Raspberry Pi + Home Assistant
Build a Home Assistant controller on Raspberry Pi - the same platform used in Exergy kits.
Guide Overview
This guide walks you through building a Raspberry Pi-based Home Assistant “brain” - a small home server that controls your bitcoin mining heaters and monitors your home environment.
The guide is split into two parts:
- Hardware Setup - Assembling your Raspberry Pi and components
- System Configuration - Installing and configuring Home Assistant OS
Before diving into those tutorials, review this page to understand what you’ll need and why.
Required Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | A small single-board computer that runs Home Assistant OS. This is the “brain” of your smart home system. 4GB or 8GB RAM models both work. |
| Power Supply | Powers the Raspberry Pi. Use the official 27W USB-C power supply - inadequate power causes instability and crashes. |
| NVMe M.2 SSD | Where your data is stored. Home Assistant writes sensor data frequently, so solid-state storage is essential. 128GB-256GB recommended. |
| NVMe Expansion HAT | An add-on board that connects the NVMe SSD to the Raspberry Pi. Required since the Pi doesn’t have a built-in M.2 slot. |
| Case with Cooling Fan | Keeps the Pi cool and quiet. Active cooling (a fan) is recommended since the Pi 5 runs warm under load. |
| Ethernet Cable | Cat5e or better. Required for initial setup. |
Optional Components
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Zigbee Coordinator | A USB or radio-to-pi_hat antenna that listens for Zigbee radio signals (not WiFi). Enables communication with Zigbee sensors and devices like temperature sensors. Recommended to minimize Wi-Fi connected devices in the home and increase stability. |
For Installing Home Assistant OS
You’ll need one of the following setups to flash Home Assistant OS onto your NVMe SSD. See System Configuration for details on each method.
Option A: Network Installer (Recommended)
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| HDMI Cable | To connect Pi to a display. Some cases/expansion boards include full-size HDMI ports; otherwise you’ll need a Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable or adapter. |
| Monitor or TV | Any display with HDMI input to see the installer GUI. |
| USB Keyboard | To navigate the Network Installer menus. |
Option B: Raspberry Pi Imager
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| NVMe-to-USB Adapter | Allows you to connect your NVMe SSD to a computer for flashing before installing it in the Pi case. |
| Computer | Mac, Windows, or Linux computer to run Raspberry Pi Imager. |
Important: Don’t Use MicroSD Cards
The Raspberry Pi has a microSD card slot, and Home Assistant OS can run from an SD card. However, this is not recommended.
Home Assistant continuously writes sensor data, logs, and database updates. This constant read/write activity wears out microSD cards quickly - often within months. When the card fails, you lose your configuration and automation history.
Always use an NVMe SSD for reliable, long-term operation. It’s faster and will last years instead of months.
Network Requirements
For initial setup: You must connect via Ethernet cable. Home Assistant OS needs a wired connection for first-time configuration.
After setup: You can switch to WiFi through Home Assistant settings if preferred.
Where to Buy Components
Here’s our Recommended Setup
| Component | Recommended Products | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) | Raspberry Pi 5 | Amazon, Micro Center, PiShop |
| Power Supply | Official 27W USB-C | Amazon, Micro Center, PiShop |
| NVMe SSD | Samsung 970 EVO Plus, WD Blue SN570 | Amazon, Micro Center, Newegg |
| NVMe Expansion Card + Case | Argon ONE V5 NVMe Base | Amazon |
| Zigbee Coordinator | Argon Industria / Sonoff | Amazon (Works With Argon One V5 Case Only), Amazon |
Tools Needed
If you purchased a complete Raspberry Pi kit designed for Home Assistant, you likely have everything ready to assemble.
If you’re sourcing components separately, you may need:
- Small Phillips screwdriver - For mounting the Pi in the case and attaching the NVMe HAT
- Thermal paste or thermal pads - Often included with cases, but verify before assembly
Next Steps
Ready to build? Start with Hardware Setup to assemble your components. Just need to configure Home Assistant OS? Start with System Configuration to get things dialed in.