Using smart power switches to make any appliance "smart"

[@AS-os3lj]

Thanks for the video. I guess I will use it for my dishwasher.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I had to remove mine from the dishwasher after about 8 months. One day the dishwasher stopped working properly, and never completed the cycle. Once I removed the smart plug from the circuit it started working perfectly again. No idea why!

[@wscottfunk]

Hey Alan, cheers from across the pond! Thanks for sharing this! I've watched several different videos on automating dumb appliances and your automation makes the most sense, is simple to integrate and works great! The basics were enough to get me through creating the automations in the latest version of Home Assistant. Of course I had to pause, rewind and rewatch about 10 times. 😂 Next, I'll be smartifying my "dumb" clothes dryer and who knows what else. I appreciate you sharing your helpful videos. Hopefully, you can enjoy a cup of coffee on me!

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

Thank you so much for the support! I really appreciate it 🙏 Instead of pausing and rewinding so many times, check out my homeautomationguy.io website for full articles and code samples on most of these automations to make everything a bit easier for you ❤️

[@Charliecorrea1990]

2 Years later and this video is still relevant and very informative. I am new to HA and home automation in general and your videos are an amazing guide. Well written, thoroughly explained, and with a companion blog that is just pure gold!. I was wondering if you ever got around that energy monitoring video :) looking forward to it.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I sure did! You can find the energy monitoring video on my channel. Thanks for the comment!

[@theeltea]

Not relevant, the interface changed. Not in-depth too.

[@ThuanNguyen-jn9sp]

Any ideas if Tapo P110M or Aqara Smart Plug EU has these entites when added to H.A? Thanks

[@KevinCharlesWilliams]

@HomeAutomationGuy was watching your video on how to turn your light to green when the washing machine was done & you mentioned the Ikea Smart Button? I'm unable to locate that, can you please advise?

[@Patriots2004]

I am wondering if you could connect this motion detector to a Samsung frame TV. These TVs show artwork on the display so it looks like a framed picture.

[@nathanross3303]

Any suggestions for making dryer smart?

[@FinalStigma]

It's the same principle as for a washing machine. It's all about having your smart plug monitoring the energy usage and then informing you when the energy drops below a certain level.

[@oluwolevictor5638]

How can I connect multiple appliances?

[@Sparky_D]

I have the same setup for our washing machine, almost identical to how you did it 👍

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

Great minds think alike!

[@mils232]

This is great. Is there a way to do this through smartswitch with alexa without home assistant

[@mrmaxin53]

What type of humidifier though? My humidifier doesn’t have a physical toggle for on and off so when my schedule event on my smart plug turns on, it doesn’t actually turn on my humidifier because I can’t leave the default on like a light switch

[@kevin4rsl]

Hello. I have a small issue. I have my washing machine set to announce via alexa when the power usage drops below a certain amount. However everytime I restart home assistant alexa announces that the machine is finished washing. How can i resolve this?

[@wilson87j]

Like the idea of the washing machine finished! I use a template to control the ceiling fan speed. It's good during the UK spring months when the temperature drops which automatically turn it down/off. Like the content. Keep up the good work!

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

Thanks James - great suggestion on the ceiling fan speed control, that's a great use case.

[@XellosMetallium]

i dont see it list on their website in the US. is it exclusive to certain countries?

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I think they've taken it off the market 😭

[@srensrensen5354]

Love the video, been thinking of doing this myself. But is there any way you could do a new video, as a detailed tutorial, where you hold our hand, through every step? As you lost me as a newbie in home assistent, after the helper, LOL... So now I don't know how to do the automation.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I wrote an article about it which might be helpful? www.homeautomationguy.io/blog/home-assistant-automations/washing-machine-notifications

[@srensrensen5354]

@@HomeAutomationGuy Thanks, I will definitely check that out 🥳

[@Pepin555]

Looks like your using a computer to set up the rules for the washing machine. Is that a website or app ?

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

It's done in Home Assistant!

[@peterking2794]

Interesting video. Thanks. Would a 'smart' plug like that 'talk' directly to an iPhone without any hubs or other infrastructure? I'm only interested in the 'washing machine's finished' feature, nothing more as our washer is also in the cellar. Cheers!

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I think you would need some sort of HomeKit hub. Sorry, I'm not an expert on Apple devices I'm afraid!

[@peterking2794]

@@HomeAutomationGuy OK. Thanks for your reply. I'm a bit of a Luddite when it comes to high tech stuff. I'll investigate further. Cheers!

[@eyhtwozed2606]

Yes. I have 2 smart plugs and they’re from different brands. The brands you buy usually comes with their own app so you can control them using ios/android.

[@mrnotnomis]

I'd like to know if you think running Home Assistant on an enterprise-grade server is a good idea? I already own a HP Proliant ml350p speced with dual processors, 40GB ram, and 12 TB. I bought it CHEAP and I haven't done anything with it yet. My purpose is to run Plex, have a personal cloud for pictures and home movies, and to run home automation processes that make my life easier. I'd also like to run a weather station and a security camera system and have it ALL controled without needing to access the internet at all. Home Automation seems to have all the right stuff to do everything I want. Thanks for the videos!

