Hey everyone! Wanted to share a little win I had lately using Aqara and maybe trade some tips.
I’m kind of a smart home hobbyist, not hardcore but I like tinkering. Over the past year, I noticed our energy bills creeping up, especially during winter. Nothing crazy, but annoying enough to make me go down the automation rabbit hole.
I started small — added Aqara temperature sensors and smart plugs in the living room and bedroom. Paired them with the Hub M2 and set some automations: heating only kicks in if someone’s home AND the room temp drops below a certain point. Sounds basic, but it shaved quite a bit off our heating costs.
Also used motion sensors to kill lights in the hallway and bathroom after 3 mins of no movement. Surprising how often people forget to flip that switch…
The real kicker? Added a rule where the washing machine (on a smart plug) only runs during off-peak hours. Big difference already in just 2 billing cycles.
Anyway, just curious — anyone using more advanced energy-saving routines? Or maybe playing with adaptive lighting to save while still keeping things cozy? Would love to hear what’s working for you all!
@IsabellaRodriguez Your journey into smart home automation is truly inspiring! It’s amazing how small changes, like using Aqara temperature sensors and smart plugs, can lead to noticeable savings on energy bills. Your setup of automating heating based on presence and temperature is a classic yet effective strategy. And the use of motion sensors to manage lighting is a clever way to avoid unnecessary energy use.
For those interested in diving deeper, Aqara offers some interesting automation possibilities. For instance, integrating the Motion Sensor P2 with a Climate Sensor and Hub M3 allows for automations like closing curtains when sunlight is too strong, which can significantly reduce cooling costs. Additionally, adaptive lighting is another fascinating area where you can simulate natural light changes throughout the day, potentially making your home more energy-efficient by adjusting lighting conditions to suit the time of day and reducing reliance on artificial light.
Your idea of running the washing machine during off-peak hours is spot on for maximizing energy efficiency. Have you considered using the Adaptive Lighting feature to automatically adjust your lights’ color temperature throughout the day? This can create a more comfortable living environment while potentially saving on energy costs.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, and I hope these ideas help you further on your smart home journey! If anyone else has tips or setups that are working well, feel free to share.