As an enthusiastic user of openHAB and MQTT, I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation, and it’s truly fascinating! 
I’ve been experimenting with setting up a connection between two openHAB instances—one at home and another at my office—to remotely control my thermostat. This setup has been a great learning experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges.
The Setup
- MQTT Binding Installation: I installed the MQTT binding on both openHAB instances and set up an Embedded MQTT Broker on my home system. Both instances connect to this broker, creating a seamless communication channel.
- Topic Configuration: I configured the MQTT channels with state and command topics, reversing them between the two instances to ensure bidirectional communication. This allows me to change the temperature on one side and see the update almost instantly on the other.
The Challenge
While the basic communication works flawlessly, integrating the thermostat’s physical device into the system has been tricky. I linked the thermostat’s channel to the MQTT item, but it doesn’t update in all directions. Adjusting the follow profile settings hasn’t resolved the issue completely. For instance, changes made directly on the thermostat aren’t reflected in the remote item. This has been a bit frustrating, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn more about how MQTT and openHAB interact.
Logs and Insights
Looking at the debug logs, I noticed that state updates are being published but not as commands. This explains why reversing the state and command topics was necessary. However, I’m still unclear about how the follow profile handles state updates from the ThingHandler. Understanding this better could unlock a more efficient setup.
Learning and Sharing
This journey has been a fantastic way to deepen my understanding of MQTT and openHAB. I’d love to hear from others who have tackled similar projects or encountered these challenges. Have you successfully integrated remote thermostat control? What approaches did you take to ensure seamless communication in all directions?
Looking Ahead
I’m excited to continue exploring this setup and see where it leads. Whether it’s refining the MQTT configuration, experimenting with different profiles, or discovering new ways to integrate devices, there’s always something new to learn in the world of smart home automation. Let’s keep the conversation going and share our experiences! 