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

What a beast! I used to use Proliant servers like that when I worked as a systems administrator in enterprise companies, they're great! I would install Ubuntu Server on the Proliant as well as Docker. This will allow you to run all the services you want on top of it in individual Docker Containers. You can have a container for Home Assistant for automations, Frigate for CCTV and Plex for media serving. Check out this playlist for more information - I'm currently adding more and more videos to it so stay tuned! kzbin.info/aero/PL4ed4sZb-R_8dJmakzfBywx1zL9HrFEOy

[@MathewCarter]

Curious why you have 3 states for the washer? Why not just running and not-running?

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

So that I know when it's no longer running, but not yet emptied. That way I know when I need to empty it so the clothes don't smell wet. The states in I have are: Off Running Unemptied

[@daandesteen]

I'm pretty sure there was a follow up video about this because you forgot the 'laundry done' notifications on your phone most of the time - and ended up with 'wet dog washes' after all. It was something with your stairs led strip turning red when you walked up the stairs if the washing machine was finished, but I can't find it anymore.... help ;)

[@WoottonRivers]

Which smart outlet are you using? From what I've read you need to have a smart outlet that is designed to handle large motor loads when used with a washing machine.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

I'm using a TP-Link Kasa 115 smart switch, which is rated to 13A. I've never seen it go above 9 amps, even when on the spin cycle so I'm hoping it is ok!

[@Abhi-fx3gb]

Hi, We have a smart plug and when we turn on the washer, It just turns on the washer but doesn't wash anything. How do I resolve this?

[@eyhtwozed2606]

The smart plugs only triggers an on or off functions.

[@willdwyer6782]

I don't use home assistant and I don't plan to start. It's just too complex for me to wrap my mind around. I don't care about being dependent on a cloud because I'm not automating anything I can't do without if I get knocked offline by a storm or something. Is it possible to make an alexa routine to tell me when the laundry is done without having to go full geek mode with a raspberry pi?

With a vibration sensor that stops vibrating for 2 minutes or something similar

[@LukePighetti]

Do you have any videos on smart switches? What I mean is taking an old light switch and replacing it with a Zigbee controlled dimmer switch. No smart bulbs needed.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

No. Not yet. I'm hoping to dive into the world of smart switches later this year.

[@LukePighetti]

@@HomeAutomationGuy I think smart switches are a very interesting device. We invested in some excellent dumb lights, but our switch placement around the house is pretty terrible, so we'd like to consolidate them.

[@stevenwilliams2050]

A lot of dumb appliances default to standby mode when initially switched on. So, for example I've got a dehumidifier, kettle washing machine, all of these default to standby, so smart switch will not switch these on automatically.

[@neverman3398]

I use a Meross smart switch on my kettle. Some kettles have a safety feature that doesn’t allow you to use a smart switch. Luckily, mine doesn’t have it. lol

[@mrmaxin53]

Sounds like one might have to DIY the dumb appliance’s logic board…something I don’t want to spend time on…

[@darshan.sk37]

90% of the smart switch ideas wont work today unfortunately. Since every device has another button that needs to be pressed

[@adiands850]

Isn't the entire point that you leave the device switched on and then use the smart switch as the controlling device?

[@lillnemo1]

​@@adiands850your smart switch CAN'T tell the washing machine to start. It can only start or stop giving power through the outlet

[@adiands850]

@@lillnemo1 Yes i see what you mean. I was thinking more about simple things like a lamp. For something like a washing machine, it would need some kind of integration that could be controlled through automation. I think some washing machines can be controlled through Home Assistant.

[@jackgalvin3399]

great

[@premiumNiv]

When did show. U only spoke

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

Did I?

[@fus149hammer5]

A smart washing machine? Smart enough to load it, add the liquid, conditioner and water softener and empty it at the end of the cycle? Thought not. Mine does tell me when it's finished though. It plays a bloody annoying loud jingle that guarantees I'll get up and empty it.

[@rogalsiu]

I hate such click baits. Its only an on/off switch which cannot make most appliances "smart", because they don't start automatically when powered on, like kettles or most lundry dryers or washing machines. Also, most washing machines show the remaining time when you start a washing cycle, so if I had to go to start on washing mashine then I can stick a 20 cent worth NFC tag or BT beacon and set it to set up alarm on my phone instead of spending $15 for a smart plug with energy monitor. Such a waste and misuse of smart plug.

[@TEZProd]

Good for you. Sometimes when my machine says there 3 more minutes left, it’s not actually 3 minutes. It’s not a clickbait if the smart plug is not for you.

[@rogalsiu]

@@TEZProd, I have multiple smart plugs (Tuya, Tapo, Philips and some DIY made by myself using Sonoff Basic), so YES - smart plugs are for me, but they can't be used to make most home appliances "smart" as described in this video. Author either don't know what "smart appliance" mean or purposely mislead audience to gain more views.

[@olegander7597]

I have seen a LOT of Home Assistant automation. Everyone Talk about what they can automate. I am not so interested. I want the code and how to configure the setting. All you KZbinrs have extreme short of time showing it. If you are in the beginning of building a smart home I want simple example and then I can do more and more complicated issues. Thank you. Your videos are for experts. Not good.

[@HomeAutomationGuy]

That's great feedback, thank you. What if there was a link in each video description that took you to a blog post that explained each automation in more detail so you can recreate them at your own pace?

[@DancingLedge]

Now that sounds great as it would save trawling to find the right one