A complete smart entry system does more than lock and unlock a door — it recognizes who is arriving, adjusts lighting, disarms the alarm, records video, and sends notifications. All of this is possible without any cloud accounts, subscription fees, or manufacturer apps. Here is how to build it with Home Assistant.
Components of a Cloud-Free Smart Entry System
- Smart lock: Z-Wave deadbolt (Schlage BE469ZP or Yale Assure Lock 2)
- Door camera: PoE IP camera running through Frigate NVR
- Video doorbell (optional): Reolink Video Doorbell PoE (RTSP-compatible, works with Frigate)
- Motion sensor: Zigbee or Z-Wave sensor for the entry area
- Smart lighting: Zigbee bulbs or switches at the entry
- Hub: Home Assistant on a mini PC or Raspberry Pi 4
The Video Doorbell Problem
Most video doorbells (Ring, Nest Hello, Eufy) are cloud-dependent. The best local alternative is the Reolink Video Doorbell PoE (~$70). It supports RTSP streaming, integrates with Frigate for local person detection, and triggers notifications in Home Assistant when someone presses the button — no Reolink cloud account required for local functionality.
Building the Entry Automations
Automation 1: Someone Rings the Doorbell
- Trigger: Reolink doorbell button pressed (binary sensor in HA)
- Action 1: Send push notification to all household phones with a camera snapshot from Frigate
- Action 2: Announce on home speakers “Someone is at the front door”
- Action 3: Flash the entry light twice
Automation 2: Person Detected at Front Door (No Doorbell Press)
- Trigger: Frigate person detection on doorbell camera
- Condition: Home is in Away mode OR time is after 10pm
- Action: Send push notification with camera clip
Automation 3: Welcome Home (Code Used)
- Trigger: Z-Wave lock event — code slot 1 used (your primary code)
- Action 1: Disarm alarm
- Action 2: Turn on entry and hallway lights at 80%
- Action 3: Announce “Welcome home” on entry speaker
- Action 4: Start your arrival scene (thermostat, music, etc.)
Automation 4: Auto-Lock and Secure
- Trigger: Lock has been unlocked for 5 minutes
- Condition: Door is closed (door sensor)
- Action: Lock the deadbolt
Total Cost
- Schlage BE469ZP Z-Wave lock: $150
- Reolink Video Doorbell PoE: $70
- Zigbee motion sensor: $12
- Zigbee entry light switch: $20
- Total: ~$252 one-time (assuming Home Assistant hub already exists)
Ring equivalent with subscription: $200 doorbell + $100 lock + $100/year subscription = $400 year 1, $500 year 2, and growing.