I recently embarked on a project to automate my laundry routine, and I must say, it’s been a fascinating journey! My wife and I wanted a system that would alert us when our washer cycle completed, so we could avoid waiting around or missing the end of the cycle. I decided to use a Wemo Insight smart plug to monitor the washer’s power consumption and track the different stages of the cycle based on amperage changes.
After some trial and error, I managed to set up an automation that detects when the washer cycle starts and ends. I created an input_select list to display the washer status, which includes options like ‘Washer Off,’ ‘Filling,’ ‘Cleaning,’ and ‘Final Spin.’ This allows us to keep track of the cycle progress right from our phones or the living room dashboard.
Here’s a quick overview of how I set it up:
- Monitoring Power Usage: The Wemo Insight plug tracks the washer’s power consumption, which changes during different cycle stages. I noted the amperage values for each stage to create a reliable automation.
- Input_Select Setup: I configured an input_select entity to display the washer’s current status. This involved creating a YAML file with the necessary options and initial state.
- Sensor Integration: I added a template sensor to pull the washer status from the input_select and display it in the frontend. This makes the status visible in the laundry room group dashboard.
- Automation Rules: Using Home Assistant’s automation capabilities, I linked the washer’s power usage changes to the input_select updates. When the washer turns off after an active cycle, it triggers a notification to alert us.
This setup has been a game-changer for us. No more guessing when the laundry is done! It’s also been a great learning experience, especially when troubleshooting the initial setup. The key was to carefully monitor the washer’s power patterns and adjust the automation rules accordingly.
If anyone has questions about setting up a similar system or needs help with their own projects, feel free to reach out! I’m happy to share more details or troubleshoot together. 
