Automating Lights at Sunset: My Journey with Google Home and Homey

Recently, I’ve been exploring ways to enhance my home automation setup, particularly focusing on lighting automation. One feature I’ve been keen on implementing is having my lights turn on automatically as it gets dark. While I’ve managed to set this up using Google Home, I’m curious to see if Homey can offer a more seamless experience.

I started by using Google Home’s scheduling feature, setting the lights to turn on an hour before sunset. It worked, but I wanted something more precise, maybe integrating a light sensor for real-time adjustments. I came across some discussions suggesting the use of a weather station app to detect darkness, but I’m not sure which one would be compatible with Homey.

In my research, I stumbled upon a helpful guide on using MQTT for data parsing, which I think could be useful for optimizing my setup. By integrating MQTT, I might be able to create a more responsive system that adjusts based on actual light levels rather than just time of day.

Overall, while there are some hurdles, the potential to create a smart, adaptive lighting system is exciting. I’m looking forward to experimenting more and sharing my progress as I go along!