, to make their homes more future like, but I had no idea how many sophisticated products are out there! And totally reachable!
Thank you for sharing!
Tony,
Wow! What a great selection of products to make my home elements available while I’m away! And the fact it uses open source coding only makes it more powerful.
I assume there must be products that I would need to dovetail with these? For example, my thermostat currently is one of those types where I turn the dial to change the temperature (for heat only). So I’d replace that with a new one that can connect to the software?
My air conditioners DO have remote control switches. So does that mean they would be programmable into these devices?
I’m sure my garage door can be programmed, though how does the distance affect the device? My door opener is programmed into my auto, but I can’t open or close the door until I’m within a certain number of feet.
I’ll have to do some further research to figure out what the best option would be for my home.
Thanks for the awesome suggestions!
Roger
Yeah, it can be confusing. The hardware and software can mix and match but that is half the fun.