🔧 Installation Framework

Standard installation approach for Home Assistant at client locations — phased over 3 months. {.is-info}

---

Phase Overview

Phase	Period	Duration	Activities
Phase 1: Foundation	Week 1-2	10-14h	HA + Zigbee, Victron integration, Reolink, IKEA lighting
Phase 2: Energy Core	Week 3-4	12-16h	Smart plugs, energy dashboard, first automations, battery logic
Phase 3: Climate	Week 5-6	15-20h	4x IR Blasters, AC integration, temperature sensors
Phase 4: Expansion	Week 7-9	18-25h	25x switches, 17x sensors, water leak detection, curtains
Phase 5: Optimization	Week 10-12	10-15h	Dashboard, testing, client training, documentation
Total	3 months	65-90h	At 8-10h per week

---

Phase 1 — Energy Foundation (Week 1-2)

• ✅ Install Home Assistant (HA Green or Raspberry Pi 4)
• ✅ Connect Zigbee Coordinator (Sonoff USB Dongle Plus)
• ✅ Victron integration working ← Priority 1
• ✅ Smart plugs on washing machine/dishwasher
• ✅ Set up energy dashboard
• ✅ Integrate cameras (Reolink)
• ✅ First 'appliance on solar' automation

Phase 2 — Energy Core (Week 3-4)

• ✅ Refine energy dashboard (production vs. consumption)
• ✅ Implement battery logic (SOC-based automations)
• ✅ Install and test water leak sensors
• ✅ Expand IKEA lighting
• ✅ Security: connect door/window sensors

Phase 3 — Climate Control (Week 5-6)

• ✅ Install 4x IR Blasters (line-of-sight to AC units)
• ✅ AC integrations working
• ✅ Temperature sensors per room
• ✅ AC automations on solar/battery

Phase 4 — Full Expansion (Week 7-9)

• ✅ Install in-wall Zigbee switches (25x)
• ✅ All sensors active (17x door/window/motion)
• ✅ Integrate curtains (if Forest Smart Curtains)
• ✅ Location-based automations (home/away)

Phase 5 — Optimization & Handover (Week 10-12)

• ✅ Finalize dashboard
• ✅ Test all automations
• ✅ Client training
• ✅ Create documentation
• ✅ Handover to managed service contract

---

Critical Considerations

Point	Details
Victron first	Always integrate first — foundation for all energy automations
IR Blasters	Must have line-of-sight to the AC unit
Network	IoT devices on separate VLAN for security
Fallback	Residents must always be able to use physical switches
Battery safety	Never automate below 20% SOC

---

See also: Hardware Stack | Standard Automations