Is there any good guide on what can be automated well and how?
No, because as mentioned, it is very individual.
You go through the existing/desired systems and think about it. Much often comes later because you see that you could automate this and that. Because a house constantly develops and grows and changes with its inhabitants. Why should you accept that you can at any time exchange furniture, etc., and you do, but not the functionality/scope of the house electrics?
Simply go through the usual suspects and think about what the processes are, then automate that. For example HVAC, shading, lighting, presence/absence detection, alarm system, cameras, audio/video equipment, household appliances, door communication, access, scenarios and time frames, etc.
one exception bothers
Just don’t try too much at once. People only adapt slowly. Because basically since childhood you have been programmed that you always have to press some buttons.
The owner’s main problem is keeping a Windows 95 computer running for control and programming.
Hmm well, something clearly went wrong there. Or a DIY project? Because it was hopelessly outdated already at commissioning.
Well, after 35 years in IT I’ve heard enough promises of salvation to appreciate the advantages of a carriage
Yes, the IT industry is a prime example of how not to do it. Also always fascinating to see that IT people try to sell the next best smart home to men/women, e.g. via telecommunications companies. The same thing is reinvented again and again and then presented with the intention of attracting customers this time.
I actually lack the imagination to imagine where there would be any "smart" demand at all in a run-of-the-mill house:
Because the term has become an empty buzzword through the media. What you describe is indeed a smart home. Where HVAC is regulated and does its work on its own and requires no intervention from the residents.
Smart is not the same as Alexa and co., and smart is not the same as Ikea Tradfri and Hue. That is all just toys.
Smart is when the building technology functions efficiently and possibly even saves energy while offering the resident maximum comfort.
In my case, it is, among other things, the almost switchless lighting installation, devices that always report when something has happened or when they need something, etc.
I simply believe (and I’m not alone) that you only need few light switches. The light should just follow me and turn on when I need it and turn off when I leave, without me having to press anything.
And for shading, for example, the same. I don’t want to run around the house when outside it’s like Africa and I need to shade. At the same time, however, I want as much sunlight as possible in the house. The house should then regulate that itself and especially not overheat in my absence and save energy. In winter, on the other hand, it should act exactly the opposite to capture as many sun rays as possible.
and for that you don’t need an overlying layer called smart home.
Yes, you don’t need that, that is a fantasy by the sellers. But nevertheless, a certain cooperation of the devices and building technology is advantageous so that we don’t end up with the known iron in the refrigerator.
So, for example, window contacts can be used not only for the alarm system but also for HVAC, presence detection/confirmation, shading, lighting control, etc. etc.
In a dumb home, you might need these in multiple copies. In a smart home, one set is enough and you think about the links yourself.