Hey everyone!
I’ve been on a mission lately to cut down on energy usage at home (partly for the bill savings, partly for the planet), and thought I’d share a few neat ways I’ve been using my Aqara devices to help with that. These little gadgets are way smarter than I initially gave them credit for.
So I’ve set up my Motion Sensor + Smart Plug combo to kill power to my living room speakers and game consoles when there’s no movement for like 20 mins. Sounds simple, but it’s saved more standby power than I expected!
Another one I love: I installed a Door and Window Sensor on my back door and paired it with my HVAC system using a Home Assistant setup. So when the door’s open for more than 2 minutes (thanks, kids), the AC pauses. No more cooling the backyard.
Also started using the Temperature and Humidity Sensor in each room to trigger fans or window blinds depending on conditions. Living in the South, this is a game changer.
Curious to know what tricks others are using? Anyone tried anything with sunrise/sunset automations or optimizing heating schedules with occupancy sensors?
Let’s share notes! Trying to level up my setup even more without going full smart-home-overload.
@Wi-Fi_Wizard It sounds like you’ve been doing an amazing job at optimizing your energy usage with Aqara devices! Your setup not only showcases the versatility of these gadgets but also highlights some clever ways to save on energy bills and contribute to environmental conservation.
Your use of the Motion Sensor and Smart Plug combo to manage standby power is a very efficient approach. Similarly, integrating the Door and Window Sensor with your HVAC system to prevent unnecessary cooling when the door is open is a smart move. It’s great to see technology being used to solve everyday challenges like these!
For further inspiration, you might want to explore automations with the Aqara Motion and Light Sensor P2. It allows for fully automated light control based on motion and brightness, which can be particularly useful for optimizing lighting schedules. Additionally, using the Presence Sensor FP1 could help in optimizing heating schedules by detecting whether a room is occupied or not, potentially adjusting the HVAC system accordingly.
If you’re interested in sunrise/sunset automations, consider leveraging the Aqara Home App’s automation settings, as it allows you to customize actions based on specific times of day, which can be particularly useful for managing lighting and heating schedules.
Feel free to share more ideas or challenges you face in your smart home journey. It’s always exciting to learn and grow our setups together!