As I embark on a home remodeling project, I’m on the lookout for budget-friendly smart blinds and locks that offer reliable performance. Currently, I’m using Neo smart blinds with roller shades, integrated with Alexa for seamless control. However, they aren’t natively Z-Wave or Zigbee, which sometimes leads to inconsistent performance. My current Schlage Z-Wave locks, while functional, have had their share of issues, including random battery failures and frequent disconnections from the Z-Wave network. After seven years of service, it’s clear they need an upgrade. I’m seeking solutions that don’t require constant monitoring but still fit within my budget. If anyone has recommendations or experiences with affordable yet dependable options, I’d greatly appreciate the insights!
In another vein, I’ve been exploring the integration of my KNX bus with Home Assistant, particularly with my Siemens kitchen appliances. I’ve set up an automation where turning on a KNX light switch also activates the extractor hood light in Home Assistant. This works perfectly when using the KNX switch directly. However, when manually turning the extractor hood light on and then attempting to switch it off via the KNX switch, the automation fails. It appears the status update in Home Assistant isn’t registering when the state remains the same. I’m curious if this is a known issue or if there’s a workaround to ensure the automation triggers reliably.
Additionally, I’ve been experimenting with Govee’s Candlemaking Round 2, which has been a delightful experience. Monitoring temperatures with precision has made the process much easier, and the results are stunning. I’m excited to share more details on this project soon!
If anyone has encountered similar challenges or has tips to share, please feel free to reach out. The community’s support has been invaluable, and I’m eager to contribute my experiences as well.