Smart Home, Continuously Improved
Data-driven home automation by Ken Nakamura. Kaizen philosophy applied to every device, sensor, and automation in my home.
Energy Optimization
Track every watt. Identify waste. My system cuts energy costs by 22% through data-driven HVAC scheduling and smart plug management.
Smart Automation
Adaptive lighting, presence detection, and automations built on Home Assistant and Node-RED. 120+ automations running 24/7.
Solar & EV
7.2kW solar array, smart EV charging that saves 60%, and battery storage strategies. Real production data from year one.
Latest Articles
- Node-RED vs Home Assistant Automations: When to Use EachHome Assistant has two automation engines: the built-in YAML/UI automations and Node-RED (via add-on). After building 120+ automations split between both, I have clear opinions…
- Automating Window Blinds: The Overlooked Energy SaverAutomated blinds are not a luxury – they are one of the most effective passive energy management tools available. My motorized blinds reduced summer cooling…
- EV Charging at Home: Smart Scheduling Cuts My Costs by 60%When I got my EV last year, my electricity bill jumped $140 per month. Then I implemented smart charging with time-of-use rate optimization. Now I…
- Building a Home Lab: My Server Setup for Smart Home and Self-HostingRunning a serious smart home automation setup requires reliable compute. Cloud services go down. Raspberry Pis corrupt SD cards. After losing my Home Assistant config…
- Water Leak Detection Saved Me $12,000: Here Is My Sensor LayoutLast March at 2 AM, my phone buzzed with an alert: water detected under the kitchen sink. I was able to shut off the supply…
- Motion Sensors Done Right: Placement, Sensitivity, and Timeout SettingsMotion sensors are the backbone of presence-based automation. But poorly placed sensors cause more frustration than convenience. After testing 14 different sensors in various locations,…
About Ken Nakamura
Systems engineer based in Portland, Oregon. 12 years in industrial automation, now applying kaizen methodology to home technology. Every automation in my house is measured against one test: does it save time, money, or both?
No sponsored content. No affiliate links. Just honest testing and real-world data from my own home.